The Folklore of Ghaagh-Bhaddri

In various parts of India, there have been forecasters who have incorporated intriguing elements of astronomy in folklore. In Assam and Eastern States there have been Dak and Khanna, in the northern states, Ghaagh-Bhadri, and in Andhra Pradesh Tenali Rama.

Having grown up in the lap of the agricultural community in Kaimur, it is not uncommon to hear the couplets of Ghaagh-Bhaddri, often proclaimed with gusto by rural farmers. However, there remains much controversy about the life of Ghaagh-Bhaddri; whether they were two different personalities or one, married individuals or a creative alias. While some say that their birth is attributed to the Malwa region, yet others proclaim it to be western provinces or Bihar. Interestingly, several Bhojpuri words are found in their compositions such as bhataar (husband), patohu (daughter-in-law), matari (mother), bardha (oxen), bihaan (morning), etc, making this poet, quite popular in the plains of Bihar.

An agriculturist-poet-astronomist, Ghaagh-Bhaddri, wrote a series of compositions in the late 16th - early 17th century, commenting on climatic conditions affecting agriculture and reflections on agrarian society and lifestyle. At a time when there were no satellites or scientific guidelines, Ghaagh-Bhaddri drew from observable nature and astronomy to outline best practices for agriculture based on weather patterns. Their predictions, based on the nakshatras, which are astrological chartings related to the lunar asterisms, Ghaagh-Bhaddri’s couplets outline how natural elements like wind and rain interact, leading to its effect on agriculture.

Hoye shukra ko badri, rahe shani ko chhaye,
kahe Ghaagh sun Bhaddri, bin barse na jaye.

On Friday, if there are clouds and on Saturday if they continue to remain so, says Ghaagh to Bhaddri (presumably his creative alterego), it will definitely rain on Sunday.

Ek paani jo barse swati,
Kurmin pahne sone ki paati 

One rainshower during Swati nakshatra (24th Oct-5th Nov) leads to bumper crops; enough to load the farmer's wife with gold ornaments 

Much like agricultural knowledge, the wisdom of Ghaagh-Bhaddri has been passed down as part of the farming community’s oral tradition. Ancient wisdom, celebrated as familiar folklore, his work is also prevalent in surrounding areas of Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand. The compositions provide observations and guidelines giving farmers an opportunity to plan their agricultural processes based on these weather predictions. 

 

Purva rope pur kisan, 
aadha khakhri, aadha dhaan

If the cultivator does not finish transplanting before Purwa (before Aug 30), half the crop will be paddy and half chaff.

Hathiya nakshatra me haanth-goade,
Chitra me renda,
Chaddhat Sewati Jhampa Jhora

The paddy crop during the Hathiya Nakshatra (27th Sep-12th Oct) is the time when the paddy stalks gain strength and flower during Chitra (12th Oct-24th Oct) asterism and finally during Sewati stalks bend, laden with grains.

Ghaagh-Bhaddri goes beyond crop and weather cycles to additionally comment on seasonal eating patterns.

 

Uthke bajra, yun hassi bole, 
khaye buddha, jawan ho jaye.

Bajra gets up, laughs and says, even if an old person eats me, they will become young.

Chaite gur, baisakhe tel, jeth ka pant, asaad ka bel,
saawan saag na bhaado dahi, kwaar karela  kartik mahi,
agahan jeera, puse dhania, maaghe misri, phaagun chana

A rhyme highlighting what foods are to be avoided in which month/season:
Jaggery in Chait (Mar – Apr), oil in Baisakh (Apr – May), panth in Jyeshth (May – Jun), sirphal in Ashadh, leafy vegetables in Shravana (Jul – Aug), curd in Bhadrapad (Aug – Sep), bitter gourd in Ashwin (Sep – Oct), buttermilk in Kartik (Oct – Nov), jeera in Agahan (Nov – Dec), coriander in Pausha (Dec – Jan), crystalized sugar in Magha (Jan – Feb) and chickpea in Phalguna (Feb – Mar).

While climatic and agricultural science has come a long way since, the folklore of Ghaagh -Bhaddri has served as a ready reckoner to farmers in the centuries since. For those who may not otherwise have had access to education or scientific training, it provides a lyrical format for memorization. While many around us swear and claim that these compositions have weathered the test of time, it is also clear that the changing climatic conditions have certainly modified the accuracy of any weatherly advice.