A city-based actor-singer brings the female tradition of dahkan from Mithila to a Kalyan venue, to explain and revive a lost culture of playful satire in weddings
Vibha Rani performs a song
With December already on the horizon, more and more couples are looking up dates for their big day. While DJs, destination weddings, and aesthetic looks are all the rage, for Vibha Rani, the joy of a quiet intimate village wedding is something else. “People forget that these little customs had their own joy and delight,” the folk singer-actor shares. This weekend, she will bring one of those customs, the songs of dahkan, to the suburb of Kalyan.
“Dahkan or gaali geet is a tradition of songs that comes from the region of Mithila. These are songs sung by the women related to the bride, and also at family gatherings, often as icebreakers to ease the tension, and for fun,” she shares. These folk songs trace their roots to the 14th Century poet Vidyapati, and later the 18th Century compositions of Snehalata.
“It becomes a part of women’s discourse in the villages. Their own secret sisterhood to make fun of all the men dressed up for the wedding, without causing a fracas,” she reveals, adding, “My attempt is to remind people that there is more to a village wedding than just customs and rituals. There is gentle poetry as well.”
ON November 30; 11 am
AT Snickerdoodle Coffeeworks, The Work House, Rambaug, Kalyan West.
LOG ON TO @community_kaarkhana (to register)
Entry Rs 500
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