Urdu (;["Urdu"](_blank)
''Hindi
Hindi (Devanāgarī: or , ), or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi (Devanagari: ), is an Indo-Aryan language spoken chiefly in the Hindi Belt region encompassing parts of northern, central, eastern, and western India. Hindi has been de ...
. The Naqqal
The Naqqal are a Muslim community found in the state of Uttar Pradesh and Delhi in India. They are also known as the Kashmiri Bhand and recently as Kashmiri Shaikh. The Naqqal are a sub-group within the larger Bhand community.People of India Ut ...
sub-group has done better, and now prefer the self-designation Kashmiri Shaikh. They are now a community of successful businessmen.
Bahand Pather of Kashmir
''Bahand Pather'' is a ''bahand'' of the Kashmir
Kashmir () is the northernmost geographical region of the Indian subcontinent. Until the mid-19th century, the term "Kashmir" denoted only the Kashmir Valley between the Great Himalayas and the Pir Panjal Range. Today, the term encompas ...
region in which stories commemorating the lives of (Sufi sages, both Hindus and Muslims) or more contemporary real or fictional figures are enacted. The storylines (or ''pathers'') are often humorous and satirical, and farce
Farce is a comedy that seeks to entertain an audience through situations that are highly exaggerated, extravagant, ridiculous, absurd, and improbable. Farce is also characterized by heavy use of physical humor; the use of deliberate absurdity o ...
is an essential component of the plays.
Naqal of Punjab
''Naqal'' (mimicry) is a strong ''bahand'' tradition in the Punjab region. The ''naqalchi'' (mimic, sometimes called the ''bahrupiya
A behrupiya or bahrupiya ( Hindustani: बहरूपिया or بہروپیا) is an impressionist in the traditional performing arts of India, Nepal and Bangladesh. Once popular and widespread, the art form is now in decline with most practiti ...
'') adopts the persona of a well-known person or character and improvises, using satire and farce extensively, to entertain the audience.
The Ustad and jamoora format
The ''ustad- jamoora'' format (''ustad'' means master in Hindustani, while ''jamoora'' is an assistant or follower who is usually younger than the ''ustad'') is a popular one in Hindi-speaking regions and involves only two ''bhand'' actors. Usually, the storylines consist of the ''ustad'' tutoring the ''jamoora'' to do or say something, and the ''jamoora'' responding with mechanical obedience with a subtle variation thrown in that creates a strong comical or satirical effect.
See also
*Behrupiya
A behrupiya or bahrupiya ( Hindustani: बहरूपिया or بہروپیا) is an impressionist in the traditional performing arts of India, Nepal and Bangladesh. Once popular and widespread, the art form is now in decline with most practiti ...
References
{{Indian Muslim
Muslim communities of India
Social groups of Jammu and Kashmir
Social groups of Uttar Pradesh
Muslim communities of Uttar Pradesh
Social groups of Pakistan
Folk artists
Performing arts in India
Performing castes
Performing arts in Pakistan