Upstream Research International Journal (URIJ) ISSN 2321 –0567 A Peer Reviewed Refereed Indexed Journal Vol. V, Issue IV (Oct.- 2017) Kashmir’s Bhand Pather and Haryana’s Saang: A Comparative Study Ms. Ishrat Research Scholar Dept. of English, BPSMV, Khanpur Kalan, Sonipat Dr. Daisy Associate Professor of English BPSIHL, BPSMV, Khanpur Kalan, Sonipat William Thomas, an English antiquarian, first ballads, folk songs have always been a part of introduced the term ‘folklore’ in 1846. Folklore every home. Every Indian, whether literate or embodies a culture’s belief system and contains non-literate, belonging to any caste, religion and fundamental truths by which people have lived class, has inside a large non-literate subcontinent. for centuries. The word ‘folklore’ consists of two It is because the conscience of a person settles words: in his mind in the early years of his life while all the other worldly divisions come very later. • Folk - synonym of people Obviously, the diversity in folklore of India • Lore - traditions, customs and belief system owes to the diversity in customs, traditions and of a community languages all over the country. Indian folklore is Therefore, ‘folklore’ is said to be a collective definitely rich and ancient. name to those traditions, cultures, and verbal Folklore incorporates various genres, as it sayings, which have been transferred primarily was the only source of entertainment before the through the words of mouth, in each and every invention of television, radio and other sources society, since the middle of nineteenth century. of information and entertainment. That’s why it Folklore of India incorporates singing, dancing, playing and many other creative activities of day-to-day life. The The Indian equivalent of folklore is called elusive materials of folklore can be best defined ‘lokayana’ which simply means the way of life and comprehended through the categorization of people or how people spend their life with a of formal genres. Scholars generally divide these particular social set up - genres of folklore into four categories: Oral • Loka: people Literature, Material Culture, Social Customs and • Yana: way of life festivals, Performing Folk-Art. (Jadhav, 8) Folklore plays a very important role in the Among these, the performing folk art and Indian society where people still adhere to mainly the folk theatre becomes the most their religion without any questioning and a important, as it is always a mirror of its society. considerable part of the population is illiterate. It’s kind of an ‘all inclusive’ pack which can Even in the literate regions, folklore genres provide the whole information about a society like proverbs, idioms, riddles, lullabies, tales, as it incorporates not only the social traditions Upstream Research International Journal (URIJ) ISSN 2321 –0567 Approved by UGC New Delhi Vol. V, Issue IV (Oct.- 2017) Website: www.eupstream.com Impact Factor: 1.024 : IC Value:6.48 Upstream Research International Journal (URIJ) ISSN 2321 –0567 A Peer Reviewed Refereed Indexed Journal Vol. V, Issue IV (Oct.- 2017) of that particular society but also both kind of Raasleela Uttar Pradesh narratives (prose and verse) including poems, Maach Madhya Pradesh songs, legends, music, proverbs, jokes, fairy tales, stories, myths, dramas, rituals, proverbs, Ramman Uttarakhand idioms, and proverbs prevalent in the region. Jatra Bengal Folk theatre is considered more important as all Tamasha Maharashra the other genres of folklore vis-à-vis folk songs, Yakshagana Karnataka folktales, various legends can be found in it. Bhaona Assam Folk Theatre has been there since ages all Bhavai Northern Gujrat over the world in many societies, but India Dashavtar Goa and Konkan has the longest and richest tradition in theatre. Whereas the earlier stage drama was mostly Krishnattam, Kerala religiously oriented or was staged for teaching Mudiyettu, Theyyam moral behavior, it turned its face towards the and Koodiiyattam depiction of social problems and entertainment Theukoothu Tamil Nadu purposes later on. Also, it has always been closely Veedhi Natakam Andhra Pradesh related to ancient rituals and seasonal festivities (http://www.gktoday.in/folk-theatre-in-india/) of the country. Indian drama combines all the forms such as literature, mime, music, dance, movement, painting, sculpture and architecture Among the rich variety of folk theatres wonderfully. Therefore, folk drama has been the available in India, interesting results come chief source of entertainment before the invention out when we compare two major folk theatre of television and radio. In Indian aesthetics, it traditions - Jammu & Kashmir’s ‘Bhand Pather’ has been given a reputed place and is looked and Haryana’s ‘Saang’. at with great regard. In Natyasastra, it is clearly Bhand Pather stated that folk drama would not merely be a source of entertainment but would be a source Origin of knowledge for all. Music and dance are major The folk theatre of Kashmir is known as parts of