Bhagavatamela: A forgotten Marathi Musical Play Tradition from Thanjavur (The Hindu)

Bhagavata-Mela, a 500 years old art form from Thanjavur with Marathi libretto (words of the musical play) sung to Carnatic music, is perhaps the southern cultural offshoot of the Marathi Sangeet Natak (musical play) traditions.

Please read the complete article from ‘The Hindu’ at the following link.

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You may also be aware that during the Maratha rule (1674-1885 AD) over Thanjavur, the traditional art form of Bharatanatyam  was rejuvenated. The court artists under the Maratha rulers composed and directed many dance items and their contributions are held in high esteem and are performed even in present day dance recitals. A few thousand padams (verses) composed in Marathi during the Maratha rule are found in the form of palm-leaf manuscripts in the Telugu script some of which can be found preserved in the Saraswati Mahal Library at Thanjavur.

The “NATYA VIDYA SANGAM” is entirely devoted to this traditional art. The contact details of the Sangam are as given below:

Bharatham R. Mahalingam, Artistic Director, Ret. Village Administrative Officer, Middle Street, Melattur.

Email: mali@melatturbhagavatamela.org    bhagavatamela.melattur@gmail.com

We may try to support them to the extent possible. Let us also write a few lines in appreciation which will go a long way to encourage them to continue with this great tradition that they are carrying out against all odds.

If the readers have any more information on this subject i.e. the Marathi language and culture in Thanjavur, they may kindly share the same here for the benefit of our readers.

– Amrutyatri Group

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