Alirajpur girls’ pre-Holi silver sprint to Bhagoriya haat harmony, the tribal way

Walpur (Alirajpur): Just after noon, a group of teenage girls from a hillside hamlet stood near the entrance of the haat, adjusting their silver necklaces and straightening each other's dupattas before stepping in together. They saved for months for this day. Behind them, their fathers parked tractors along the dusty edge of the ground, while younger siblings ran ahead at the sound of drums. This is Bhagoriya in Alirajpur's interior belt — the annual pre-Holi tribal fair where villages converge not only to trade goods, but to celebrate community, colour and continuity.By the time the first drumbeat rolled across Walpur on Friday, the village already changed shape. From the narrow approach roads to the open haat ground, people kept arriving in waves for Bhagoriya in the interior belt of Alirajpur.Jeeps came packed so tightly that young men stood wedged against one another. Buses slowed under the weight of passengers seated on the roof. Tractors carried entire families, elders seated in the centre, children gripping the wooden sides."We go to all the nearby melas," said Bheru Lal, who travelled from a nearby hamlet with over a dozen relatives. "If we come late, we miss the best part of the mela."The fairground did not feel like a marketplace alone. It felt like a reunion. Women in bright traditional ghagras walked in groups, their heavy silver necklaces resting against colourful blouses, bangles stacked up to the elbow. They paused to greet relatives, compare outfits, and laugh. Many coordinated their attire in groups."We get matching dresses stitched for our sisters and friends," said Ritu Bhilala, standing with 5 cousins dressed in similar shades of green and red. "Preparation begins weeks before the mela. We plan colours together. We clean the jewellery. This is not done in a hurry."As the mandal and dhol gathered pace, a group of young women stepped forward. They formed a circle and began to dance, feet striking the ground in rhythm, shoulders swaying in unison. The sound of anklets blended with the drums. Older women watched from the side, some nodding in approval, others joining briefly before stepping back. 3 generations shared the same space, dressed differently or similarly, yet bound by the same beat.Even the tiny tots were seen dressed in coordinated attire with their mothers and other family members.Young tribal boys and girls moved through the crowd with selfie sticks held high, angling for the perfect frame as the mandal played behind them. Groups paused mid-dance to record short clips, adjusting turbans or smoothing dupattas before the camera rolled. "We upload our reels the same day," said 18-year-old Mahesh, laughing as he replayed a video with his friends. "Our relatives in other villages and even in cities wait to see Bhagoriya online."For those who now live away from the village, Bhagoriya remains non-negotiable. Sunita, a nurse in Indore, returned home specifically for the fair. "This is the time we come back home for 2 or 3 days to be a part of Bhagoriya," she said. "It is an essential part of our identity. We feel connected."Vendors selling ornaments, sweets and farm tools reported steady business through the afternoon. Police personnel remained stationed across the venue, and officials confirmed that the celebrations were peaceful.District administration staff members were also present at the Bhagoria festival, maintaining law and order and enjoying the traditional vibe, dressed in traditional attire. "We keep a check on all the villagers here so girls and women feel safe and no untoward situations arise," said Nisha Chauhan, a patwari on duty at Walpur Bhagoria.From Holi colours to ornaments to household essentials, all were on display near the mela area.As dusk settled and vehicles once again filled beyond capacity for the journey back, the drums did not stop immediately. In Walpur, Bhagoriya was not a performance for visitors. It was a lived tradition, carried on shoulders, sung in rhythm, and renewed each year by those who return. MSID:: 128855527 413 |