Bhailo, Power and Subaltern

-          Bhim Parjol

Abstract

The aim of this article is to investigate the process of hypnotizing subaltern along with the compulsion of the celebration of the carnival in social level. Such a study is important in Nepal to find out the causes and consequences of cruel power practice in terms of social carnivals. It enhances subaltern to think about the social impacts of carnival and how they are managed by their own activities. This research article is based on review of relevant literature and observation. Participation in the carnival strengthens the ideas which are presented here. From this research I have found the persuasion of power hegemony strong in the name of fundamentalism and traditionalism. The state power is imposed to the participants who consoled them to obey the power and praise it. Power holders are praised in every sector. Subaltern are only the followers of tradition which was established by elites to remain in power forever. Pure acceptance of hegemony remains under the shadow of authority without own representation. The main conclusion is to reform the tradition as the need of time and on behalf of subaltern. There should be equal participation of people in every social activity. In the name of tradition, culture, religion, carnival, festivals and several other aspects, subaltern should be represented well. Equal participation represents equality among people. If the carnivals are not reformed in time or remain bias to subaltern; those should be banned. With the knowledge and empowerment, subaltern should be represented well in each and every carnival; those carnivals which are for elites should be rejected. Equal representation is needed among the people who are the pure creators and pillars of those carnivals. The state has granted equality in the constitution. The guaranty of equality should implemented by reforming the bias social tradition, language, culture, festivals, carnivals and etc.  

Key words: Bhailo, Subaltern, Power Hegemony, tradition, Reformation.

Nepal is very rich in cultural heritage. Basically four ancient communities are spared in Nepali land. Mangolian, Indo Aryan, Khas and Ariban tribe settled in different parts of country with their unique religion, culture, tradition and territory. Later on by the sole autonomy of state power cultural solidarity is seen. Khas who were flourished and ruled from Karnali Region are now in the mainstream of social, political, religious dimension. Khas introduced several traditions, fundamental culture and several festivals/carnivals (Parva) on their own. They have started their own festivals and several carnivals for entertainment. Basically the agricultural community was not freed from their heavy task and unending concern. To get rid of those compulsions they managed several festivals by the help of all local habitants with the state authority. Later it got their fundamental culture. This is seen unique in performance along with its meaning at present. My concern is to give intensive look over Bhailo; the carnival of Khas, especially on internalization of power hegemony and representation of subaltern.

Bhailo is folk carnival of Kali- Karnali region of Nepal. Kali- Karnali region is the origin of Khas. Jumla was one of the most powerful states in western part of Nepal and its capitals were Sinja and Dullu for summer and winter respectively. The culture which was started in Khas state is still in practice over Kali and Karnali region, influence over the culture of Nepal. Bhailo song and dance in the form of carnival is performed in several districts of Western Nepal. Not only in Nepali territory but also it is performed in Kumau and Gadhawal of India.

Bhailo is celebrated in different times and places. Although there is differences on its performance and its style but the intention is quite same. The origin is to celebrate the victory on war. Initially it was celebrated as the festival of joy, later on it remain same in some of the places as well as slightly change on its performance  is carrying the same meaning and purpose. "Bhailo is celebrated on Aswin sankranti by burning the grass on the memory of victory of the then king Laxmi Chand of Kumaun over Garhwal"( Kurketi Bhishma).  Wher as in Jumla it starts from Mangsir full moon.

Sani Bhaili is performed in Mangsir Fool Moon and Thuli Bhaili is performed fifteen days after Sani Bhaili. It is performed by singing and dancing in group moving door to door. Children and youth perform Bhailo by going doors to doors of the locality. Thuli Bhaili is performed up to five days. Fifth day is called Chhada (open) Bhaili since it is performed on the open ground (Rimal).

Bhailo performed in the open ground as it is played like Deuda dance style. 

Huge mass of women spectators gathered around the ground where Bhailo is performed.

