GADDI AND THE BHALLBHA MITTAR

        Social life in Ladori even in olden days, was good as interdependence for various domestic and community obligations was quite evident.  People of the village were ready to help each other even at a short notice.  This had greatly helped the villagers to find themselves in much easier going position especially during local functions like marriages, community langars, religious processions, last rites etc. etc.  Relations of my village Ladori with the adjoining smaller and less privileged hamlets were also very cordial and problems, if any, were solved amicably through dialogue and persuasive methods.

       Gaddi, a centuries old gipsy community of Himachal Pradesh and Bakarwals of J&K State, those who used to live in cold to extreme cold upper reaches of snow capped mountainous regions of these states, from the times immemorial,  used to rear goats and sheep for wool, milk and meat. These people used to come  downhill from upper Himachal, trekking long distances of mountainous terrain, during onset of winters along with their belongings and herds. 

        Majority of men folks stay back with their flock searching greener pastures on the upper reaches for grazing their animals. Such animal herds are generally escorted by two sturdy dogs who manage to keep the animals together in a jhund and not let any sheep, goat or their siblings stray away from the main flock. 

         Elderly male members, women and children of the family came down to predetermined villages and local families, carrying domestic loads including milk vessels on their backs, to stay in respective homes.  They generally worked as domestic help mostly in return of food, clothing and shelter. 

        These people used to be of immense help on occasions of social functions and marriages as they generally undertook a whole lot of works such as cutting and felling of dry trees, carrying of firewood on their backs, maintenance of houses with mud and cow dung paste, white washing, washing of clothes, preparation of dry rations and specially dhaan kutai in the Ookhal with the help of Mohla, ( a man size wooden balli of six inch diameter with a firm gripping in the middle, is forced struck continuously and rhythmically, sometimes by two gaddi women at a time, striking on the the dhaan grains in the Ookhal, one after the other)

       These tribes, many of them consisting of number of typically fashioned males, wearing gold ear rings, heavy  silver necklace, bracelets and rings with multicolor stone beads worn around the neck, singing, dancing, clapping and laughing, these heavily  ornamented and humorous natured people create  an all round atmosphere of jubilee and rejoicing. Sometimes even with distorted features and being doubly overweight, who always kept young and the old of the village, engaged in superfluous conversations, amused them with their jocularly  body language and repetitive titbits.

       O' yeah,  Bhallbha Mittar was one  among such jolly good old fellows, of huge built and bushy long hair all over his body, who had been to our village Ladori for more than 40 years.  He was very popular especially among the local children, particularly the writer!. He was very well known for eating 16 Kukarian-de-Tikkar (A thick and heavy  yellow cornflower hand made roti) at a stretch with Raab (residue, look alike darkest brown raw honey, that is generally used for preparing tambaku for Hooka smoking). 

        Sometimes Bhallabha was teased by the youngsters by saying that "Bhalbha mittar bhola, rotian khanda solah".  Bhallbha would roam about in the village asking for Kukarian-di-Roti  at select doors, while knitting wool with the help of his wooden takli and holding the wool ball under the armpit and cracking funny jokes. His made to order leather nailed jutti,  pre-soaked in sarson oil, gave musical sound while walking.  Jutti's tip leather lace, turned tightly backwards  over the jutti and sealed atop along with colorful woolly flower, gave a princely look!

        A metal bansuri (Flute) and a lighter for striking fire in an emergency, was always handy with Bhallbha Mittar kept stuck horizontally into his waist woolen dora. Bhallbha's all season dress was made of self woven and sewn woolen designer cloth, open front chola with full arms and Himachali cap.  Heavy gold ear rings and number of multicolor stone bead malas graced the personality of Gaddi youth. Moustaches of different shapes sharply curved upwards or down, added to their ethnic getup.

        At the waist, the wrapped black woolen thick dora, the 'chola' formed the shape of a short  multilayered skirt over the knees. \Black heavy woolen dora wrapped around the waist  helped them carry heavy loads  easily and comfortably on their backs during journey from one place to another.

        The beautiful young Gaddi women were more cautious of their dressing sense and makeover. However, sharp and curved eyebrows over the beautiful eyes and on the pinkish gora and beautiful face, of some of them, were responsible for attracting many heartthrobs towards them, though unintentionally! Gold, silver and stone ornaments were used to be their favorite choice. Various types of gold and silver rings studded with colourful coral stones were their fancy. 

       Though use of cosmetics was not popular among them but use of local herbs and pastes like multani mitti, was most common with these tribal women. Their long floral multi-layered cloth front open robe (chola) up to toes, light woolen dora wrapped around the waist, colorful full arms  designer and studded bodice ( choli), silver necklace, gold nose and ear rings, multicolor kaanch-ki-choorian, miniature,  artistic and intricate mindi-knit hair-do, with a silver pyramid type chownk, studded with sparkling stones, affixed on the head, attracted each and everyone who passed alongside. 

       While on the move from one place to another, most of gaddi women carry on their backs, a cone type long basket woven of cane  and colorful jute thread,  strapped around the shoulders, filled with some urgent small house hold items and sometimes  a new borne lamb could be seen held atop this unique basket.
 
       Old women of these tribal people wore beautiful, finally crafted ornaments which are no longer in fashion like several kilograms of heavy solid silver necklace, armlets, bracelets and anklets, gold nose rings held with the support of fine gold chains going round the right ear.  Wearing of, at a time, number of multi colored stone beads of different sizes and shapes, was a must for a well dressed gaddi woman in her traditional attire.

       One such woman, Sundroo, a tall, slim, gori, jolly good and matured gaddi woman was still more famous, known for her beauty, dressing sense, bright and loud makeup and for singing pahadi folk songs.  Her meticulously carved out Laung (Nose Pin) of pure gold, studded with precious red coral always attracted the attention of by-passers with its lashkara!

       Since government has had been trying  hard for the last many decades in order to uplift them and other tribes like Bakarwals, most of the youth and their families have given up old gipsy way of life and  rearing of sheep and other animal stock.  In order to join the main stream, they have  come down to plains and taken to education and  joining mainstream.

        Very many bakarwal and gaddi families now have completely switched over  to white collar jobs  and have also joined armed and para military forces. Most of the youth can be seen working in public administration, forest and education departments including that of government and private sector undertakings!