‘Bhands have been forced to live as outcasts’

Neha Saini

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, June 24

Coming to the rescue of the gradually dying artist community of Bhands and Marasis, theatre director Amita Sharma is all set to bring them to the mainstream cultural scene. Sharma, an NSD alumnus, is the only artist from Punjab to have been selected for a fellowship programme under the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, where she will work on the project to revive the folk art community in the state.

“The Sangeet Natak Academy had joined hands with UNESCO and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs to push for the revival of one of the oldest communities of folk artists in Punjab and also promote it to be included in UNESCO’S Intangible Cultural Heritage projects list in India. But the project was in limbo after the documentation process was complete,” she says. Working on the project and interacting with the community for the past two years, Sharma had worked with theatre director Rajender Singh to document the community artists, who are still carrying on the legacy of their forefathers.

“We observed that the community has been forced to live as ‘outcasts’ due to their loud lifestyle and meagre earnings. Bhands and Marasis were considered respectable members of society and no wedding or celebration in Punjabi households was considered complete without their performance. With change of interests and time, the community soon found itself barely surviving and is even considered ‘derogatory’ for some,” she says. Sharma will work closely with the community, identifying and training them to come back to the live performance arena.

“We want that the art form should be highlighted through a proper channel, maybe with some modifications to suit the young audience. No one knows about the community, as we have lost connection with that part of our cultural history and more knowledge means a chance of revival for them.”

The research work on the project now aims at reviving the artists through organised workshops and bridging the gap between the younger audience and the traditional art form. “Since it’s a satirical art genre, with loud references and music, conducting a few workshops with them will definitely familiarise them with the changed style. We would also work to get them a platform through theatre or live shows.”