About The Event
Bohada is a vibrant folk tradition celebrated by the Thakur, Katkari, and other tribal communities of Maharashtra, particularly in the Palghar, Thane, and Nashik districts. It is a colorful mask festival that blends devotion, mythology, and performance. The word “Bohada” refers to a procession of deities, and the festival is marked by masked dance dramas depicting stories from Hindu epics such as the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Puranas. Villagers wear intricately crafted masks representing gods, demons, and animals, and perform through dance, music, and dialogue, often lasting two to three nights.
Bohada serves as a way for the tribal communities to explore rural and personal issues, express faith, preserve oral traditions, and strengthen social unity. It is not merely a performance, but a sacred celebration of identity, storytelling, and ancestral heritage, where the divine and the human coexist through art.
A distinctive element of Bohada is its unique dance style, which combines freestyle folk movements with martial art–inspired actions. The performers’ energetic leaps, spins, and rhythmic footwork reflect both devotional fervor and warrior-like strength, capturing the dynamic spirit of the tradition.
