Folk Theatre of Rajasthan

Khyal (ख्याल)

Khyals are folk dramas played in Rajasthan since the 18th century, based on mythological or historical stories with a strong musical influence . The narrator in a Khyal is called 'Harkara' . These dramas vary in form based on geography, music, dance, and style .

Kuchamani Khyal

• Founder: Lachiram .
• Main Artist: Ugamraj .
• Main Stories: Rao Ridmal, Chand-Nilgiri, Meera-Mangal, Goga Chauhan .

Shekhawati Khyal/Chidawi Khyal

• Founder: Nanuram .
• Main Artist: Duliya Rana .
• Main Centre: Chidawa (Jhunjhunu) .
• Main Stories: Heer-Ranjha, Harichand, Bharthari, Jaydev Kalali, Alhadev, and Dola Marvan .

Jaipuri Khyal

• Main Stories: Jogi-Jogan, Kan-Gujari, Miyan-Beebu, Pathan, and Raseeli Tambolan .
• Distinctive Features: It is a free-style drama where women participate and new experiments are carried out . Artists from ‘Gunijan Khana’ also participated in it . Dramatist Hameedulla later created a new drama based on the Khyal Bharmali .

Hela Khyal

• Region: Lalsot (Dausa), Sawai Madhopur .
• Musical Instruments: Naubat, Bam (Nagada) .
• Characteristics: 'Hela' means to call loudly, so this drama features high-pitched calls .

Other Khyals

• Dhappali Khyal (ढप्पालीख्याल): Performed in Laxmangarh (Alwar), Bharatpur, and Deeg with instruments like Daph, Nagada, and Shehnai .
• Bhent ke Dangal: Performed in the Bari and Basedi regions of Dhaulpur .
• Ali-Bakshi Khyal: Popular in Mundawar (Alwar) and founded by Nawab Ali-Baksh, who is known as the 'Ras-Khan' of Alwar . It is performed in the Aheerwati/Rathi language .
• Kanhaiya Khyal: Found in Karauli, Gangapur City, Sawai Madhopur, Dhaulpur, and Dausa . The story is called 'Kahan' and the narrator is 'Mediya' . It was originally popular in the Meena tribe .

Turra-Kalangi (तुराा-कलगंी)

• Founders: Tukangir (a Hindu Saint) and Shah Ali (a Muslim Saint) .
• Main Centres: Ghosunda (Chittaur), Nimbahera (Chittaur), and Neemuch (MP) .
• Main Artists: Jaidayal Soni, Chetram, Onkar Singh, Nanalal Gandharva, and Tarachand .
• Concept: This folk drama is based on the stories of Lord Shiva (Turra) and Goddess Parvati (Kalangi) . It features two groups: one representing Lord Shiva (saffron flag) and the other Goddess Parvati (green flag) .
• Performance: A poetic dialogue competition called ‘Gammat/Dangal’ is held between the two sides . The stage is heavily decorated, the audience can participate, and the 'Chang' instrument is played . It was popularized in Chittaur by Sahedu Singh and Hammed Beg .

Nautanki (नौटंकी)

• Founder: Bhurilal Ji .
• Main Artists: Giriraj Prasad, Nathalal .
• Region: Bharatpur, Dhaulpur, Karauli, Alwar, Deeg .
• Characteristics: It is influenced by the Hathras (U.P) style of drama . The name comes from the use of nine types of musical instruments, including Sarangi, Shehnai, and Dhapli .
• Main Stories: Satyawadi-Harishchandra, Roop-Basant, Nakab-Posh, Alah-Udal, Raja-bharathari, and Amar Singh Rathore .

Tamasha (तमाशा)

• Founder: Bansidhar Bhatt .
• Main Artists: Gopi Ji Bhatt, Vasudeva Bhatt .
• Origin: This folk drama is originally from Maharashtra and was popularized in Jaipur during the reign of Sawai Pratap Singh .
• Famous Dancer: Gauhar Jan also participated in this drama .
• Stories: Jogi-Jogan (played on Holi), Heer-Ranjha (day after Holi), Jhuttan Miyan Ka Tamasha (Sheetla Ashtami), and Gopichand-Bhrthari (Chaitra Amavasya) .

Gavari (गवरी)

• Description: This is the oldest and most religious folk theatre of the Bhil tribe, also known as Meru Folk theatre .
• Duration: It is performed for 40 days, starting the day after Raksha-Bandhan .
• Story: It is based on the story of Shiv-Bhasmasur, with various characters having specific names: Parvati is Gavari/Rai, Lord Shiva is Raibudiya, the narrator is Kutukudiya, and the comedian is Jhatpatiya .
• Performance: Small dramas like Goma-Meena and Kan-Gujari are performed during the staging . A dance called 'Gavri Ki Ghai' connects the stories . The play "Pashu-Parvati" by Bhanu Bharti is a modern adaptation .

Rammat (रम्मत)

Originating from folk poetry competitions in Bikaner, Rammat is popular in both Bikaner and Jaisalmer . Bhajans of Ramdev Ji are sung before the start .

• Rammat of Jaisalmer: Popularized by Tej Kavi, who used it to oppose British rule . In 1943, he composed "Swatantra Bavani" and gifted it to Gandhiji .
• Rammat of Bikaner: Performed by Pushkarana Brahmins on a wooden plank (पाटा) during Holi . Main artists include Maniram Vyas, Tulsidas, and Fagu Maharaj .

Bhawai (भवाई)

• Founder: Bagh Ji .
• Main Stories: Bika Ji-Bagh Ji, Jasmal Odhan .
• Region: Performed by the Bhawai community in areas of Rajasthan adjoining Gujarat .
• Characteristics: This commercial folk drama is a satire on social problems. Artists do not give their introduction; male artists are called Saga Ji and female artists are Sagi Ji . The play Jasmal Odan by Shanta Gandhi is based on this genre and is popular internationally .

Swang (सवागं)

• Concept: 'Swang' means to impersonate someone. Artists, known as Bahrupiya, wear dresses of mythological characters .
• Region: Famous in the Bhilwara region, with the main story being 'Nahro Ka Swang' in Mandal, performed on Chaitra Krishna Trayodashi .
• Origin: This art form began during the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah-Jahan .
• Main Artists: Parshuram Ji and Jankilal Bhaand (Padmashri-2024), who is also known as the Monkey Man .

Charbaint (चारबेंsत)

• Origin: Originally from Afghanistan and presented in the Pashto language .
• Region: It became popular in Tonk during the reign of Nawab Faizulla Khan. Karim Khan Nihang started presenting it in the local language .
• Performance: The singer stands on his knees while playing the Daph .

Leelas (Religious Dramas)

• Ramleela: Founded by Tulsidas Ji. A silent Ramleela is performed in Bisau (Jhunjhunu), and in Ataru (Baran), the bow is destroyed by the public instead of Lord Rama .
• Rasleela: Founded by Vallabhacharya and based on the life of Lord Krishna. Main centers include Phulera (Jaipur Rural) and Kaman (Deeg) .
• Gaur Leela: Organized by the Garasiya tribe in the Abu region. Men perform fencing with masks while women dance with wooden figures on their heads .
• Sankadik Leela: Stages religious stories of deities like Ganesha, Brahma, and Bhairuji. These are organized in Ghosunda and Bassi in Chittor .