Bhavai is an ancient performing art form of Gujarat. It is a form of Gujarati folk theater. The themes and the techniques of production have the basic features of a folk art form. The main Bhavai performers are members of the Nayak community.
Asait, the founder of Bhavali traditional theater, is said
to have developed 360 veshas (playlets) based on different themes. Of these,
very few have survived and even fewer still survive in their original form.
The themes are religious, mythological, historical, and
socio-political. Shankara-Bhiladi, Tadaka, Rama-Lakshmana, Vamana Bali and
Kano Gopi, among others, provide the mythological themes. Historical themes
include those of Jasamaodan, Suro-Rathod, Ramadeo Pir, Juthan, Chel-Batau,
Kajoda, Bhagtani, Zanda-Zulan, Miya-Bibi, Bajanio, Darjee, Saraniyo and the
like.
The plays on religious themes are mainly performed in the
temples. The most popular theme is that of Kalika. There is a belief that of Kalika.
There is a belief that Kalika was once pleased with a Bhavai performer and gave
him a bhungal (wind instrument) and chunari (scarf). Ever since then, bhungal
has assumed great importance. Tragalas, who are devotees of Ambika and Kalika,
play Bhavai for eight months in a year. They observe celibacy throughout this
period.
The performance beings with prayers to Ganesha and Mataji.
The actor plays the role of Ganesha by keeping a plate in front of his mouth.
Other characters in the drama move in and form a circle. The entry of the
performers is known as avanu, which is followed by the enactment of roles by
various actors. Both the actors and the musicians sing the songs in chorus.
Rangalo is the pivotal character of Bhavai. Rangalo is the vidushaka
(comedian) of Sanskrit plays who combines the roles of comedian, conductor,
editor and critic. Rangalo enters the stage at any moment, starts performing
any role, talks to the people, acts like a spokesman and disappears from the
scene. The unique character of Rangalo is also known by other names such as
Dagalo, Mashkaro or Advo.
The non-religious productions of Bhavai do not require any
specific stage setting. They can be performed in the open. The spectators sit
around and the actors perform amidst them. Female roles are played by male
actors. The makeup and the costumes are suggestive rather than real. The use of
props is minimal, limited to objects like umbrellas or caps.
The artists are trained to perform under any circumstances. Often
a torch, help by a spectator in a rural situation, provides the light for the Bhavai.
Absence of modern lighting effects comes in the way of an effective
performance. Similarly, sound effects are created with a limited number of
musical instruments such as bhungal, tabla, khansi joda and the harmonium. The success
of the play, as a result, depends to a very great extent on the actors, who
take every performance as a challenge.
Through satire, song and dance, Bhavai has been entertaining
and educating people in the villages in the remote parts of Gujarat for the
last 500 years.