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Music
In the field of music, Gujarat has made its own contribution.
A number of Ragas
bear the territorial names of Gujarat such as Gujaqri Todi, Bilaval (from
Veraval), Sorathi, (from Sorath), Khambavati (from Khambhat, Cambay),
Ahiri and Lati. These are invaluable gifts of Gujarat to the classical
music of India.  Jesingbhai,
the creator of the Vichitra Veena, a musical string instrument,
was from Ahmedabad.
Gujarat has preserved folk music in its pure and pristine
form by Charans and Gadhavis, a community whose hereditary profession
is folk music and folk arts. Lullaby, Nupital songs, festive songs, Rannade
songs are the different types of folk songs in Gujarat. Marsias is
a peculiar form of singing at the time of death. The Vaishnava cult in
Gujarat has produced a special variety of music which can be classified
as temple-music.
Besides its contribution to classical and folk music,
Gujarat has produced its own folk instruments. Wind
type instruments like Turi, Bungal, Pava, String type Ravan Hattho, Ektaro,
and Jantar, percussion type like Manjira, Zanz pot drun etc.
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Stage Art- Bhavai
A typical folk drama of Gujarat called Bhavai is performed
in village and temple grounds by professional communities of North Gujarat-
the Taragalas, Bhojakas, etc. The word Bhavai is derived from the Sanskrit
word "Bhava" meaning expression of emotion. The Bhavai drama
is a continuous performance lasting the whole night in which many "veshas"
are performed in the open without any stage equipment. These Veshas depict
episodes from the social life of communities in the countryside, focusing
in a satirical or farcical way the characteristics of certain sections-
Banias, Bohras, wandering tribes, etc. Continuous playing on the Bhungal,
a very long wind brass instrument, before and during the performance calls
the rural patrons to the scene of the Bhavai. Women are strictly tabooed
from taking part in the Bhavai. Their role is performed by the male artists
which makes the entire drama more ridiculous. The repertoire of the Bhavai
is limited to about three dozen veshas, the authorship of which is attributed
to Asait.
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