Lavani is a dance form in Maharashtra performed on public stages and popular for its erotic nature. It is a performative tradition practiced by a certain set of communities consisting of interactive gestures, and songs, and noted for its biting dialogues often toned with socio-political satire. The dancers are always agile and attentive to the audience’s reactions.

Sudhakar Olwe’s photography is that of empathy. His photographs cover almost two decades of the communities who have been part of performative troupes, photographing the artists’ on and off-stage lives meticulously. He offers a deeply poignant perspective on the lives of this fringe ‘community’ struggling to survive in this postmodern world.