গম্ভীরা

Domain:Performing arts

State:

Description:

The video is a documentary film on the folk art form from Malda in West Bengal called Gambhira. The film is directed by Bappa Sen and includes interviews with performers. Gambhira is more than a hundred and fifty years old and is a unique song and dance art form which used to be traditionally presented during the annual Shiva festival in Malda known as the Gambhira utsav. Gambhira art is an invocation to Lord Shiva. The word 'gambhir' is said to stand for 'Shiva' and 'ra' is for 'prayer.' It is a folk art form which has emerged from the people and presents themes of social inequality, economic imbalance and exploitation in a satirical and critical manner. A gambhira performance usually consists of five stages, the bandana (invocation to Lord Shiva), dwaita (duet), charyaari, palabandi gaan (taunting or provocation) and khabar (reporting).