Maharashtra: Powada Storytelling Experience With Transfers

Discover the powerful storytelling tradition of Powada, one of Maharashtra's best-known folk performance forms, through a live cultural presentation in Mumbai.

The experience introduces guests to the Shahiri tradition, in which historical and heroic narratives are presented through energetic singing, rhythmic music, dramatic narration and expressive performance. Powada developed as a Marathi ballad tradition celebrating courage and the deeds of historical figures, particularly Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and other figures associated with Maharashtra's history.

Guests attend a curated live performance featuring a traditional folk artist or small troupe, accompanied by instruments such as dholki, taal and manjeera. The storytelling is followed by an interactive cultural explanation covering the origins of Powada, the role of the Shahir and how oral traditions helped preserve historical memory.

Nehru Centre has previously hosted Maharashtra folk programmes incorporating Powada alongside other forms such as Lavani, Koli dance and Gondhal, making the auditorium a documented Mumbai venue for this type of cultural programming. Nehru Centre Mumbai

Meeting Instructions:

Guests should report 30 minutes before the scheduled activity at the designated meeting point.