Pandavani

: Songs and Stories of the Pandavas) is a folk singing style involving narration of tales from the ancient Indian epic Mahabharata.

[2] Among contemporary artists, Ritu Verma is popular[3] along with others such as Shantibai Chelak[4] and Usha Barle.

Traditional Modern Pandavani, literally means stories or songs of the Pandavas,[7] the legendary brothers of Mahabharat, and involves the lead singer, enacting and singing an episode (called '|prasang) from the epic with an ektara or a tambura (stringed musical instrument), decorated with small bells and peacock feathers in one hand and sometimes kartal (a pair of cymbals) on another.

With the use of mimicry and rousing theatrical movements, once in a while the singer-narrator breaks into an impromptu dance at the completion of an episode or to celebrate a victory in the story being retold.

[10] Each singer adds his or her unique style to the singing, sometimes adding local words, improvising and offering critique on current happenings and insights through the story.