Folk Theatre is an important component of the subject Rajasthan Art & Culture, reflecting the traditional dramatic expressions of the people of Rajasthan. These performances combine music, dance, dialogue, and acting to present social, religious, and historical themes before the audience. In this section, we will study major forms of folk theatre such as Khyal, Gawari, Rammat, Tamasha, Swang, Leelas (Ramlila and Raslila), Nautanki, Chaar Bait, Bhawai, and Puppet (Kathputli).
Traditional Folk Theatre Forms of Rajasthan
- Folk theatre refers to theatrical forms developed for the entertainment of the common people.
- They are simple, unpretentious, and closely connected with folk life.
- Stage – Village square, temple premises, chabutra (platform), or open courtyard.
KHYAL(ख्याल)
- Music-dominant Folk Theatre
- Historical, religious, and mythological stories are presented through verse-based songs
- Period of prevalence – 18th century
Major Forms of Khyal
Kuchamani Khyal
- Founder – Lachhiram
- Compositions – Chand–Neelgiri, Rao Ridmal, Goga Chauhan, Meera Mangal
- Famous Artist – Ugamraj
- Form similar to opera style, performed on an open stage
- Male performers play female roles
- Instruments – Dhol, Sarangi, Shehnai, Dholak
Shekhawati (Chirawa) Khyal
- Region – Sikar, Khandela, Chirawa
- Prominent Artists – Nanuram, Dooliya Rana (disciple)
- Compositions – Heer–Ranjha, Harishchandra, Bhartari, Dhola–Marvan, Alha Dev
- Instruments – Harmonium, Sarangi, Shehnai, Flute, Nagada, Dholak
Hela Khyal
- Region – Dausa, Lalsot, Sawai Madhopur
- The practice of raising long and high calls, known as “Hela dena”, is its identity
- Initially, Bam (large nagada) is played
- Instrument – Naubat
Kanhaiya Khyal
- Region – Karauli, Sawai Madhopur, Dholpur, Bharatpur, Dausa
- Originally prevalent among the Meena community
- The main narrative is called “Kahan”
- Main character – “Mediya”
Turra–Kalangi Khyal
- Major Centre – Ghosunda, Chittorgarh, Nimbahera, Neemuch
- Saint Tukanagir (Hindu) and Shah Ali (Muslim)
- Beginning in Rajasthan – Sahedu Singh (Turra) and Hamid Beg (Kalangi)
- Symbolic Meaning –
- Turra → Shiva
- Kalangi → Parvati
- Features –
- Poetic debate, known as “Dangal”
- Dialogues are called “Bol”
- Non-commercial folk theatre
- Two stages placed face-to-face, about 15–20 feet high
- Audience also participates in the performance
- Main Instrument – Chang
- Famous Artists – Jaidayal Soni, Chetram, Hamid Beg, Tarachand, Thakur Onkarsingh
Jaipuri Khyal
- Female roles are performed by women themselves
- Balanced integration of poetry, music, dance, and acting
- Examples – Jogi–Jogan, Kaan Gujari, Miyan–Bibu, Pathan, Rasili Tambolan
- Ali Bakhshi Khyal – Alwar
GAWARI
- A religious folk theatre of the Bhils of the Mewar region
- India’s only folk theatre performed during daytime
- Based on the Shiva-Bhasmasura legend
- Commencement –
- Bhadrapada Krishna Pratipada (the day after Raksha Bandhan)
- Permission is taken by the Bhopa from Kheda Devi
- Duration – 45 days
- Restrictions –
- Prohibition on liquor, meat, and green vegetables
- The village from where Gawari begins bears the entire expenditure
- Characters –
- All characters are played by men
- Budhiya – Main character (chants of Bhasmasura)
- Puriya – Role of Shiva
- Raya –
- In female disguise – Parvati
- In male disguise – Symbol of Shiva
- Jhamatya – Narration of the story in the local dialect
- Kutkadiya – Sutradhar / coordinator
- Other characters – Khela
- Major Episodes – Ganapati, Bhamariya, Bhiyawad, Kama–Meena, Kangoojri, Jogi, Khadaliya Bhoot, Lakha Banjara, Natdi, Mata and Sher
RAMMAT
- Major Regions – Phalodi, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Pokaran
- Literal meaning – Khel (play); a performer of Rammat is called Khelar
- Presentation – Begins with Chaumasa, description of the rainy season, and Ganapati Vandana
- Themes – Folk poetry of Holi and Sawan, folk heroes of Rajasthan, historical and heroic ballads
- Main Instruments – Dhol, Nagada, Tabla, Jhanjh, Chimta, Tandoora, Dholak, Harmonium (Harmonium used with Chaumasa and Ganapati Vandana songs)
- Performance style – Singers sit and sing; the audience sits all around, while characters perform acting
- “Teriya” – Characters who dance in rhythm
- Major Rammats – Puran Bhakt, Moradhwaj, Amarsingh Rathore, Barah Guwad Rammat, Bhakt Prahlad, Laila–Majnu, Raja Harishchandra, Hidao Meri
