Sambodhi 2013 Vol 36

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

Page 87

Vol. XXXVI, 2013
The Oral Traditions of Epics in Gujarat
79
Devnārāyan born from a lotus and he with the help of divine cow salorā killed Ranā, took revenge of the family.
The story bears 103 main story motifs15 After analyzing the story and discussing its motifs I have shown the Bhili text is missing some details and links of the story. My discussions and the comparative study of Gujara no Arelo and Bagadāvat of Rajasthan provides the missing links of the story.16
Arelo
Here, in Bhili tradition the form is known as Arelo. Any religious and mythological stories sung by Bhil-Sadhu are known as 'Arelo'. Generally Arelos are sung during Navaratri to Diwali. On the last day of Badraprad. Bhili Sādhu moves from village to village and Arelos are narrated sung. There is walking narraticn, on invitation of Mukhil-the head of village-they go with their team, invitee offers wine and sacrifices a goat (which is a part of the ritual performance). The main singer-narrator, having his finger in his ear walks fast, half running, which is called in Gujarati Apbhramsh 'Hindvu' means to walk. Dr. Bhagavāndās Patel wrote that 'Arelo' is derived from 'Hindvu'. This seems popular etymology. Dr. Shantibhai Acharya, A linguist and folklorist derives it from '55' id verb, the meaning is to please. He also cites 'Agnimide Purohitam (Rigved 1.1.1.) means Purohit praises Agni.17
Performance
... The last Arelo narrator-singer Gamār Jivabhāi Zalabhāi, residing in the
border village of Gujarat and Rajasthan had his father's old Tambur. He was . 'assisted by main Ragi and other 10 assistants. The Jharmaria, dance-songs were performed with a group including 10 ladies.
At present the tradition is semi-dead. There is a trained group, who can on any academic invitation and sponsorship performs some parts of it. The printed text of this epic is now useful for the young learned generation. 6. Rathor-Varta
This epic is Bhili version of Rajasthani Pabuji-Pat-Katha. The Pabuji Pat Kathā is heroic narrative poetry which has been inscripted and edited.18 The Pat-Kathā is more ritual, religious story of Pābuji, a Lok-dev-a folk deity of Rajasthān and Gujarat. It is narrated by Bhopā-Bhopi with the help of Pat-Pad (A long clothe on which the relevant incidents are painted). 'Pat' is not just a aiding medium of the story narration, as it was prevailed in Pakrit story of