Folk Theatre as a Mean of Resistance and Social Change: A Sociological Inquiry About Inception and Need for Revitalization of Bhavai

Abstract

Bhavai is a unique folk art theatre of Gujarat that originated in 1360 AD. It is believed to be initiated by ‘outcaste’ nomads. Marginalization made this form of theatre to be more satirized against stigma imposed by caste system. Instead of protesting exclusion, this art form provided ground for tenacious, long-lasting and zestful ways of expressing subjective feelings of the marginalized. The study tries to investigate, how folk theatres can become a way of expressing resistance and project desired directions for community development. It also traces periodical changes that occurred since the inception of Bhavai. An attempt is made to find out how recent commercialization diluted the original essence of Bhavai. The study sociologically approaches to understand the deterioration of this folk theatre. This form of theatre has now reduced to the symbolic identity; efforts of the state community to retain originality to Bhavai can be deleteriously observed.