Akhyana was a traditional form of musical theatre as well as a medieval genre of Gujarati and Rajasthani poetry, practiced primarily in the Indian states of Gujarat and Rajasthan.
Facts
Place of OriginGujarat and Rajasthan, India 1 Notable ExampleNalakhyan, the fifteenth-century Akhyana by the poet Bhalan retelling the story of Nala and Damayanti. 1 Defining TraitVerse narration built from Kadavun stanzas in three parts, Mukhabandh (preamble), Dhal (narration) and Valan (summary), performed with musical accompaniment by a Manabhatt narrator. 1 In the Other Atlases
- Also in Geography Atlas: India, originated there.
Sources
1. Akhyana (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia Foundation (Wikipedia)lead paragraph
It was primarily practiced in Gujarat and Rajasthan states of India.
Form section
Kadavun or the recitation has three parts: Mukhabandh (introduction or preamble), Dhal (narration) and Valan (Summary).
History section
The 15th century poet, Bhalan wrote large number of Akhyanas including the popular one, Nalakhyan depicting story of Nala-Damayanti.
Performers section
The narrator or professional storytellers who recited Akhyanas were called Manabhatt or Gagaria-bhatt.
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