folk drama. Bhand Pather. This term consists of two words: Among many forms of folk drama prevalent ‘bhand’ and ‘pather’. The word ‘bhand’ is derived in India, some popular ones are listed below along from Sanskrit word ‘bhaana’ which is a realistic with the names of the states these forms belong to: and satirical drama. Though the word has been elaborately used by Bharatmuni in his Natyasastra FOLK DRAMA STATE and has a different interpretation there, in Bhand Pather Jammu & Kashmir Kashmir, ‘bhand’ means imitation (nakar) or Swang (Saang) Haryana, Rajasthan, mimicry (maskhari). (Aajiz, 14) Another word UP and Malwa ‘pather’ is derived from Sanskrit word ‘paatra’ which means dramatic character who tries to Nautanki Uttar Pradesh, imitate the original ones. Therefore, Bhand Pather Rajasthan, Punjab is a drama having characters that satirize the vices Upstream Research International Journal (URIJ) ISSN 2321 –0567 Approved by UGC New Delhi Vol. V, Issue IV (Oct.- 2017) Website: www.eupstream.com Impact Factor: 1.024 : IC Value:6.48 Upstream Research International Journal (URIJ) ISSN 2321 –0567 A Peer Reviewed Refereed Indexed Journal Vol. V, Issue IV (Oct.- 2017) (evil part) of humans and at times, also makes us • Dard Pather: This play portrays the picture aware of history of the area. of Kashmir under the ‘Dards’, which is a symbol for tyrant Afghani rulers. (Aajiz, 16) Themes • Raje Pather: This play also shows the Most of these folk dramas are historical and callousness of Afghani rulers and it also pick the themes from the past. Since the poor have depicts the luxurious life of kings and their a history of being exploited by various rulers in the courtiers. past, so this also becomes an important theme in Bhand Pather. These dramas also provide advice to • Gosian Pather: This play is based on the the folk regarding how they should live life. This Kashmiri folktale of a ‘Gosian’ (saint) and way these have themes related to morality. Most milkmaid Gopali who gets attracted towards importantly, these are not religion or community Gosian. (Aajiz, 19) specific dramas. These are a combination of • Besim Pather: This drama tells about King ‘Hindu Shaivism’ and ‘Sufi Mysticism’ in style, Biswajit and his rule. A glimpse of Pandavas themes and musical instruments. The plot is and Kauravas can also be captured in the usually kept comic and it is never tragic. Though form of their administration in this drama. the themes are generally serious, conveying a serious message but plots are made comic and • Aarmen Pather: This drama manifests the characters maintain a lighter mood. The themes lifestyle of vegetable farmers who bear a and situations in these performances are very different kind of tradition of keeping their much in connection to the mind of spectators son-in-law at home. as the concerns are always humanity specific. • Angrez Pather: This folk drama is all about There are four basic elements of Bhand Pather: the exploitation, which Britishers did to Dance, Musical Instruments, Singing and Playing. Kashmiri people. It also shows the love of Generally, the performance begins with ‘Sufiana’ Kashmiri people towards their language music and ‘Chhok’ dance. There are certain myths, customs and belongings. which are usually included in the performance of • Waatal Pather: It is one of the oldest folk bhand pather. These are – dramas of Kashmir, which manifests the life • Katrishi Myth (named after the great saint style of the ‘Wataal’ tribe. and dramatist Katrishi) Apart from these, there are other Pathers like • Bhand Chowk (named after the base stone Chakdar Marriage, Besim Pather, Shikargah Pather, of Bhand Pather), Bakarwal Pather, Buhir Pather, Wount Wali Pather, • Brahmin Bhands (named after the Brahmin Hanaz Pather etc. family of Akingam), Saang Types of Bhand Pathers Now, let’s look at Saang, the folk theatre Bhand Pather of Kashmir is a fully flourished of Haryana. Saang has been an integral part drama that has enjoyed long journey. Most of of Haryanvi society since the ages. Saangs are Kashmiri dramas are named according to their metrical plays and can be more aptly called themes such as ‘Dramatic Poetry’ rather than ‘Plays’ because Upstream Research International Journal (URIJ) ISSN 2321 –0567 Approved by UGC New Delhi Vol. V, Issue IV (Oct.- 2017) Website: www.eupstream.com Impact Factor: 1.024 : IC Value:6.48 Upstream Research International Journal (URIJ) ISSN 2321 –0567 A Peer Reviewed Refereed Indexed Journal Vol. V, Issue IV (Oct.- 2017) a major part of these plays is in verse form. At its initial stage Saang was classified into Although prose form is also used gracefully and two types: fulfills various purposes like: • One type was of hymns which later • Creating a connection between the audience transformed into Rasleela and Ramleela. and the main plot. • Another type of Saangs were those that carry • The performer’s use of it as a tool for giving themes of day to day life and appeal to the a decisive turn to the main story of the plot.