Essays

Before the formalization of history and literature, there were the Shahirs—poet-performers who gave voice to the spirit of the people. This section sets the stage for the powade tradition, highlighting the raw, oral, and emotional depth of Shaahirii expression as...

Tracing the roots of powade, this section explores how Shahirs became the torchbearers of oral history in Maharashtra. It unpacks the evolution of this poetic form—from celebratory ballads of Maratha valor to instruments of protest and identity—and their enduring relevance...

This essay frames powade as more than performance—it’s a living archive of Maharashtra’s social and political struggles. By capturing everyday resistance and community pride, powade becomes a grassroots historiography, telling stories often left out of written records.

Not all powade sound the same. This section delves into the variety of powade forms—religious, political, heroic—and the instruments that animate them, such as the daf, dholki, and tuntune. It’s an exploration of how rhythm, voice, and form come together...

Focusing on the groundbreaking work of Kavibhushan Shahir Pralhadrai Jamkhedkar, this study examines his contributions to Marathi folk literature and performance. His thesis reflects a deep understanding of the cultural, musical, and political dimensions of powade, bridging artistic passion with...

Drawing on the work of historian Prachi Deshpande, this essay re-examines how knowledge, power, and identity were reshaped during the colonial encounter. It challenges conventional historical narratives by showing how cultural forms like powade offered counter-histories that questioned colonial epistemologies.