Sangli - Brief background

Sangli is a famous district in the western region of Maharashtra. It is well known for its social, cultural and political activities. A number of famous stage artists, writers, singers, poets were born here. Famous dramatists, the late Vishnudas Bhave, Govind Ballal Deval, Krishnaji Prabhakar Khadilkar and
K. P. Chapkhane are from Sangli.

The person, who created history in drama by his acting and singing, is the late Narayanrao Rajhans alias, "Bal Gandharva" who was born at Naghthane, a village in Tasgaon Taluka of Sangli district. The late Dinanath Mangeshkar made a major contribution in development of drama theatres in this region. The versatile playback singer Asha Bhosale is a daughter of this land. 

The famous lokakala [ folk art] artist "Lavani Samrat" Late "Patthe Bapurao", is from the village of Rethare Harnax, Taluka Walwa. Some of the townships famous for lokakala,  are Rethare , Kameri, Islampur, Kalammawadi, Kupwad, Kavalapur Ghatnandre, Kavathe Ekand, Tasgaon, Vaiphale, Vadiye, Raibag. The "Gaj Nrutya" and "Dhangari Poems" of Kavathe Mahankal and Atpadi Taluka are well known. Famous classical singer the late Abdul Karim Khan is from Miraj. Miraj is the birth place of other famous singers, the late Vinayakbuva Patwardhan, Hirabai Badodekar, Saraswati Rane and the late Vishnu Digambar Paluskar to name a few.

Miraj and Sangli are twin cities. The world famous Indian musical instrument the Sitar is made in Miraj and their quality is world class. The craftsmen who make them have got their art from their ancestors, and their skill is well known. Musical instruments manufactured here are exported all over the world.