Sambodhi 2013 Vol 36

Author(s): Jitendra B Shah
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 80

72
Hasu Yajnik
SAMBODHI
versed narrative 'Akhyan' they have used the story of each Skandha of Mahābhārat and they have incorporated and used the interesting episodes of Mahābhārat-lore. Girdhar (18th Century) has written Rāmayān and Mahābhārat in verse. In these works, there are many different versions with interesting story element. This shows that the written tradition accepts the interesting oral story.
Second reason of no epic traditions in Urban/rural area of Gujarāt is that there is on ritual necessity. Purani (narrator of religious story) generally/ narrates the story of Sanskrit Mahabharat.
Performance
Tribal Mahābhārath is narrated and sung by Bhil-Sādhu in social or religious rites and rituals. Some Pankhadis of this epic are sung and recorded by Dr. Bhagvāndās Patel from Devābhai Lālābhai Khānt of Panthāl Village and remaining were sung by Nathabhāi Bhurabhai Gamār of Khedā village, between 1984-1987.
Tribal Bhārath is narrated-sung in various rites and rituals as Hakhādhol, Samādh Padhavi, Huro-Mandvo, Ful-Nākhava-which are ritesrituals after death of Sadhu or one who has been murdered and has been accepted as "Samadh" (small temple like memorial) is to be built.
At present there is no efficient full-fledged narrator-singer of this epic, as one cannot survive by such performance. Fortunately, the tradition is not completely dead. Say it is, semi-dead or partially active tradition but the inscripted text helps young educated generation who can perform in an occasional academic and cultural program.
3. Rāma-Sitamā-Vārtā
This paurānic/mythological folk-epic based on Rāma-Kathā is narratedsung by Bhils of Khedbrahmā tribal area of Gujarat. Full Bhili-Text with notes and study is published. 10
Text
Bhili text in prose and verse is printed in running; it has not been divided with the titles of relevant Pankhadies. The editor, Dr. Bhagavandas Patel recorded 225 audio cassettes with various versions and inscripted the oral text with particulars relating with the epic, in 1995.