From the Land of the Rajas:

Creativity in Rajasthan

Generally during the dry, winter months, a husband and wife team of bhopas will visit a village, carrying a rolled-up par, a large narrative cloth-painting illustrating Pabuji’s life.  In an open spot, often against a wall, the scroll will be spread out between two poles.  The audience sits before it on the sandy ground.  The bhopa recites the epic from memory, without improvisation.  Although the entire narrative takes about 36 hours to recite, the bhopa usually spends one night, from sunset to sunrise, telling a portion of the story.  He alternates between sections of gav (song) and arthav (declamatory speech that summarizes the story), accompanying the song with his spike fiddle (ravanhatha).  From time to time he dances, using his bow to point to scenes as he narrates them.  Although the entire proceeding is sacred, it is an informal occasion.  From time to time, the bhopa takes breaks, and children fall off to sleep.  His wife, the bhopi, helps with the singing, and illuminates the scroll with a small lamp. 

Camp of Pabuji bhopas
Photo by Renaldo Maduro, near Bhilwara, 1969–70

(L) Parbu Bhopo dances as he sings the Pabuji epic
Photo by John D. Smith, Marwar Junction, 1989

(R) Parbu Bhopo and his wife Rukma Devi performing the Pabuji epic
Photo by John D. Smith, Marwar Junction, 1989