Maach

Originally a drama in verse, it is only recently that dialogue has been introduced into the form. Maach is believed to be around 300 years old, and originally a Rajasthani folk theatre that survives in the villages of Madhya Pradesh. Sri Gopalji Guru is responsible for its presence in Malwa, and this former Spring theatre is now performed at any festival assembly.

Proceedings are sanctified through the opening bhisti raag (hymn) followed by the bhisti -farrasan samvad , a song and dance sequence that forms the overture to the drama. The plays are either historical, social or religious, but the cast of main characters remains unchanged. The bidhab or the shermarkhan is the clownish adviser to the central figure who is often enough a king.

 

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