Pune will witness its first-ever performance of Dashavtar, a form of traditional folk theater from the Konkan region, at the Pune International Center (PIC) on November 8 at 7 pm. The show, which is part of the three-day Dasavatari Mahotsav festival from November 7 to 9, will feature popular artist Dada Rani Kunaskar and his band.
Dashavtar is believed to be one of the oldest folk traditions of Maharashtra, being around 800 years old. From Matsya to Kalki, the work depicts the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu through a combination of devotional narrative, music, dance and dialogue. The theater is known for its stunning makeup, colorful masks, and elaborate costumes.
Speaking about bringing this art form to Pune, the show’s producer Alok Thakkar said: “This is not the kind of theatrical performance that audiences in Pune are used to. Traditionally, Dashavtar is performed in temple courtyards after dinner in Konkani villages, where families gather to watch. Pune will now experience this art form for the first time, accompanied by live music being played at the venue.”
“I have been performing Dashavtar for 34 years. I am the third generation Dashavtar artist in my family. Although it has long been popular in the Konkan and Sindhudurg regions, the recent film based on Dashavtar has helped introduce the art to a wider audience. Through Mahotsav, we hope to showcase the richness and beauty of our culture in Pune,” said Kunaskar, who leads the troupe.
Highlighting the art, he added: “It is not just about Vishnu avatars, it is about all the gods and their avatars, and our main goal is to introduce the new generation to our mythology, traditions and culture. Another important aspect that this brings is social enlightenment.”
Kunaskar also highlighted how the act is suitable for all age groups and can serve as a bridge between generations.
Sharing his thoughts on Dashavatar artists, Thakkar said, “As a festival producer, I would like many other art forms to come forward and collaborate with us. We would like to take them to Punekar so that they can enjoy diverse art forms. Be it Lavani or Dashavatar.”
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The event is being organized by Urbanly Media in association with Siddharth Menon, the lead actor of Dasavatar.
Tickets for this event are available at the link below
https://puneinternationalcentre.us10.list-manage.com/track/click u=bf76bb6b342010e4a3eb7cf03&id=c53d7e919f&e=463f6fe056
(Tags for translation) Pune Dashavtar
