Bhavai

Bhavai, also known as Vesha or Swang, is a popular folk theatre form of western India, especially in Gujarat.

Out of gratitude, Hema Patel also gave him a plot of land and financial support which mark the start of patronage of Bhavaiya, the performers of Bhavai, by villages.

[1] The word Bhavai in the sense of show or spectacle occurs in the 13th century Apabhramsa Jain religious verse.

It says: "In a tree-less tract even a bunch of eranda (caster oil plant) makes a good show (Bhavai)."

[2][3] The Bhavai performers belong to a caste that came to be known as Taragala or "Bhavaiyya" (termed Nayak in Mehsana area, Bhojak in Kutch, and Vyas in Saurashtra).

The barbers and knife-sharpeners, robbers, bangle sellers and social and economic thieves, banjaras, odas, darjis, fakirs and sadhus.

He first marks the performing arena, then offers kumkum to the oil-torch or earthen lamp which is a symbol of goddess Amba and sings prayer songs in her praise.

Veshas were published for the first time in the nineteenth century and performances were linked to their predecessors through practice and the oral tradition.

With advent of cinema and television, the entertainment in village changed radically and the popularity of Bhavai declined and is decaying.

[1] Jasma Odan based on Gujarati folk tale, written and directed by Shanta Gandhi; Rasiklal Parikh's Mena Gurjari (Mena of Gujarat, 1953) produced by Deena Gandhi and C. C. Mehta's Hololika (1956) were some of the most popular Bhavai musicals of modern times.

[1][9] Ghanashyam Nayak, a famous actor, known for the role of Nattu Kaka in the show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah was also from Bhavai theatre.