Bhavai

Bhavai, also known as Vesha or Swang, is a popular folk theatre form of western India, especially in Gujarat.

Bhavai may have been derived from sanskrit word, Bhava which means expression. It is also associated with Hindu goddess Amba. Bhav means universe and Aai means mother, so it is considered art form dedicated to Mother of Universe, Amba. Bhavai is also known as Vesha or Swang which literally means 'get-up'.

Bhavai is believed to have originated in the 14th century. Asaita Thakar is traditionally credited for its origin.

In 14th century, Ganga, a daughter of Unjha headman Hema Patel, was kidnapped by Muslim subedar. Their family priest, Asaita Thakar who was a brahmin, went to subedar claiming Ganga as his daughter. To prove, subedar asked him to dine with Ganga as during those time, brahmins did not dine with lower castes. He dined with her to save her but upon return, he was outcaste by Brahmins. He started performing plays to earn his living which developed into specific dramatic form. Out of gratitude, Hema Patel also gave him a plot of land and financial support which mark the start of patronage of Bhavaiya, the performers of Bhavai, by villages.

It is believed that Asaita Thakar wrote about 360 plays or Vesha but only 60 have survived including some with his own names. In one of his plays, Asaita had dated his composition as AD 1360.

Bhavai performance appear clearly to have evolved from earlier forms of folk entertainment. The word Bhavai in the sense of show or spectacle occurs in the 13th century Apabhramsa Jain religious verse. It says: "In a tree-less tract even a bunch of eranda (caster oil plant) makes a good show (Bhavai)." Abul Fazal’s Ain-e-Akbari also mentions Bhavai while mentioning some communities.

The Bhavai performers belong to a caste that came to be known as Taragala.

Bhavai is partly entertainment and partly a ritual offering made to Goddess Amba. In the courtyard of the Ambaji temple near Mount Abu the Navratri festival is celebrated with Bhavai performances. Amba is the presiding deity of Bhavai.

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Wikipedia