Overview

• The Maharashtra government will establish an independent research centre at Mumbai’s P L Deshpande Kala Academy to support in-depth study of the state’s experimental arts.
• The centre will be named after Padma Shri recipient Shahir Krishnarao Sable in recognition of his impact on Marathi folk traditions.
• A Mantralaya meeting on June 19 saw Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar direct officials to draft a comprehensive blueprint for the facility.
• The Department of Cultural Affairs has already documented folk forms such as shahiri, powada, jagran, gondhal, tamasha, vag natya, dashavatari, bharud and keertan in audio-visual formats through university collaborations.
• The initiative is designed to benefit undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral scholars from Maharashtra and beyond interested in researching these cultural art forms.