About Maharashtra

1. MAHARASHTRA
Prepared By: Ananya Anvesha
Class: 8A

2. Topics Covered…….
◦Tribes
◦Attire
◦Cuisine
◦Folk Music
◦Dance

3. Ethinicity
◦ The Marathi people or Maharashtrians are an Indo Aryan hnic group of India that inhabits the Maharashtra
region and as well as some border districts such as Belgaon and Karwar of Karanataka and Madgaon of Goa
states in western India.
◦ Their language, Marathi, is part of the southern group of Indo-Aryan languages.
◦ Although their history goes back more than two millennia, the community came to prominence when
Maratha warriors under Shivaji Maharaj established the Maratha Empire in 1674.

4. Tribes
◦ Artisan castes: There are several artisan castes such as Sutar (carpenters), Mali (florists/gardeners), Kumbhar
(potters), Sonar (swarnakar/ goldsmiths). Teli (oil pressers), Gurav (temple priests) and Nabhik (barbers).
These communities fall under the Other Backward Class (OBC) classification.
◦ Agri Bhandari
◦ Brahmin
◦ Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu- Traditionally considered to be a well-educated Kshatriya-Brahmin
community.
◦ Dhangar - Today it is classified as a Nomadic Tribe by the Government of India.Maratha The Marathas were
traditionally considered to be Kshatriya in the Hindus. The founder of the Maratha Empire, Shivaji, belonged
to this caste.
◦ Matang
◦ Pathare Prabhu Wani

5. Attire
◦ Mens: Dhoti and phetta is the most common dress of Maharashtra men. Wearing dhoti dates back to
historical times; it is in fact part of cultural heritage of the state.
◦ A shirt or a trouser is worn along with dhoti; sometimes they prefer to wear a bandi over their shirts. This, in
combination with a turban or "pheta“ adorns their heads. Gandhi topi is to be worn on special and religious
occasions.
◦ Dhoti is generally made of a piece of cotton that is about 2-3 meters long. The turban is also known by the
names "patka", "rumal" etc.
◦ The style of wearing differs from region to region. The Brahmin men allow at least 5 tucks of dhoti intheir
waist with two tucks in front and rear. Kolhapuri brand is the most famous. As economy of Maharashtra is
still agrarian, preference is given to ethnic footwear.

7. Footwear

12. Cuisine

13. Diversified Types
(Meat Preparation)

14. Diversified Types
(Soups)

15. Diversified Types
(Sweets)

17. Side Dishes

18. Folk Music
◦ Abhangas- Basically in Sanskrit devotion to god/goddess.
◦ Bhajans
◦ Lavani- Music for tamhasa dance.
◦ Gondhal- Rebellious tune for gods and goddesses.
◦ Powada- Dhangar tribe music.

19. Folk Dance