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In this episode, we travel through the stories of Raju Bharti and his troupe from Bundi, Rajasthan, who bring the desert's history to the streets of Chandigarh. Their art is not merely entertainment — it is a living retelling of sacrifice, honor, and a promise kept.
🐎 The Legend of Veer Teja Ji: A Promise Kept
Dancers wearing the bamboo-frame 'Kacchi Ghodi' representing Teja Ji's mare.
The dance is not merely entertainment; it is a retelling of history. Group leader Shankar Lal Nagar explains that their art is dedicated to Veer Teja Ji Maharaj, a folk deity born in Kharnal, Nagaur. Teja Ji is revered not just for his bravery in battle, but for his supreme integrity.
The legend goes that Teja Ji encountered a snake while on his way to save a herd of cows. The snake intended to bite him. Teja Ji pleaded with the snake to let him save the cows first, promising to return. True to his word (Vachan), after saving the cows — and being wounded in battle — he returned to the snake.
Key Insight: The Value of 'Vachan'
The Kacchi Ghodi dance symbolizes the bond between the warrior and his trusty mare, Leelan (Lilghar). The performance originated from elders singing these ballads of sacrifice and honor on village platforms (Chabutra), eventually evolving into a visual spectacle to keep the history alive for younger generations.
⚔️ The Art of Mock Combat
"Kacchi" means raw or bamboo, and "Ghodi" means mare. The dancers wear a costume made of bamboo frames, papier-mâché, and mirror work that looks like a horse.
Paired Combat
The dancers often perform in pairs, wielding swords and moving back and forth to the beat of the Dhol. This choreography mimics a mock fight or a cavalry charge.
Wedding Tradition
It was historically performed to entertain bridegroom parties (Baaraat) and to showcase the martial history of the region — turning celebration into remembrance.
🎺 The Breath of the Desert: The Algoza
While the visual of the horse captures the eye, the sound of the Algoza captures the soul. Played by master musician Ram Kalyan Ji, the Algoza is a double-flute instrument.
Key Insight: Circular Breathing
Playing the Algoza is incredibly difficult. It requires a technique called Circular Breathing. The musician must blow air into the flutes continuously to maintain a drone sound while simultaneously inhaling through the nose to keep the melody alive. There are no pauses for breath — the music flows like a river.
🥁 The Full Instrument Family
Algoza
Double-flute — drone + melody
Dhol
Drum — the heartbeat
Chari
Percussion pot
Thali
Metal plate rhythm
🌍 30 Years on the Road
The troupe from Bundi has traveled from Maharashtra to Himachal to perform.
Raju Bharti shares that he has been part of this tradition since 1990. For over three decades, the group has lived a nomadic life, traveling from Bundi to Mumbai, Nagpur, Amritsar, and Chandigarh.
Is it tiring? Yes. The costumes are heavy, and the travel is long. But Raju Ji smiles when asked about the fatigue.
🐎 Keep the Tradition Alive
From village Chabutras to city stages — these artists carry centuries of history in every step, every note, every breath.
The Kacchi Ghodi is not just a dance. It is a living archive of Rajasthani valor, sacrifice, and the unbreakable bond between a warrior and his mare.
🎨 About The Artists
Raju Bharti & Troupe
Folk Artists from Bundi, Rajasthan | Kacchi Ghodi & Algoza Performers
For over 30 years, Raju Bharti and his group — led by Shankar Lal Nagar — have carried the legacy of Veer Teja Ji from the villages of Rajasthan to stages across India. With Ram Kalyan Ji's Algoza breathing life into every performance, they keep a centuries-old tradition alive — one gallop at a time.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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