Fri Feb 21 05:50:44 UTC 2025: ## Padma Shri Recipient Highlights Enduring Gondhali Folk Art
**Bengaluru, February 21, 2025** – The recent Padma Shri award to veteran artiste Venkappa Ambaji Sugatekar has brought renewed attention to Gondhali, a centuries-old folk art form thriving in Karnataka and surrounding states. Gondhali involves all-night performances of mythical tales and songs, primarily centered on goddesses Amba Bhavani and Yallamma, drawn from the Puranas and Mahabharata. Performed by groups of 3-5 artistes, the tradition utilizes instruments and incorporates rituals like *arati*.
Historical records, including the 12th-century *Manasollasa* encyclopedia and *Nrutya Ratnavali*, document Gondhali’s existence, associating it with the Bhil community. While the art form’s practice spans several communities, the singers predominantly hail from the Gondhali Samaj, comprising over 90 sub-castes, with approximately seven actively involved in performance. Traditionally a male-only art, Gondhali is now seeing some female participation.
The art form, passed down through generations via oral tradition, has adapted over time. While core elements remain, modern-day stories and literature now find their way into performances, alongside traditional Amba Bhajans and Puranic narratives. The singers largely receive training through apprenticeship, learning from family members, with no formal training system in place. The Gondhali community, historically linked to royal courts in the region, continues to perform across Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu.
First Piper 