Question

Read the following extract and answer the questions below :

Dashavatara Theatre: Dashavatara is part of the folk theatre in Maharashtra. Dashavatara shows are presented in the regions of Konkan and Goa after harvesting season is over. The stories presented in these shows are based on the 10 incarnations of Vishnu, namely Matsya, Koorma, Varaha, Narsimha, Wamana, Parashurama, Ram, Krishna, Buddha and Kalki. At the beginning of the show Sutradhara, the narrator invokes Lord Ganesha, the destroyer of obstacles. The method of acting, make-up, costumes in Dashavatara shows is set by the tradition. The show is mostly musical but sometimes there may be a few spontaneous dialogues. The characters representing gods use wooden masks. The show ends by breaking dahihandi, an earthen pot of curds, followed by aarati, singing praises of the God.  In the 18th century Shyamji Naik Kale started a phad, of Dashavatara artists which used to perform all over Maharashtra. Vishnudas Bhave, the pioneer of Marathi theatre staged mythological plays by introducing some modifications in the Dashavatara style. Thus, the origins of the Marathi theatre can be traced to Dashavatara tradition.

1. In which state Dashavatara is part of folk theatre?
2. To whom the narrator invokes at the beginning of the show?
3. The form of Dashavatara folk theatre. Explain.

Answer 1

1. Dashavatara is part of the folk theatre in Maharashtra.

2. The narrator invokes Lord Ganesha, the destroyer of obstacles at the beginning of the show.

3. Dashavatara is part of the folk theatre in Maharashtra. Dashavatara shows are presented in the regions of Konkan and Goa after harvesting season is over. The stories presented in these shows are based on the 10 incarnations of Vishnu, namely Matsya, Koorma, Varaha, Narsimha, Wamana, Parashurama, Ram, Krishna, Buddha and Kalki. In the 18th century Shyamji Naik Kale started a phad*, of Dashavatara artists which used to perform all over Maharashtra.