- Prominent Artists – Maniram Vyas, Phagu Maharaj, Sua Maharaj, Ramgopal Mehta, Gangadas Sevag, Tej Kavi, Tulsiram, Sakmal (Jaisalmer)
- Tej Kavi of Jaisalmer –
- Founded Shri Krishna Company
- Started the Rammat Akhada
- Famous Rammats – Swatantra Bawani (1943 – presented to Gandhiji), Moomal, Jogi Bhartahari, Chhabili Tambolan
- Famous Rammats of Bikaner –
- Fakkardata Ri Rammat – Beginning of Bikaneri Rammats
- Hedaru Meri Rammat – By Jawaharlal Ji Purohit, based on the ideal husband–wife
- Amar Singh Rathore Rammat of Acharyon ki Chowk
- Chaubel Nautanki Rammat of Bissa’s (बिस्सों) Chowk
- Rammat of Kikani Vyason ki Chowk
TAMASHA
- Famous folk theatre of Jaipur (originally from Maharashtra)
- Beginning – With the play “Dhamaka Manjari” performed by Mohan Kavi during the reign of Maharaja Man Singh
- Patronage – Maharaja Pratap Singh Ji patronised Banshidhar Bhatt (Maharashtra) by giving him shelter in his Gunijan Khana
- Main Instruments – Harmonium, Tabla, Sarangi, Nakkara
- Prominent Artists – Phoolji Bhatt (initiated the Ustad tradition), Gopikishan Bhatt, Vasudev Bhatt, Dilip Bhatt
- Major Stories – Gopichand, Heer–Ranjha, Jogi–Jogan, Jutthan Miyan
- Vasudev Bhatt – Started Gopichand and Heer–Ranjha Tamasha
- Stage – Called Akhada
SWANG
- Region – Baran (Kishanganj), Kota (Sangod)
- Acting is performed by disguising as a historical, mythological, or well-known character / deity
- Performers – Bahurupiya
- Famous Swangs – Chacha–Bohra, Jatayu–Ravana Yudh, Seth–Sethani, Bhikhari, Veer Tejaji
Narōn ka Swang – Mandal (Bhilwara) - Famous artists – Parashuram of Kelwa, Jankilal Bhand of Bhilwara
- Tuntiya / Tuntaki / Khodiya –
- Performed by women of the groom’s side when the groom’s wedding procession departs for the bride’s house
- One woman plays the role of the groom, and another plays the role of the bride
- Purpose – To protect the bride and groom from mental and physical hardships
Leelas (Ramlila and Raslila)
- Region – Mewar, Jaipur, Bharatpur
- Major Forms
- Rasleela
- Beginning – By Vallabhacharya of the Vallabh Sampradaya
- Dramatic presentation of the childhood and adolescent exploits of Lord Krishna
- Artist – Shivlal Kumawat
- Major Centres – Phulera, Jaipur, Asalpur, Hardauna, Gunda, etc.
- Ramlila
- Beginning – By Goswami Tulsidas
- Vivid stage presentation of the life events of Lord Rama
- Major Centres – Bharatpur, Patuda, Bisau
- Bisau – Ramlila based on mime (silent acting); performers wear masks
- Atru – Not Lord Rama, but marriageable youths break the bow
- Gaur Leela (Garasia Tribe)
- Occasion – Vaishakh Shukla Chaturdashi (Bhakhyor ki Gangaur)
- Women – Dance while carrying wooden idols of Gor and Hansar on their heads
- Men – Perform sword fighting while wearing masks
- Sankadikayon ki Leela
- Major Centres – Ghosunda, Bassi
- Ghosunda – Radha–Krishna and other Rasleelas, use of masks
- Bassi – Tableau of Brahma, Ganesha, Kalika, Hiranyakashipu, and Narasimha Avatar
- Rasleela
NAUTANKI
- Meaning – To perform a dramatic play
- Major Regions – Dholpur, Karauli, Alwar, Gangapur, Bharatpur, Sawai Madhopur
- Musical Instruments – Sarangi, Shehnai, Dhapli, etc., along with Nagada (use of nine types of instruments)
- Famous Artists –
- Bhurilal of Deeg (popularised Nautanki)
- Giriraj Prasad of Kaman
- Ramdayal Sharma of Bharatpur (Padma Shri, 2002)
- Female Artists – Asha, Gulal Bai, Krishna Kumari, Kamlesh Lata
- Plays Performed – Roop Basant, Nakabposh, Satyavadi Harishchandra, Raja Bhartarihari, Nal–Damayanti, Amar Singh Rathore, Alha–Udal, Satyavan–Savitri, Laila–Majnu
- Occasion of Performance – Marriage ceremonies
Chaar Bait(चारबैत)
- A famous folk theatre of Tonk, comparable to Qawwali
- Beginning – During the reign of Nawab Faizullah Khan of Tonk by Abdul Karim Khan and Khalifa Karim Khan Nihang
- Features –
- The singer performs while standing on the knees
- Singing is done while playing Dhapli / Tambura
- Dialogues are presented through singing
BHAWAI
- Primarily a folk theatre of Gujarat, most widely prevalent in Mewar
- Originator – Baghaji Jat, Kekri (Ajmer)
- The main character is called Sagaji / Sagiji
- Famous female performer – Shreshtha Soni (title: “Little Wonder”)
- Story – Jasma Odan
Puppet (Kathputli)
- The popular string puppet of Rajasthan
- In puppet art performances, the announcer of the show is called Kharbar Khan
- International recognition – Late Shri Devilal Samar
