Bhilni

 

Bhilni

        Once I had been to Gujrat and went to cover a peasant’s fair at village named Vautha about two hrs drives deep into country side of Ahmadabad. It is located on the border of Dholka Taluk of Ahmedabad district and Matar Taluk of Kheda. Is also called as confluence of Saptsangam Rivers. Means confluence of seven rivers, but in fact Sabarmati and Vatrak rivers meet there. In these village fair mainly decorated donkeys, camels and other animal are traded. So at the same time for the entertainment of villagers dance theatres, merry goes round, entertainments and amusement things were available with delicious, mouth watering eateries.

            Gujarat is also famous for Navratri festival in which people dance in traditional dresses, plays Garba and Dandiya Raas, in this way Makar Sankranti is also celebrated all over Gujarat where Kite festival is celebrated.

 When I reached the place was bubbling with peasants crowd and lot of activities were going on and people from surrounding villages came  in colorful attires adding more dimensions to it. Youngsters were involving themselves in dancing, singing and merry making and older were sitting and inhaling Hukkas or looking after their herds of camels in makeshift tents. It was just like Sonpur festival but only different was as Sonpur is famous for animal fair but the Vautha fair is famous for camel and donkey’s trade. This fairs was dominated by Bhil tribes, although their living is rough and below standard, mostly illiterate and indulged in odd jobs. They are considered as one of the oldest tribe in our country. It is said that once they were ruling in some parts of Rajasthan, Gujrat, Malwa, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar. As it is said that they are the cross section of Munda and wild tribes of India. Bhils are dominant tribe in that region close to Rajasthan with their sub tribe in Panchmahal, Vadodra and Bharuch district and with the close tribe of Rathava, Dhanaka, Patelia and Nayaka who live Gujrat and Madhya Pradesh.

While covering the fair I came across a Bhilni fully decorated in traditional garish blue attire and white bangles in her full arm and heavy jewellries, which was eagerly looking at my camera so I aimed at her and with her permission shot few frames.

Text and Photos by- Ashok Karan,

Ashokkaran.blogspot.com,

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