Sindhi Bhagat
Bhagat
During the time when the social life of Sindhi community was dominated by the principals of Sufism and divinity this folk-art form started to shape as way of worshiping God and Bhagat Kanwar ram Sahib were the person who has used this form and made it popular among the masses.
Sindhi Bhagat: Sindhi Legacy of Music
Many of younger Sindh, born in India might be surprised to learn that since the ancient time Sindhi community is famous for sangeet (music) Sufism and stage performances, though in those days these artists were not getting formal training but still a few renowned artists were there to help the younger artist to sharpen their skills.
In the due course of time this art of singing and acting shaped as Bhagat. Today we are reading or watching video stories of tragic romance of Sindh but once there was time when these artists were visiting from village to village and narrating these and other heroic stories with music. Let us keep ourself concentrated on Bhagat. The first and most common question which comes to most young Sindhi minds, what is Bhagat?
We will come to that but before that among those roaming and performing artist, one who took initiative for this group folk art form to develop as the means of entertainment was known as Bhagatram and on his name this folk-art form is known as Bhagat. In the Bhagat three essential elements are used and presented in tandem by the story teller to produce magical effect which forces audience to sit for hours and hours and enjoy. These three elements are Singing, Music and Dance.
Sindhi Bhagat [ Fusion of sindhi Folk Music, Dance & Singing]
A session of devotional songs and music with the dance, performed by at least two persons [1] Singer & Musician [Narrator] [2] Dancer & Singer or only Dancer [Performer]. Many times, the conversation between two help to develop the story or to carry forward the story.
Usually, a Bhagat group is composed of 4 to 7 seven persons. Bhagat Kanwar Ram’s [ Who started this way of God Worship] group was consists of 11 persons, including 4 musicians [ 2 Sarangi Player, 1 Tabala Player & 1 Dholak Player]. Bhagat Sahib himself along with others tie-up Ghungharoo on ankle and start the bhagat. it is said that a normal session of his bhagat lost for at least 4 to 6 hours.
Sindhi Folk Art Bhagat in India
In India Prof. Ram Panjwani was most famous Bhagat. He has given new dimensions to sindhi folk music of Bhagat by using “Matki” earthen pot as musical instrument. In the very recent past Shri Dilipkumar & Shri Gordhandas of Balak Mandali Katani have started the mini concept of Bhagat though presently they have turned them self into story narrator and singer [Bollywood songs & music based Sindhi devotional songs]. Though duo also have a good mastery over Gurbani singing. This might be the cold refreshing flow of wind for desert of sindhi folk arts in India that young sindhi singers like Mohit Lalwani [Indian Idol fame] Delhi and Prof Ghanshyam Tharvani of Ajmer are taking keen interest in this ancient sindhi folk art – Bhagat.