Lavanyavati | Story of Lavani Through the Years | A Kali Billi Production

About

This production explores the evolution of Lavani, Maharashtra’s vibrant folk tradition, through the lens of history, gender, and cultural transformation. Devised in collaboration with Lavani and Tamasha artists, Lavanyavati traces Lavani’s journey from its early 19th-century roots in Sangeet Bari and Tamasha to its contemporary presence in metropolitan cultural spaces.

Blending live Lavani performances with oral histories, archival materials, and interdisciplinary collaborations—including work with Agents of Ishq and filmmaker Paromita Vohra—Lavanyavati examines the figure of the Lavanyavati (the Lavani performer) as a site of resilience and reinvention. Originally commissioned by the Serendipity Arts Festival 2022, the production has since captivated audiences across India, garnering praise from artists and scholars alike. Presented by Kali Billi Productions under the direction of Savitri Medhatul, Lavanyavati continues to illuminate the dynamic intersections of tradition, performance, and feminist discourse.

About Kali Billi Productions

Kali Billi Productions (KBP) is a theatre company based in Mumbai. Savitri Medhatul the founder of Kali Billi Productions is a researcher, theatre maker and a documentary filmmaker. She has been collaborating with Lavani and Tamasha artists since 2005. Over the years KBP has produced a documentary film and a theatre production called, Sangeet Bari which ran successfully for seven years. KBP has also produced a Lavani performance, ‘Lavani Queens’ in 2018 which was commissioned by Serendipity Arts festival.

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