Bhand Jashna

Its the extremely popular satirical rural theatre of Kashmir. Bhand means clown and jashna refers to festival. The plays themselves are known as pather. Subject matter can range from the political situation to the evils of the dowry system, from the village money-lenders to the simplest peasant. The settings are often mythological and semi-historical so as to avoid the charge of slander.

The performances may take place during the day or in the evening, and the players always make their way through the spectators to the play area. The evening begins with an invocation to God. Imitations and the antics of the clowns (maskharas) follow.

The plays are in Kashmiri, but there is a generous sprinkling of Persian, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu as and when the play warrants. The costumes are a mix of historical and contemporary, usually accompanied by colorful headdresses.

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