Human and Nature .. Two Words .. multidimensional Entities..
The amalgamation of both is what we call as coexistence ..respecting each other. This Coexistence gave birth to some beautiful traditions .. Not only in India but to the whole world. The word Tradition is a series of Celebrating, Respecting, Conserving and carrying forward what is sacred and Important to exist. Versatility of Traditions is a blooming and vibrant part of Indian culture and when it comes to tribes of India it is almost inevitable ..
The list of number of Adivasi tribes in India is more that 1000 . This includes their spreads Pan India including Andaman Nicobar and other Indian Islands. In each Tribe the rules are set about one's role in the community, Work , Worships , Social Standings, Celebrations , Marriages , Resolving disputes to clothing, food etc. the rules are set according to the trend followed by their Ancestors.
Maharashtra and its Tribes are no exceptions for this. Very very firm belief in their traditional practices which are nature centric. Specific to the earths cycle of Sunrise to Sunset , season all is set . All has discipline. Festivities are just sheer joy .. and Religion is Nature.. God is Nature.. Food is Nature .. life is Nature.. Enjoyed to the Core . Different Casts of Tribes have their festivals depending upon their Customs and Regions. But the Most commonly celebrated Festival in tribes of areas in Mokhada, Thane, Nasik is Called as Bohada.. Means Processions
Bohada is a Mask Festival celebrated between Hanuman Jayanti and Gudi padwa, It is celebrated to honour and to respect Village Goddess (Gav Devi or Gram Devta).
The Divine power who takes care and Shade her love on people living in these villages. There are 7-8 famous Bohada Festival arranged and celebrated in this region. Team consist of Village head and other respected person from area decide on day of celebration and its proceedings of this three days and whole night long festival. The one I attended was Bohada Of Poyshet .
There are some famous Bohadas in this area are Mokhada where the first Bohada was performed , Kogda Village in Kardhan, Vehel Pada, Bharsat, Jawhar, Kokada and Poyshet . Most of the Bohadas of three days long, the preparation for this though starts 8 days before. Day one of Festival is Called as Chota (Small) Bohada , Day two Dhakta ( Young )Bohada and day three is called as Motha (Big/ Large) Bohada which is last day of Festival. It starts with worshipping the goddess and ends with the big Processions. All bohadas are crowed pullers . Huge numbers of people gather for these Festivities.
The outline of all Bohada is almost similar , may be one or two things differ. like most locations seven days before Bohada, Rice is grown in small basket and once it grows into tiny grasses they are offered to the goddess. The festivities begin on this day., At Poyshet I even saw a Mukhavata (Face Mask) of Goddess worshiped on first day . Traditionally both are at designated Family of the village who worship these holy belongings.
The main feature of bohada are the Traditional masks. They are traditional make by selected craftsman of villages and are a priced possessions of the house. They are with family from generations. All masks are made from Natural materials like Wood, Wood pulps and other natural materials. Even the paints use to decorate these masks are natural dyes. Every year the Mask is decorated and used for Procession.
Mask used for Bohada are based on Trible concept of living life and the once who protects them , one who resource their daily needs, the one they think is sacred .. even some demons are also depicted in these masks. There are more than 50 types of Masks are designed and used during Bohada. Characters like Ganapati, Shiv, Khanderaya, Saraswati, Lakhshmi, Bhairoba , Niloba . Some real life characters like Gavlan ( Milk Lady), Shephard Lady are also portraited . Characters like Kaurav , Ravna, Bakasur, Bhim then animal masks like Tiger, Sinva (Lion) are also incorporated.
The performances given during bohada are based on stories from Purana , Killing of evil , stories of hunting etc. these stories are passed from generation to generation. The popular one in Bhim and Bakasur, Shivaji Maharaj'S victory stories. The head of the Family actually passes the tradition of Bohada festivities to young generation.
Having such a Traditional , Massive and grand festivity it is obvious that its a Crowed puller. Three days are like a big funfair. The place of Bohada is full with sweets, savoury food stalls , Day to day essential goods like pot , pans may be some vegetables , grains, Fancy jewellery and what not. The atmosphere is just so vibrant with children running all along, young ones walking in groups chatting loudly , giggling . and the the sound of traditional instrument called Sambal and Pepeti (Sehenai sort of) takes attention of the fair and all gather to the main place mostly a Temple of Gamdevi where the head of the village brings Traditional offerings of Newly grown rice and Kalash. The procession starts from village head's house till Temple followed by mob gathered for Bohada. Some people get possessed by the sound of Sambal (Angat Devi Yete) and it is even said that some times these possessed people also give answers to the Problems asked.
Once village head makes offerings to gram devta the mask festival begins. People start procession in pre-decided order wearing there masks perform on the street. Actually path of Start and end point of Procession is decided . The artist performs ones act in light of Fire torch, Kandil (Fire lamp). Crowed cheers each and every Artist from start to end. By the next morning when the last Mask performance is done the Bohada Ends.
We were planning to visit Bohada for quite some time. Was little concerned as its a whole night event. But ever since we reached there we became part of it and time just flies. Villagers came forward and gave us information about there traditions , Bohada. We had a lovely chit chat about there life shared few of our life. fun Interaction with few rounds of Tea of course. We roamed whole bohada with list of performances and photographing them , photographing our self with them.
Something I love doing .. Interacting with people. Women were little hesitant in the beginning but it went smooth after few conversations.
Its just one of the kind and whole night long cultural and tradition drenched event. A must experience one.
Looking forward to visit on again may be some different place but Visit for Sure .
