Answer: Dashavatara is an old folk theatre tradition of the Konkan (especially Sindhudurg) and Goa.
- It is based on the ten incarnations (dashavatara) of Lord Vishnu, and stories from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranas are presented.
- It is performed at night during village temple festivals (jatras), usually in the open space of the temple.
- The performance begins with the Sutradhar, worship of Ganapati and the entry of Sarasvati, followed by the main story.
- Traditionally, all roles, including female roles, are played by men; the actors do their own make-up and costumes.
- There is no written script: actors improvise dialogues on the spot, accompanied by harmonium, pakhawaj and cymbals.
- Dashavatara keeps alive folk culture, devotion and local traditions, and is a source for the social and cultural history of the region.
