Every festive occasion is accompanied by song, music
and dance in Maharashtra. Talking about the music of Maharashtra won't
complete without the mention of Natya Sangeet, numerous folk songs and
its great saint poets. Although music in Maharashtra like Marathi
literature has an ancient tradition, the popularity of classical music
in Maharashtra began through Gwalior. Miraj town of Sangli district is
known as the 'town of music'. The world famous Indian musical instrument
the Sitar is made in this town.
Folk songs are an inseparable part of the daily lives of the rural
Maharashtra. Folk forms like lavani, nautanki and tamasha music are very
famous. However, a lot of these art forms are dying out as performers
are finding it difficult to sustain.
Amongst the saint poets, Jnandev, Namdev, Tukaram, Jani and Soyara are
imorptant to mention. They believed in the fusion of Bhakti (devotion)
with Jnana (knowledge). They taught to worship and merge into oneness
with the God.
