Here’s Mahabharata In Action!
Pandavani, which means verses and stories of the Pandava brothers, has come onto the world’s stage now. At a time when folklore and folk singers alike are disappearing, here’s one that’s kept itself alive. It is performed by certain in Chhattisgarh.
In ancient times, Pandavani was a form of entertainment as well as a medium of education. People used to sit in the local village circle and listen to Pandavani performers. It comprises of a main singer and two accompanying him. Musical instruments like the tambura, kartal and harmonium are used. The lead singers often ask questions, enacts situations and uses gestures and movements to make the performance lively.
There are two styles in Pandavani – Vedamati and Kapalik. Vedamati follows the Vedic narration, with the singers sitting on the ground and reciting. The Kapalik version personifies Bhima and his actions. Kapalik is the version that the masses prefer, and it provides a collection of stories popularly circulate among the people. Vedamati is the sober one, performed by women mainly, whereas the Kapalik performers stand and sing and mimic Mahabharata characters.
Teejan Bai, an exponent of the Kapalik variety, is a well-known figure. She has received the Padma Shree and Padma Bhushan, and is the first woman to perform the male-dominated Kapalik style. Bai has taken Pandavani to the world, visited many countries and been a cultural ambassador of the country.
The dramatic effect of Pandavani makes it popular with puppeteers, playwrights and singers nowadays.
