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Raipur News: The scene of marriage in villages still seems very traditional and romantic. The wedding pavilion made of blackberry branches in the courtyard, the relatives gathered in the house and the tunes of Mohri, Nisan, Dhol and Karkadi resonating in the atmosphere create a world of joy.
Raipur. Even though the fast pace of modernity has made DJ, drums and band tunes popular in the villages of Chhattisgarh, Gadwa Baja still has the same strong hold on the roots of traditions. Due to the influence of changing times, its demand has definitely decreased in the last decade, but the entire atmosphere of village weddings, god worship and traditional rituals is still considered incomplete without the echo of Gada-Gudroom. Villagers believe that Gadwa Baja is not just a musical instrument but an emotional heritage, which has been giving voice to the happiness and faith of the village for generations.
The wedding scene in villages even today seems very traditional and grand. The pavilion made of blackberry branches in the courtyard, the relatives gathered in the house and the tunes of Mohri, Dhol, Nisan and Karkadi resonating in the atmosphere seem to create a different world of joy. Gadwa Baja also proves useful for the villages from economic point of view. While booking a four-hour band involves a huge expense, the artists playing Gadva Baja provide their services for the entire wedding for three to four days. Usually, a party charges only Rs 8 to 10 thousand and food is also served at the wedding house itself, due to which there is no additional burden on the rural families.
This art has been prevalent in the villages of many districts including Raipur and Mahasamund for centuries. Many families have been making their living by playing only this instrument for generations. This musical tradition has a special identity in Odisha and Chhattisgarh. The group of Bajgaris consists of four to 10 artists, including a dancer, who makes the atmosphere even more lively with his distinctive dance style. Artists say that till a decade ago, they used to earn good money during the wedding season, but now the increasing popularity of DJs and bands has affected both their work and income. Despite this, due to lack of options and ancestral respect, they are earning their livelihood by following this tradition.
Shehnai was also affected
The changing times have also affected Shehnai. Shehnai, once considered an integral part of marriage, has now almost disappeared. Where earlier the sweet sound of Shehnai was considered a symbol of peace, purity and initiation of marriage, now DJs and bands playing loud tunes in the procession and mandap have taken its place. Due to this the number of Shehnai players has also decreased rapidly.
Gadwa Baja is not just music but a living heritage of hundreds of years old culture of Chhattisgarh. Modernity may have brought new tunes, but this traditional instrument still beats in the veins of the villages. It is not just an art but it is the voice of folk culture, which maintains its identity even in every change of time.
