Bhopas display phads in night-long storytelling performances. Consider the following statements about these performances:
(A) The bhopa and his companion are accompanied by the ravanahattha and the veena.
(B) The Khyal style of singing is employed.
(C) A lamp is held against the phad to illuminate the images being spoken about.
(D) The bhopas themselves paint the phads they display.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → (A), (B) and (C) only
(A) The bhopa and his companion are accompanied by the ravanahattha and the veena. — Correct. They perform to the music of ravanahattha and veena.
(B) The Khyal style of singing is employed. — Correct. The bards sing in the Khyal style during the performance.
(C) A lamp is held against the phad to illuminate the images being spoken about. — Correct. The lamp lights up each image as its part of the story is told.
(D) The bhopas themselves paint the phads they display. — Incorrect. The bhopas only carry and display the phads. The painting is done by a caste called the Joshis, who were court painters of Rajasthan.
NCERT (2026-27): “Phads of Rajasthan …Illustrating the valorous tales of these bhomias, the phads, are carried by bhopas, the itinerant bards, who travel the territory, displaying them while narrating tales and singing devotional songs associated with these hero-deities in night-long storytelling performances. A lamp is held against the phad to illuminate images that are being spoken about. The bhopa and his companion perform to the accompaniment of musical instruments, such as ravanahattha and veena, and employ the Khyal style of singing. … Phads, however, are not painted by the bhopas. They have traditionally been painted by a caste called ‘Joshis’ who have been painters in the courts of the kings of Rajasthan.” |