Bhailo

Bhailo and Deusi are traditional songs that are sung during the festival of Tihar in Nepal, Darjeeling hills, Sikkim, Assam, and some other parts of India.^[1] Children and teenagers sing these songs and dance as they go to various homes in their community, collecting money, sweets and food and giving blessings for prosperity.^[2] Bhailo is generally sung by girls, while Deusi is sung by boys. At the end of these songs, the woman of the house serves food and gives money to these Deusi/Bhailo singers and dancers. In return, the Deusi/Bhailo team gives blessings for high income and prosperity.^[3][4][5]

Origin[]

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According to mythology, when lord Vishnu allowed king Bali to come to Maitry loka for five days on Yama Panchak. Bali was rich king of Patal Loka. To keep pride and show that Maitry loka is better than Patal Loka, gods put lights on the five days of Yama Panchak which is celebrated as Tihar in Nepal. ^[6] However, this explanation of king Bali do not quote about how the origin of singing originated.

According to story from western Nepal, the king of Jumla Kingdom is credited for the origin of signing in Tihar. The story says that after the Khas Kingdom was overthrown, a child was born in Jumla. His name was Bali. His mother had migrated from Kashmir region when she was pregnant. She stayed in Kallai area of Jumla in a house of Thapa Chettri caste. It is believed that she was made pregnant by her own father or siblings. She gave birth to Bali in the same house. ^[6]

One day, a scholar from Kashmir came to Jumla for pilgrimage and identified the child as charismatic and pronounced him as the king of the region. On those days, there was slavery system called Daas Pratha and king used to have them in his palace as servant called Dev Dasi. Bali has had Dev Dasi in his palace. On the day of Laxmi Puja, on the request of Dev Dasi, king Bali allowed them to go out and receive alms from the community. He also announced to his subjects not to overlook those Dev Dasi when they come for alms. Because the King Bali sent them, the song of Bhailo has a sentence saying "we did not come here by ourselves.. king Bali send us here. The phrase Deusi Rae is believed to be a converted form of Dev Dasi Rae.^[6]

Entertainment[]

The Deusi/Bhailo programme provides cultural entertainment by a group of men and/or women who move around their local area singing the Deusi/Bhailo song and other songs. The group is usually composed of a lead chanter/singer and a chorus group and sometimes additional participants such as musicians and dancers. The lead chanter/singer wishes blessings upon the owners of the house where the team visits. Traditionally, the programme is all live and uses minimal electronic instruments. The entire programme can last from about 10 minutes to half an hour in one house. Then the group moves to another location to perform. The programme is held on the third and fourth days of Tihar, where Bhailo is performed on the third day (Laxmi Puja) and Deusi is performed on the fourth day (Gowardhan Puja).^{[citation needed]}

References[]