Bhanwari Devi ruled the roost at Johpur RIFF. She is fast becoming the face of Rajasthan's folk music. By K Bhardwaj
The dehati woman might have been an embarrassing reference in the political spheres, as suggested by the recent controversy between India and Pakistan. But we met one such woman in Jodhpur RIFF last week who was unarguably the head-turner of the international music festival. Meet 50-year-old Bhanwari Devi from Mandawa village of Rajasthan. The popular folk singer, well-known in the state, has performed in local festivals, fairs as well international platforms in India and abroad. A mother of nine children, she is famously known for her Kattey song with Hard Kaur and Ram Sampath she performed at MTV Coke Studio. The ease with which she settles down in the evening performance at Jodhpur RIFF with musical group Gypsy All Stars startled us. “I happened to be a fortunate kid. My father-singer, Dana Khan, encouraged me a lot and I used to perform with him on his tours. It’s unbelievable to receive so much of admiration and love,” she said.
The voice comes from behind the veil. Bhanwari never shows her face during the performance, something which made her audience intrigued too, when she sang with unapologetically frank rapper Hard Kaur. “A lot of foreign people ask me to remove this pardah. They think it is bold. But I respect my tradition. I will continue to remain in pardah till I die,” she said. Bhanwari is proud that she has changed people’s attitude towards herself, her community and village. “Forget about my orientation, they come and pose and click photographs. I am thankful to God,” she said. Does she riyaaz regularlyIJ “No! Only sometimes, like twice a week. I think this talent of singing is God-gift. So I don’t have to assert myself,” she said.
She is mostly accompanied by her 25-year-old son Krishna Kumar. He plays Harmonium. “I have six sons and three daughters. Three sons are learning singing but daughters are married and don’t like to sing. Their in-laws are not encouraging. So I don’t force anybody to this legacy forward,” she said. Krishna Kumar has formed her group as well, called ‘Krishnakumar and party’. They charge from Rs 40,000 and above depending on the scale of event and distance they have to cover.
Bhanwari’s first major debut was in 2001 when she performed at a big concert in Rajasthan organised by Jaipur Virasat Foundation. Since then, she has been performing regularly and has become one of the most popular faces of the state's folk music. “I want to thank people to accept an uneducated woman like me. I am blessed,” she said.