Gondhal: India’s Official Entry for 2027 Oscars [Prelims Bits]

21 Sep 2026

Tags: Prelims   Current events of national and international importance

Source: The Indian Express

  • Marathi film Gondhal, directed by Santosh Davakhar, was selected by the Film Federation of India (FFI) as India’s official entry for the 99th Academy Awards (2027).
  • The film is a thriller centred on the traditional Gondhal ritual and folk-performance tradition of Maharashtra.
  • Gondhal: Traditional Maharashtrian folk ritual/performance, traditionally associated with devotional worship and performed by Gondhali communities.
  • Language: Marathi.
  • 99th Academy Awards: Scheduled for 2027.
  • Selection body for India’s Oscar entry: Film Federation of India (FFI).
  • Gondhal won:
    • Best Director & Best Cinematographer — 24th Pune International Film Festival (PIFF), 2026.
    • Silver Peacock for Best Director — 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), 2025.
  • Gondhal tradition combines music, dance, narration and ritual performance, traditionally conducted in honour of deities such as Renuka/Yellamma and Bhavani in Maharashtra.

Prelims Question

Q1. With reference to the Gondhal tradition, consider the following statements:

  1. Gondhal is associated with Maharashtra's traditional folk and ritual performance practices.
  2. The performance may combine music, dance, narration and devotional elements.
  3. Gondhal is traditionally performed exclusively as a secular theatrical form, without association with religious worship.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2 and 3 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1 and 3 only

Answer: (a)

Explanation:

  • Statement 1 is Correct: Gondhal is a traditional Maharashtrian folk ritual/performance tradition.
  • Statement 2 is Correct: It integrates music, dance, narration and ritual elements.
  • Statement 3 is Incorrect: Gondhal has a strong devotional and ritual dimension, traditionally associated with worship of deities.