From the Land of the Rajas:

Creativity in Rajasthan

Since the early 16th century, rural Rajputs and Rebari shepherds and camel herders have worshipped the hero Pabuji.  He seems to have been a real person, a minor ruler of the Rathor Rajputs, living in Marwar (around Jodhpur) during the early 14th century.  Believed by many to be an incarnation of Lakshmana, brother of the god Rama, he is prayed to during the sickness of humans and livestock and for other misfortunes.  Although there are temples dedicated to him, for at least the past two centuries his worship has centered around the ritual performance of a lengthy epic poem recounting his exploits.  By tradition, these stories have been recited by bhopas (folk priests) of the Nayak caste, who travel from village to village with a painted scroll illustrating his story.

Painting a scroll, detail
Photo by Renaldo Maduro, Bhilwara, 1969–70

Painting a miniature scroll
Photo by Renaldo Maduro, Bhilwara, 1969–70