Study of the Economic and Social Problems of Folk Artists

Indian culture is primarily reflected through folk arts. Along with regional diversity, every state in India has a variety of folk art forms. Folk arts play a significant role in creating unity among different castes and religions in society and bring together the cultural talents of the Indian people. Through folk arts, people from different parts of India are connected with one another. Folk arts reflect the culture and history of every community and are preserved from generation to generation. They provide joy and satisfaction in people’s lives, enhance enthusiasm, and promote mutual respect. Indian folk arts include both drama and music, such as Tamasha and Lavani in Maharashtra, Yakshagana in Karnataka, Nautanki in Uttar Pradesh, Garba in Gujarat, and Kakkarissi Natakam in Kerala. Maharashtra is culturally very rich, where folk arts are viewed not only as a means of entertainment but also as tools for social awareness and livelihood generation. Folk art forms such as Kirtan, Tamasha, Dashavatara, Dandar, Jagaran-Gondhal, and Bharud are widely practiced.However, after globalization, revolutionary changes have occurred in entertainment media. The rapid development of modern entertainment sources such as television channels, cinema theatres, and auditoriums has reduced the importance of folk arts, resulting in a decline in audiences. Consequently, the economic problems of folk artists are increasing day by day. Some folk arts have remained limited to specific regions; for example, Dashavatara is confined mainly to the Konkan region, while Dandar is limited to the Vidarbha region, particularly in Gadchiroli, Bhandara, and Gondia districts.Due to modern entertainment media, performances of Dandar have declined, and this art form has not expanded to other parts of Maharashtra. Today, the authentic folk arts of Maharashtra are facing serious challenges. Therefore, this research paper attempts to study the major folk art forms in Maharashtra and analyze the economic and social problems faced by folk artists.