tamasha

Tamasha is a form of traditional Marathi folk theatre from Maharashtra in western India. It blends music, dance, and drama, and is often performed by traveling troupes in villages and towns. The performances typically feature Lavani songs, lively dance sequences, and improvisational elements, with audience interaction. The themes cover romance, humor, and social issues, and contemporary Tamasha may address modern life while drawing on traditional motifs. It has historically been staged at fairs and festivals and remains practiced in parts of Maharashtra and neighboring regions.

The term tamasha also means "show," "spectacle," or "farce" in Marathi and Hindi. In Indian English, tamasha can refer to an ostentatious display or melodramatic scene, sometimes with negative connotations. The word is used both to describe the form itself and to characterize dramatic or sensational events.

Tamasha has also been used in popular culture as the title of a 2015 Indian film directed by Imtiaz Ali, starring Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone. The Hindi-language romantic drama focuses on a man who learns to live authentically after meeting a woman who inspires him. The film's music was composed by A.R. Rahman. The title alludes to the concept of life as a tamasha, or a grand spectacle.