Malhar Koli

on
The Malhar Koli also known as Panbhare Koli is a Subcaste of the Koli caste found in the Indian states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka. The Malkar used to work as Yeskar and they were Subedar or fortkeeper of Sinhagad, Torna and Rajgad forts during time of Shivaji. Their local traditional dance is Tarpa Dance in Maharashtra. they worship the Waghowa devi which is a lion goddess.

Origin

The name of Malhar Kolis is probably derived from either (i) the Dravidian word 'Mala' meaning hill or (ii) from a description of the tribe as 'Kolis worshiping the god Malhar.

Clans

Here are some of the clans of Malhar Kolis:,
  1. Bhoye
  2. Balshi
  3. Bodle
  4. Babar
  5. Barad
  6. Chakar
  7. Bhavar
  8. Bhomte
  9. Bhoir
  10. Basvant
  11. Dhapasti
  12. Dhangade
  13. Dongarkar
  14. Dumade
  15. Dalvi
  16. Gahade
  17. Gavade
  18. Golim
  19. Gadag
  20. Ghatal
  21. Kharpade
  22. Jimbal
  23. Jadhav
  24. Harke
  25. Hadal
  26. Khatali
  27. Kamadi
  28. Katar
  29. Kathe
  30. Karmode
  31. Mor
  32. Mali
  33. Lilke
  34. Lade
  35. Kirkire
  36. Patara
  37. Narale
  38. Madake
  39. Matera
  40. Morghe
  41. Sumda
  42. Shelkar
  43. Savare
  44. Shironde
  45. Ravate
  46. Tandel
  47. Talhe
  48. Sambre
  49. Surum
  50. Sagane
  51. Wayade
  52. Umbarkar
  53. Tope
  54. Tilivada
  55. Tambade
  56. Wangha
  57. Welpade
  58. Warkhande
  59. Wardha
  60. Satav: this clan of Malhar Kolis is the hereditary priest of the Mahalaxmi temple of Dahanu which was built by royal Koli family of Jawhar state.

Classification

The Malhar Kolis are classified as Scheduled Tribe by the Government of Maharashtra. In some area, Malhar Kolis classified as Other Backward Class, or OBC caste by Government of Gujarat.

Dance culture

The Malhar Kolis have several dance form to enjoy their marriage and holiday season. Here are some details:,
  1. Tarpa Dance: This dance is called so because the wind musical instrument played is Tarpa. While performing this dance, the tarpa player dances in the centre and is encircled by 30 to 100 men and women holding hands on shoulders and hips of their partner in order to form a chain. The circle is known as "Peran", which is led by a person known as gholya who gives rhythm with a stick having bells (Ghungroo). This stick is known as "ghol kathi". Nearly 15 to 20 steps and movements are changed, while performing the dance. This also means that the tarpa player changes to all the varieties of tunes, which helps the dancers to change steps. The Malhar Kolis perform this dance during Diwali (festival of lights) season. There are no special costumes for the dance. Men wear shorts or loin cloth, and dance with or without a shirt or banian. The women folk wear a Sari and a Blouse, their normal dress.
  2. Gauri Dance: Young boys and girls take part in this dance. This dance is performed mostly during Ganesh festival which is popularly known as "Gauri Ganapati" among the Malhar Kolis. "Dholki" -a longish drum is played during this dance. The Dholki player usually plays "Lavni" a sought of fast rhythm to warm up himself and signals the dancers to be alert before the beginning of the dance. Then they dance around the drummer, who usually faces the east, the direction of life.
  3. Tabala Dance: This dance is only performed by males. Instruments played during this dance are: Ghungroo, Tadpady, Dholki. Two males play the drum and tadpadya respectively. To begin with one of the dancers from the circle starts singing. He is accompanied by other dancers. It is only after this, the drums are beaten. There are nearly 8 to 10 varieties of beats (talas), Changing of rhythm or beats results into changing of steps. This dance is performed after sowing during the rainy season, until the harvest, i.e., during Diwali festival season. All the dancers love to wear ghungroos (bells) around their ankle. Thus, there is accurate co-ordination of the drum beats and the side rhythm of the tinkling bells.
  4. Kambad Dance: The famous Kambad dance of the Malhar Kolis is performed by male members only. They are accompanied by the singing women, who usually sit or stand besides the dancing circle. All male dancers wear ghungroo around their ankle. While this dance is being performed one or two dancers wear costumes of women or even act like insane personnel and crack jokes to entertain the witnessing crowd. Our respondents said that this dance is performed to please the God of rains to send rains. This reflects in the songs sung by them. Like the Warlis, the Malhar Kolis also perform this fertility dance to please the goddess of grains-Kansari, to give them plenty of crops. This dance is performed at the onset of monsoon to request the clouds to fertilize, the seads sown.

Comments

Post a Comment