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Difficulty: MediumState Society, Culture, and Heritage

With reference to the traditional folk heritage, scroll painting, and oral narrative arts of Western India, consider the following statements:

1. *Phad* is a narrative scroll painting tradition historically practiced by the Joshi community of the Bhilwara region to depict regional folk legends.
2. The epic narratives of folk deities like *Pabuji* are traditionally performed by priest-singers called *Bhopas*, accompanied by the bowed string instrument *Ravanahatha*.
3. A consecrated *Phad* scroll is treated as a mobile shrine and is ritually immersed in sacred waters when worn out through extended ceremonial use.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. A
    1 and 2 only
  2. B
    2 and 3 only
  3. 1, 2 and 3Answer
  4. D
    1 only

Answer

Statements 1, 2, and 3 are all correct.
The statement including '1, 2 and 3' is correct because Phad painting is an indigenous heritage of the Joshi artists of Bhilwara, performed nocturnally by Bhopa bards using the Ravanahatha, and decommissioned via sacred immersion when worn.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Evaluate the provenance and community lineage of Phad scroll art (Statement 1)
Statement 1 is correct
*Phad* is a traditional cloth scroll painting originating from Shahpura and Bhilwara in Rajasthan, predominantly created by the Chitera/Joshi artisan community to narrate the martial and spiritual legends of regional heroes.
2
Assess the performance medium, performers, and musical instrument (Statement 2)
Statement 2 is correct
The scroll serves as a visual backdrop for night-long ballad recitations led by *Bhopas* (priest-singers) and *Bhopis*, who play the *Ravanahatha*—a traditional bowed string instrument made of bamboo and coconut shell.
3
Examine the sacred status and ritual decommissioning practices of Phad paintings (Statement 3)
Statement 3 is correct
Because consecrated *Phad* scrolls are revered as portable temples of the deity, damaged or aged scrolls cannot be discarded casually; they are decommissioned through ritual immersion (*Thandi Karna*) in sacred waters such as the Pushkar Lake or the Ganga.

Key Concept

Phad Scroll Painting and Bhopa Oral Performance Heritage
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

State Society, Culture, and Heritage

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