Mar 25 2025 to Mar 25 2025 7:30 p.m.

EVENT HAS ENDED

Price: Rs 500 Book/Buy

Where

Jagriti Theatre

Jagriti Theatre, Varthur Rd, Near Adarsh Palm Meadows, Ramagondanahalli, Whitefield 560066

Event Description

Lavanyavati was conceptualised and designed by Savitri Medhatul.

Lavanyavati is a performance born from a collaboration with Lavani and Tamasha artists, tracing the vibrant journey of Lavani through the years. Rooted in Maharashtra’s rich folk tradition, Lavani has continuously evolved — shaped by shifting social, political, and cultural landscapes, as well as changing audience tastes. Not only has it endured, but it has flourished, becoming an integral part of contemporary cultural identity.

The performance follows Lavani’s path from its origins in the traditional forms of Tamasha and Sangeet Bari, once performed primarily in rural Maharashtra and smaller towns, to its dynamic presence in metro cities like Mumbai.

At the heart of this piece is an exploration of the word Lavanyavati — meaning "the one who performs Lavani." The performance embarks on a journey spanning from the early 1800s to the present day, viewing Lavani and Lavanyavati through the powerful lenses of legacy, gender, and modern feminism.  

Crafted as a documentary theatre experience, the performance blends live Lavani songs with oral histories, archival materials like family photographs, video interviews, and contemporary collaborations — including works with Agents of Ishq and Paromita Vohra.

Lavanyavati was first commissioned by the Serendipity Arts Festival in Goa and premiered there in December 2022 to widespread acclaim. Esteemed artists such as Shubha Mudgalji, Aneesh Pradhanji, and Geeta Chandranji were among the audience, contributing to the performance’s celebrated debut.

Since its opening, Lavanyavati has toured multiple cities, including performances at The Women’s Theatre Festival at NCPA in Mumbai, Feet On Earth Festival in Hyderabad, Kalarang Festival at Ravindra Bhavan in Margao, Remembering Veenapani Festival at Adishakti in Pondicherry, NMACC and Prithvi Theatre in Mumbai.

These performances were attended by eminent personalities from the field of theatre, film, music and dance like Naseeruddin Shahji, Ratna Pathak Shahji, Jackie Shroffji, Ali Fazalji, Vijay Kenkreji, Shafad Khanji, and as mentioned earlier Shubha Mudgalji, Aneesh Pradhanji, Geeta Chandraji.