Folk Theater in Bihar

Bihar has some of its own popular folk dramas, which have great importance in the cultural and folk life here. These folk dramas are organized by the people here on various cultural festivals, auspicious events etc. Acting, dialogue, plot, song and dance are all included in these dramas. These plays are usually organized at night only. No theater is required to present them.

Folk Drama Prevalent in Bihar

Videshiya

• Its creator was the famous folk artist Bhikhari Thakur, Videshiya is mainly developed on the basis of folk theater tradition. Like Sanskrit plays, there is an invocation in this drama too. Each artist in this is
• The artist is not only a character of the drama, but also does the work of stage inspection and playing the dholak or cymbal at different places. In this, the roles of women are also performed by male actors.
• Videshiya also has a jester or joker to make the audience laugh, but he does not play the main character of the play as in Parsi theatre.
• Its prevalence is mainly in the Bhojpuri language-speaking area.
• Its creator and famous artist Bhikhari Thakur is called Shakespeare of Bhojpuri,

Domkach

• This play, full of humour, is mainly organized by women in the house- courtyard premises on special occasions, such as late at night after the barat has departed.
• This dance is not performed in auditoriums, because obscene dialogues, gestures and contexts have a special place in it for entertainment and humor.
• After men leave for the wedding procession, women act in this play while staying awake all night due to the fear of thieves. In this, women act wearing men’s clothes.

Jat-Jatin

• This folk drama Jat-Jatin, based on married life, is performed by women in the moonlit night from Sawan to Kartik month. It is performed all over Bihar, but in North Bihar it is the main means of entertainment among women.
• The roles of Jat-Jatin are mainly performed by unmarried girls, While the Jat is dressed as the groom, the Jatin is more attractively decorated with colorful sarees and water lilies. The women of both the groups stand face to face in a row at a distance of about five-six hands.
• During the act one party comes to the other party singing a song and again goes back on its feet. The group of Jat sings while standing and the group of Jatin does so first standing, then bowing down.

Bhakuli Banka

• It is often presented along with ‘Jat-latin’ from Sawan to Kartik month, But at some places people also present it independently.
• Its acting time and decorations are similar to Jat-Jatin, Anka, Banka, Tihuli and Bhakuli are its main characters.
• The presentation of this folk drama is done in an absolutely natural and spontaneous manner, in which an effective pattern of rural life is seen. The similes used in this are related to rural or regional life.

Kirtaniya

• It is a devotional folk drama of Bihar in which the leela of Lord Krishna are narrated through devotional songs.

Sama-Chakeva

• Sama-Chakeva natya is organized in the month of Kartik from Saptami of Shukla Paksha to Purnima.
• This dance is performed through answering questions in songs sung in group. In this, acting is done by unmarried girls.
• Amazing coordination of acting, song and dance is seen in this play. Its characters are Siblings Shyama (Sama) and
• Satbhaiya, Chugla, Khidrich, Banatitar, Jhansikutta, Vrindavan, Aithla- Aithli, Munthedhi, Batdekhani, Gwalin, Hathi etc. are prominent among other characters of this drama. Girls create raas like Krishna-Radha.
• The idol of Krishna playing the flute is placed in the center and the rest of the characters are placed in a circular formation around it and then the girls themselves dance and sing around it.

Folk Music and Folk Ragas

• The cultural customs of Bihar are very ancient.
• The importance of music occupies a pivotal place in all cultures.
• On one hand, it is a means of entertainment and on the other hand, it is also a medium of expression of creative tendencies.
• After the decline of the Mughal Empire in the 18th century, classical music spread widely from the Mughal court to Lucknow, Banaras and Patna.
• Khayal and Thumri styles got special popularity in Patna. Folk singers had special support in making them popular, in which the names of Roshan Ara Begum, Imam Bandi and Ramdasi are notable.
• Various ragas are popular in Bihar because of ancient rituals. Nachari, Lagni, Phag, Chaita and Purabi etc. are famous among the different ragas.

Popular Folk Music and Folk Ragas in the State

• Nachari Raga: The 15th century poet Vidyapati composed the lyrics of this raga. He composed this song as a prayer to Lord Shankar. This raga was so important that even Abul-Fazl has described it in Aln-i-Akbari.
• Lagni Geet: This song is also the creation of poet Vidyapati, This song is sung even today on the auspicious occasion of marriage all over North India.
• Phag or Holi: Holi is an important festival of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh where the song Phag is especially popular. In modern times, Maharaja Navalkishore Singh, the Zamindar of Betiyaraj, was famous for composing Fagua songs. His songs are popular in the western districts of North Bihar.
• Chalta: Like Phag, Chaita is also a unique gift of Bihar. People sing Phag in the month of Phagun and Chaita in the month of Chaitra. It is mainly famous in Patna and Bhojpuri language-speaking districts of the state.
• Poorabi: Earlier this raga was also known as Bihni, Saran district is said to be the birth place of Purbi Raga. The notable centers of this raga are Patna, Gaya, Bhojpur, Darbhanga, Munger and Bhagalpur etc. Patna was the main center of this raga where famous singer Rajashah started a new instrumental music called Thaat, He had composed a book named Nagmat Asfi about singing and playing.