Mostly local people observe it as their own cultural dance and song in festival (Parva). Bhailo is kept in the category of Children folk song in Doti district (Chalise Vijaya), where as it is performed as folksong in Bajhang district (Khadaka Shyam Bahadur). I found typical in Dailekh district. The songs which are sang in group carry the same meaning as above mentioned the worship of victory on war but it includes the mixture form of Sani and Thuli bhaili quite differently than it is performed in Jumla district. It is performed in the Full Moon during Dashain (Kojagrat Purnima). Bhailio starts from the house of Thakuri and it moves towards the house of those people who were in power especially related with state power. It moves from one Tole to another but families consist the same power holders. Group of three or four people recite the songs and other people in group echo “Bhailiya Bhailo” or “Bhailo. While the leaders recite some focal events and emphasize on certain terms then the group echo “Sai Ho Sai Ho”(All Right, that’s true). The story reaches to Mansarobar, Jumla and the way comes nearer to the village. Different sub plots consist in the main journey. Later when Bhilo reaches in the respective houses it needs to separate from there by taking Winter Melon as the form of scapegoat as its reward and they leave the house. Performing songs and dance the Bhalo reaches to the open ground or field where it performs more systematically. There held fair with different sorts of singing and playing Deuda. Some especial Bhailo players and local musician (Damai) who play Damaha during the performance of Bhailo are given feast by those Bhailo leaders (elites).

Culturally it plays important role for mutual understanding among people by sharing their happiness and miseries.  The hidden meaning is not revealed for subaltern. It is most amusing but horrified. The emphasis is given to the power and its hegemony. Being the festival of celebration of victory, joy is obviously main purpose which can't deny the melancholic condition of ware feared and the defeaters. Celebration of power and its hegemony as well as to manipulate the mind of people to make worship of power unconsciously is one of the most dominant meanings it carries. So called the then power holders or their representatives are worshipped and highlighted more where as subaltern are not represented. Power is essential to rule over the world but when it is misused during its utilization makes subaltern suppressed and excluded from the representation. Subaltern are toiled more for the construction and to flourish Folk culture are unrepresented. “Representation of subaltern in Folk culture and literature is more than other forms of literature” (Shrestha Dr. Taralal), but it seems quite opposite in case of Bhailo. We can find huge participation of subaltern only as followers. Consciously and unconsciously subaltern are made to accept the power through this culture. Power is practiced either by force or by social contract. Social contract is more powerful then forceful supremacy. Power supremacy which is practiced by force seems cruel and inhuman, later or sooner suppressed reject it and it will end. But while it is exercised by social dogmas, culture, tradition, norms and values it becomes long lasting. Those who reject the power supremacy are accused immoral, asocial and social evils. It is the best way to suppress the powerless people. It is clarified by Taralal Shrestha “Elites are in power and their hegemony becomes more influence whether by social contract or use of force. Subaltern are exploited from social, religious, ethical and moral aspects.”(Shrestha, 39) 

Here in the case of Bhailo, it is the social contract of power hegemony. So called Panchayat’s  power holders such as Nayaks, Mukhiyas, Jimmawal, Sabhasad, and Pardhan are praised during Bhailo. Bhailo goes to their houses only which clearly shows the cruel nature of power. Starting Bhailo from the house of Thakuri,  who were once kings of the locality, its move towards the houses of so called power holders by singing and dancing impacts the psyche of subaltern that to accept power hegemony . Neither subaltern can speak nor do they accept to oppose the power. They internalize the power supremacy and practice it in their behavior to be the moral, social and ethical being. These are the terminology made by elites only to rule over subaltern. Neither people who are in power and its hegemony wants to be moral, social and ethical nor they leave to deliver speech on it. Social, moral and ethical terminologies are the shown teeth of elephant for power holders. Elites have power to define the words, term, law, and social customs. They define all the things in favor of themselves. They don't let go any definition against their hegemony.   If anything goes against the power they use state power which is obligatory for all to accept. Power connects more power and it becomes super power. Subaltern are unaware about the social contract of power. It seems logical that there needs power to rule over. But the transformation of power to elites only should be raised the question.

