THE FESTIVAL of Holi and brings with it the mood of joyful abandon. You can play pranks, poke fun, banter and batter each-other with colours, and no one takes offence. In line with the Holi bonhomie the walled city of Jaipur has an unique tradition of galibazi or singing satire in form of songs. Though the art of galibazi is fast going out of fashion yet there are a dozen groups in the walled city still sticking to the centuries-old practice. It is the time around the Holi festival, when the these groups assemble in the streets and organise the show of galibazi.
‘’It has all elements the of humour, satire, taunt... poetry,” says Virast Foundation’s Vinod Joshi. ‘The tradition of galibaazi was at its high peak when the city was ruled by Royals,” Mr Joshi said. The foundation has engaged in events to conserve the old tradition.
Between 1860 to 1865, in the era erstwhile King Swai Ram Singh, the art of galibazi was brought in from Jodhpur by Mathur families.
Jaipur’s Ramnarayan Sharma is an old and experienced performer of galibazi. He said that was the time when people came and delivered performed galibazi extempore. ‘’Galibazi was used much like a newspaper at that time as there was no other mass media at that time. The artists used this form to express people’s aspiration, grievances and joys,” said 78-year-old Sharma.
Not only that, the art was a way to hit at social evils,” he says. Jaipur’s Kailash Gour is also skilled in the galibazi and still his family support the art of galibazi. He said the programmes like laughter challenge occupied the space instead such old art forms.
‘’Galibazi means not to abuse someone or insult but it is the way to aim satire, comment or taunt, it involves all aspects of life including beauty, joy, laugh, sex, social evils all,” Mr Gour says.
The shows were often dominated by male artists and audience while women were asked to keep away.
‘’We can find galibazi’s mention in Ramcharitmans,” Mr Gour says. During marriage functions galis were sung to taunt relatives but it was not indecent in manner and aimed to merely have a good laugh.
‘’Look at the language used in galibazi. It is better than what is used in political shows or houses,” said an artist.