Bidesia
AI-drafted · awaiting admin review
Bhojpuri folk theatre of song, dance and drama about men who leave home to work far away and the families they leave behind.
Folk theatreWhere: Bihar (Bhojpuri-speaking western districts) and eastern Uttar PradeshOccasion: Village gatherings, weddings and festival nights
| Performed by | A troupe of male actors, singers and musicians; men traditionally play the women’s roles |
|---|---|
| Costume | Simple everyday clothes; men in women’s roles wear sarees and jewellery |
| Music and instruments | Bhojpuri songs with harmonium, dholak, nal and jhal (cymbals) |
How it is performed
- The show takes place on an open stage or ground, often through the night.
- A narrator-singer opens the story and links the scenes.
- Actors sing and dance the tale of a man who goes ‘bides’ (to a far land) for work and the wife waiting at home.
- Comic scenes and songs keep the crowd engaged, while the main story carries a social message.
Significance
Bidesia was shaped by the playwright and performer Bhikhari Thakur in the early 20th century. It speaks about migration, women’s suffering and social evils, and is a pillar of Bhojpuri culture.