Gavalan kala, a folk drama immortalizes days of childhood of lord Krishna

Among the various forms of folk dramas of Goa, Gavalan kala is one of the most popular folk drama forms deeply rooted in the mythological stories associated with the lord Krishna as a child and his teammates from Gokul. The drama is performed generally by the children including girls and boys.

Having the history of more than hundred years, this folk drama is prevalent mostly among temples in Goa and Konkan and is performed on the second day of the annual fair in the broad day light. It is a mixture of satire, critic, and fun fare where in lord Krishna as the child hero is the central figure. He with the help of his peer group entertains audience of varied age, sex, caste through melodious songs and dialogues.

Kansa, the king of Mathura who created reign of terror, made several attempts to kill Balkrishna but every time he had foiled the conspiracy and proved his extra ordinary talents and skills that was inspiration for the young and old from Gokul. He and his peer group entered the houses in Gokul and broke the hanging clay pots to relish on the yoghurt, milk and curd.

Gavalan kala, derives themes from the mythological stories related with the childhood days of lord Krishna in Gokul under his foster father Nanda and wife Yashoda who nurtured Balkrishna with utmost love and affection. The performers from this folk drama through acting, recitation, singing, dancing entertain the audience. In the company of milkmaids from Gokul, breaking their pots filled with milk, yoghurt, he invites their fury. But through emotional dialogues and acts, he eventually winning their hearts, make them not only to forgive him but to perform dance with him.

Anand Mhaskar, a folk artist from Tulshimala of Parye-Sattari of 65 years of age who initiated many cultural troupes to perform Gavalan kala since more than four decades, told, “Once this form of folk drama was performed in various temples of Goa, but now a days very few temples still have maintained the tradition of presenting Gavalankala, as they are attracted towards other mediums of entertainment. There is need to provide impetus for Gavalan kala tradition.”

In the old records of Goa’s communidade and temple committees, mention is found of the expenditure made to the performance of the Gavalan kala. The roles of Pendya, Bobda, Totara and Vakda cracks joke not only through their dialogues but also through acting. 

Vinayak Khedekar a well-known folklorist in his book entitled ‘Loksarita’ published in 1993 has recorded various forms of folk drama. About Gavlan kala, he says, “The cultural troupe from Mardol, Marcel, Khandola during first half of the 20^th century were performing Gavalan kala’s. The role of Krishna was given generally to beautiful girl. Harmonium, Tabla and cymbal are the musical instruments used in Gavlan Kala.”

In Goa once, Dashavtar kala, Gopal kala, Raat kala and Gavlan kala were performed. But today some of these forms of Kala are on the verge of extinction. Kala actually mean mixing food and eating joyfully. It is said that Balkrishna while taking the cattle for grazing, during the lunch time forgetting differences used to sit together and mixing lunch boxes brought by each one were eating collectively and afterwards were involved in playing a variety of traditional games, this tradition is believed to give birth to the Gavlan kala.

The cultural troupes from Marcela, Khandola, Mardol, Pilgao acclaimed fame through the presentation of Gavalankala. These troupes were invited and paid the honorium as per the tradition and not as professional fees. However, now a day’s very few troupes have continued the tradition of presenting the Gavalan kala on account of school going children who are engrossed in their day today school activities, homework and tutorials.

Pandurang Gaonkar, 70 years of age, from Vaigini of Bicholim who is involved in giving musical direction for this folk drama says, “The Gavalan kala is a folk tradition mainly associated with our temples wherein performers present varied facets from the life of Krishna as the hero of children. During olden time this form in absence of medium of entertainment like television was not only imparting cultural ethos, but also entertaining them.”

Most of the folk dramas usually are performed during the night time. However, the Gavalan kala is performed during the day time. Once, the participants were from local area. But today, troupes from outside, present Gavalan kala on the invitation.