GAMBHIRA : A RITUAL OF MASK AND PERFORMANCE IN THE PRESENT DAY MALDA DISTRICT, WEST BENGAL, INDIA

Abstract (English)

Gambhira is the name of an annual ritualistic festival, associated with the worship of Lord Shiva, a God of Hindu pantheon. The festival is held in most of the villages of Malda district in northern part of the state of West Bengal, India. Previously, this ritual was performed in the undivided state of Bengal, in the districts of Rangpur, now in Bangladesh; Dinajpur and Gour, in India, now known as Malda. There are varied literary evidences of ancient times about the meaning of the word Gambhira. One suggested it as a place where Lord Shiva was worshipped. Others said that Shiva locally was called Gambhira. At present, Gambhira refers to the annual ritual associated with mask dance, song and other performances. Date of its observance varies from place to place. It may be held on the last day of the Bengali month of Chaitra (mid. April); or on the first or last calendrical day of the next month Baishakh (mid April /mid. May ). This ritualistic festival was practiced by the people of Hindu lower caste groups of North Bengal but presently, people of higher castes also observe it. Masks are important features of the ritual. Mask dance called Mukha nach is performed by the devotees during the festival.
Though Gambhira is associated with the worship of Lord Shiva, masks of Goddess Chamunda, another form of Goddess Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva, is also worshipped. The present paper aims at describing the rituals and performances of Gambhira by both Hindu lower and higher caste groups. It will also explain the worship of goddess Chamunda alias Shakti, embodiment of power, in the region.