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.
STAGE
ART
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 the
community in the countryside, focusing in 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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