In the name of feasts Bhailo and like other folk festivals are in control of few power holders. If Bhailo like festivals are not kept in the category of folk culture people raise the question over it for its celebration. Playfully mind manipulation of subaltern is folk culture. In the songs there is impossible to find out the representation of subaltern. During the war between two sides the first liner fighter becomes from subaltern. Those who are captured in war basically the subaltern. Power and its hegemony get everything whatever elites need but the same thing is deprived for subaltern.  

Songs and dance with the rhythm of Damaha and Jhyali by carrying so called Nayaks(Leaders- icon of power) with the same dress and same rate of knots easily attracts the attention of people. Those people who perform dance give the impression as special and trained players. Different people take part in the dance as anticipation. Subaltern are made to praise the power take pleasure by thinking their own fundamental festival. The representation of players remain passive in the huge mass of people because of power hegemony of the then power holders. Elites don't want to be powerless. They want to give continuity of such festivals. Such types of festivals are the best way to exercise power. Continuity on such festival is seems continuity on their power hegemony. Socially they seem the preserver of tradition, constructor of culture but they intentionally give continuity on such traditions to remain in power. Other people who gather round there only to take pleasure from faire are hypnotized by sole power of the designers.

A view of Bhailo festival from upper distance.

Those fair and festivals are the greatest weapons to  worship of power. Political system or the change in political system, increasing literacy rate, increasing opportunities of employment, development can not destroy of the power hegemony neither is aware subaltern to speak against it if it is once internalized. People count the days for next year to enjoy the dance. Children play Bhailo in their games and compel their parents to tell the stories of Bhailo like festivals/carnivals. Women become spectators and are not allowed to dance with. Power hegemony double suppresses the women. Women are consider the carrier of folk culture which seems opposite in case of Bhailo. Bhailo can be taken as mass motivator factor to be suppressed. In the name of common and fundamental culture subaltern spontaneously involve strengthening the power of elites unknowingly.

Panchayat ideology of unitary culture, fairs, festivals, languages, customs is working up to those days strongly in our several activities. The system is changed or freed but subaltern who are hypnotized prefer to accept power hegemony of elites are the same.

“There are three key aspects to a human beings life- that is doing, feeling and thinking. Most of people are interested in what they are doing and how they are feeling about it, but the third dimension of "thinking" is more important (Sir Shree). Thought is the most influencing factor for behavior. Bhailo emphasizes more in thoughts rather than behavior. Those who were the founders seem more powerful that they focused on mind rather than behavior. I myself involved in Bhailo and played several time but I have realized it now. It is the continuity of power hegemony no more than that. Subaltern observe so called elites as their ideal heroes to perform any activities. Elites raise the issues of subaltern that how they become more and more oppressive than usual. Voices seem more suitable or predisposed for subaltern but its impacts play different roles as they expected since those voices are not in favor of subaltern. It is like characteristic of writers who give their own willing tone to the fictional characters. 

Different and innovative ideas are gathered by elites to oppress subaltern. In the illusion of common self they exploited subaltern from long duration of time. They have created literature, art, culture, policy, education, religion, festivals to dominate subaltern. Authority of define their coined term reserved with themselves. They use playful and dual meaning words or terminology and their dual meaning. Bhailo coined as folk culture/ festival is purely elite's ideology which flourishes among subaltern. Bhailo like so called folk festivals/carnivals play important roles to divert the mind of people easily that is one of the difficult tasks.

Finally Bhailo how it is performed and what meaning it convey is the elite's creation by the help of subaltern. Subaltern equally participate and internalize the festival as their own without considering deep meaning as well as effects. Being and coining as the folk festival Bhailo is hypnotizing subaltern. Bhailo has created its shape on the mind of subaltern then power holders find it comfort zone for utilization of power. Such biased folk festivals and carnivals are the strongest weapons to suppress powerless. We can’t find the equal representation of all local people on such carnivals. Playful term can’t represent the subaltern well. Such carnivals need to reform in time. Those festivals or carnivals should represent the common feelings of local inhabitant without being bias with power. Power should use on its positive aspects. If elites create the equal participatory environment for all then the carnivals get chance to sustain long. If the trained is continued as it was before and as it is going on in those days, will one day generate full stop. Such bias carnivals should be reformed or should end the performance.

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