Sambodhi 2013 Vol 36

SR No.: 520786
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jitendra B Shah
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad
Publication Year: 2013
Total Pages: 328
Language: English, Sanskrit, Prakrit, Gujarati
Classification: Magazine, India_Sambodhi, & India
File Size: 7 MB

Page 85

Vol. XXXVI, 2013
The Oral Traditions of Epics in Gujarat
77
While telling a story with narration and singing, the artist swiftly and in rhythm presses the bamboo-stick with his index finger and thumb, moves it ups and down, which creates a musical droll sound. It adds musical note, rhythm and creates an explicit atmosphere. For this purpose, in Indian performances generally stringed instruments just as Rāvan-Hattho, Sundari, Satar are used. Here, a bamboo-Stick works as string, producing a note and rhythm.
There are no narrators knowing or singing such long epics, but Bhavādā and Thāļi-Kathā performance is still alive. 6. Gujarā no Arelo :
This epic is Bhill-version of Rajasthani Bagadāvant-Kathā, narrated and performed in tribal area of Khedbrahmā District. Bhils of this area have two sub-castes, Sokhalā Garāsiyā and Dungari Bhil. In both these sub-caste, this epic is known as 'Arela' which are being narrated and sung in Diwali days (mostly during November), because here in this epic a divine cow Salorā is the main respectable and worshiped deity, and Diwali is the fixed day for religious social worshiping rituals. It is believed that God Vishnu sent Salorā from Swarga to the nether world and from there to earth with her herd of nine lacs Cows. The Gurjars prospered and acquired land, established and ruled their own new state. The enmity and war between Gurjara and Rāna vanished and doomed Bhojā Gurjar and his brothers. The last descendent Devnārāyan defeated and killed Rānā with the divine help of Salorā. Devnārāyan is worshiped as their Lok-Deva, folk diety.
Mainly 4 to 5 successful attempts were made to edit the oral traditional s but only stray Pankhadis could be recorded. The oral tradition of this epic was almost lost in the Sokhalā Garasiyā but it was alive in Dungari Bhil up to the last decades of 19th century and full-length text was recorded, inscripted and edited. 14
Text
Original Bhili-text is running with sub-titles :
1. Hariom Rājā 2. Waghaji 3. Digyā-Damor 4. Gujar 5. Sapunath 6. Jharmariyan 7. Devanārāyana