Behrupiya: Folk Artiste

• 24 Aug 2020

Why in News

The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the livelihood of several folk artistes including ‘Behrupiyas’.

Key Points

• The word ‘behrupiya’ is a derivative of the Sanskrit word bahu (many) and roop (form).
• Behrupiyas are impersonators, mostly known to perform in villages and markets all over India.
  
  • They put on various costumes to play figures from mythology, folklore and traditional stories.
• The behrupiya festival is a traditional Indian style of street theatre and takes place every year in different locations- Delhi, Ahmedabad, Udaipur, Jaipur, Kumbh, Muzaffarnagar and others.
  
  • National Behrupiya Festival was organised by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) from 5^th-8^th October 2018.
  • IGNCA is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Culture.
• Behrupiyas were more than artists in the past. They assisted in circulating, transmitting and publicising the various knowledge forms in the popular domain of Samaj, the people. The vibrant tradition of Ramlila can also be seen as an extension of this practice which continues even today.
  
  • Arthashastra makes a mention of religious processions in the Mauryan times where artistes dressed as gods and were taken out in tableaux all around the kingdom.
  • Rajasthan’s Behrupiyas had served Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh of the erstwhile Jaipur kingdom. They are also said to have helped freedom fighters during the struggle for Independence.
• Different Forms of Traditional Theatres:
  
  • Bhand Pather: Kashmir
  • Nautanki: Uttar Pradesh
  • Bhavai: Gujarat
  • Jatra: Bengal
  • Maach: Madhya Pradesh
  • Bhaona: Assam
  • Dashavatar: Konkan and Goa Regions
  • Tamaasha: Maharashtra
  • Krishnattam, Koodiyaattam and Mudiyettu: Kerala
  • Yakshagana: Karnataka
  • Therukoothu: Tamil Nadu

Source: TH