At a glance
- Men play every part, the female ones too.
- The village where the Gavari begins bears its cost.
- The troupe plays in the villages where the married sisters and daughters of its members live.
Facts
| Performed by | Bhils of Mewar |
|---|---|
| Story | Shiva and Bhasmasur |
| Begins | The day after Rakshabandhan, Bhadrapad Krishna Pratipada, once the Bhopa has taken leave of Kheda Devi |
| Lasts | Sava mahina (a month and a quarter) according to RBSE; about 40 days in other accounts |
| Where | Mainly Udaipur and Rajsamand |
| Instruments | Mandal and thali |
| Rules | No liquor, meat or green vegetables while it lasts |
Characters and plays
- Budhiya, the main character, stands for Bhasmasur; some accounts make him both Shiva and Bhasmasur. The Raya, in female form, stand for Parvati and for Vishnu as Mohini.
- Jhamtya recites verses in the local language; Khadkadya repeats them as the jester. The other players are called khela.
- Plays: Ganpati, Bhamariya, Bheawad, Meena, Kan-Gujari, Jogi, Khadaliya Bhoot, Lakha Banjara, Natdi, and Mata and Sher.
The story
- According to the legend, Bhasmasur, a devotee of Shiva, won the boon that anyone whose head he touched would burn to ashes. Vishnu took the form of Mohini; copying her dance, the demon touched his own head and was destroyed.
Remember: often mixed up
- Gavari or GaurGavari is the Bhils' play on Shiva and Bhasmasur · Gaur is the Garasias' lila on Vaishakh Shukla Chaturdashi, called Bhakhyor ki Gangaur.
- Gavari or GairGavari is the Bhils' drama after Rakshabandhan · Gair is the Holi stick dance of Mewar and the Barmer area.
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