Phad and Ravanahatha — a story that travels
Through the night, the bhopa and bhopi sing the epic of folk deities before the phad, to the ravanahatha.
TIMES of RAJASTHAN · DARSHAN
Phad and Ravanahatha — a story that travels
Through the night, the bhopa and bhopi sing the epic of folk deities before the phad, to the ravanahatha.
Instruments

Ravanahatha
An ancient bowed instrument of coconut shell and bamboo, played by the bhopas as they narrate the phad.
Artists & communities
Bhopas and bhopis
Priest-singers of the folk deities who sing the story while pointing to its scenes on the phad.
More visual stories
Folk musicKesariya Balam — the songs of the ManganiyarsMaand singing from the Thar, the hum of the kamaicha and the clack of the khartal.5 scenes · with music · ♥ 11
Folk danceGhoomar — the dance of the swirling skirtSwirling ghagras, flowing veils and clapping rhythms at Gangaur, Teej and weddings.3 scenes · with music · ♥ 13
Folk danceKalbeliya — the serpent dance, a UNESCO heritageBodies sway like serpents to the pungi; on UNESCO’s intangible heritage list since 2010.4 scenes · with music · ♥ 1
FortsMehrangarh — the crown of the Sun CityFounded by Rao Jodha on the Chidiatunk hill in 1459, above the blue city of Jodhpur.4 scenes · with music · ♥ 4Photos: Nomu420 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) · MicheleLovesArt / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0) · Clément Bardot / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Marc Chang Sing Pang / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0) · Harshil Mehta / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)




