Nagpur: Dengu, Chikungunya, Potholes Gheun Jaa Ge Marbat chants reverberated in the parts of East Nagpur on Tuesday. Nagpurians once again drove out societal evils through the vibrant celebrations of the Marbat and Badgya festival. This unique event, held on the second day of Pola, is a cherished tradition exclusive to Nagpur and has been celebrated for over a century.
This year, the Kali (Black) and Pili (Yellow) Marbats marked the pursuit of issues like dengue, chikungunya, and potholes torturing the Nagpur citizens. This festival, which is known nationally and internationally, featured the traditional processions of the Kali and Pili Marbat effigies from early morning. People celebrated by dancing to the beats of Dhol Tasha and DJ music during the processions. When the processions reached Nehru Square, the two effigies — Kali and Pili Marbat — symbolically embraced each other.
The Teli community from the Jagnath Budhwari area in Nagpur began celebrating the Pili Marbat Festival in 1885. This year marks the 144th anniversary of the Kali Marbat tradition and the 140th anniversary of the Pili Marbat tradition.
Marbat: Burning evils and superstitions:
During the British rule in India, Lokmanya Tilak initiated the Ganeshotsav in Pune to unite the citizens. Following this inspiration, the Marbat Festival was started in Nagpur. In ancient times, many harmful customs and traditions existed that were detrimental to humankind. The purpose behind the Marbat Festival is to symbolically burn away these evil customs and superstitions while welcoming good traditions and progressive thoughts. The festival is even referenced in the context of the Mahabharata era.
The Marbat and Badgyas (effigies) in the festival are considered symbols of evil forces. The purpose behind the festival is to parade these evil forces through the city with much fanfare and then burn them outside the city limits, symbolizing the cleansing of the city and the intent to keep it clean, pollution-free, and free from problems.
Badgyas:
The ‘Badgyas’ – satirical plays that address pressing social and political issues — served as a powerful platform for voicing public outrage.
Organisers of the Badgya Utsav took out ‘Badgyas’ protesting the heinous crimes committed against women in Kolkata and Badlapur. The incidents have sparked widespread condemnation across the nation, with calls for death penalty for the perpetrators. Additionally, the demand for implementation of the Shakti Act in Maharashtra too has gained momentum.
The Bharatiya Janata Badgya Utsav Samiti led the charge, organising a ‘Badgya’ at Chakna Chowk in Lalganj area to denounce the rape incident in Kolkata. The protesters demanded swift justice and the hanging of criminals.
Another prominent Badgya was organised by the Chhatrapati Shivaji Badgya Committee. The event emphasised the need for severe punishment for such heinous acts and called for a society free from violence.
Apart from protests against rape, the procession featured bards commenting on various other political and social issues reflecting the diverse concerns of the community. This year, Badgyas focused on unemployment, paper leak, inflation, freebies, and many other issues.
