Bhojpuri. Introductory notes.

Development and evolution

Bhojpuri is a language spoken in the north-central and eastern part of India. It also has its presence in
the western part of the state of Bihar, the north western part of Uttar Pradesh and so be, in Guyana,
Suriname, Trinidad and Mauritius. The mother tongue and ancestral language of around 150 million
people worldwide and around 75% of Mauritians who are of Indian origin. Mauritius is one of those
countries where Bhojpuri is spoken as a first or second language. The Bhojpuri language has been
heavily influenced by other languages in many part of the world, for example in Mauritius; Bhojpuri
includes many Creole, French and English words. Bhojpuri is one of the richest languages especially for
its unlimited and wide range of intangible culture heritage.

The mother-tongue of many citizens, Bhojpuri is deep-rooted in the Mauritian mores. It was introduced
by those indentured labourers who came on our island years and years ago as slaves from India. They
brought with them their culture, their religion and their language. Bhojpuri songs have accompanied our
forefathers all the way in their struggle. They would find peace while singing the “Birha” (songs of
separation), the “Lallna” (birth songs), and the “Jaatsaar” (work songs) and even in “sabadh” to
accompany the soul of a person. It remains even to this day a powerful means of communication that
cuts across ethnicity, though with the prominence given to Western languages and Creole.

Bhojpuri - history

Bhojpuri is ingrained in the Mauritian soil in as much as the sweat and tears of the indentured labour
immigrants who were brought to produce the wealth of the island following the proclamation of the
abolition of slavery on 1st February 1935 and even before that date as from August 1834 and certainly
officially as from 2 November 1834. The regular movements of indentured labour immigrants from India
gave rise to a lucrative business – that of the exploitation of man for a back-breaking work in sugar cane
fields that would eventually lead to the building of a prosperous sugar industry which remained the
backbone of the island's economy till the end of the 20th century.

The term Bhojpuri though not so recent has been used officially in Mauritius only since a few decades to
define the ensemble of a people who migrated from the hinterland of Calcutta, and the Eastern
Gangetic Belt, their culture and their specificities. In fact, the term has been introduced in the Indian
diaspora of the plantation economy at more or less the same period.

According to P.C. Roy Chaudhury, special officer of the Gazeteers Revision Scheme, Patna the word
Bhojpuria was first mentioned as a language in 1789.

In Mauritius before the term Bhojpuri became prevalent, the people who arrived from the port of
Calcutta were known collectively as the Calcuttias and their language as Calcuttia or mottia boli to
differentiate it from Hindi viewed as a refined 'bhasha' and language of prestige and esteem.

It is useful to give a sub-division of Bhojpuri itself, considered as one of the major dialects of Bihari Hindi,
because there is such a total confusion regarding this language in Mauritius. In fact, quite a few people
in Mauritius have the misconception that it is a dialect originating from Hindi just as Creole has
developed from French. It is referred to as a broken Hindi. Nothing can be more distant from the truth.
Known as the Western most dialect of the Eastern or Magadhan Group of Indo-Aryan language, Bhojpuri
is the

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major development of the Eastern Apabhramsa, derived itself from Sanskrit, Prakrit and subsequently
Pali. It forms part of the Bihari Hindi, that includes also Magahi, Maithili and Awadhi.

The first wave and second generations of Bhojpuri immigrants adopted a Bhojpuri language to suit their
new surroundings enriching it from local borrowings to denote new artefacts and material belongings
which did not originally exist in their traditional home or village background way back in India. They
were cut off from the original language pattern and vocabulary. The immigrants' children born and
brought up in a new environment imbibed that amount of Bhojpuri from their parents that would suit
their needs and they continued to borrow from other languages largely from Creole (itself derived from
French to a large extent, and smaller extent from English, to satisfy their social expressions and needs).

By virtue of the great demographic numbers of its speakers Bhojpuri became a common lingua franca in
Mauritius. There was a time when all linguistic groups from India adopted Bhojpuri as a means of
communication and social interaction. Even the white estate manager and sugar plantation overseer,
and the Chinese village shopkeeper had recourse to Bhojpuri to communicate with the rural Indian
masses. To this day other Mauritian communities including Chinese, Creoles can speak some Bhojpuri.

Bhojpuri has contributed immensely to the semantics of Mauritius. Bhojpuri terminology, proverbs,
sayings, riddles and charades, swear words, folklore, folk tales, phraseologies, children's games (oka
boka tin te loka, lawa lathi chanan kaate) and above all songs including both traditional festive and ritual
lyrics and modern songs composed by local artists make of Bhojpuri a vibrant, pulsating and intrinsic
aspect of the Mauritian linguistic landscape. Its use in the market place, and as a tool of socialisation as
well as a language of home environment and heritage adds colour to the linguistic map of Mauritius.
Bhojpuri indeed charms by its sweetness, the romance and nuances of its morphology.

Bhojpuri - STATUS

The Mauritian nation should consider itself fortunate to have Bhojpuri as part of its varied linguistic
heritage. Bhojpuri counts among the most colourful vehicles of the rich North Indian culture.

Although it is a fact that written works in Bhojpuri are not legion in Mauritius, the language has retained
all its vibrancy within the folds of our intangible cultural heritage.

As a language, Bhojpuri has been subjected to a push and pull factor from within as well as from without
the community. With the progressive emancipation of the rural masses and exposure to western-based
formal education and system of schooling in a multi-ethnic, multi-racial and multi-linguistic structure
with English as the official language and French exerting itself as a language of prestige, business and
media associated with socio-economic mobility, and creole gaining further ground as the basic lingua
franca, and influences from pressure groups, Bhojpuri has suffered compressions. However, its basic
resilient factor has nonetheless maintained its existence in the collective consciousness and the
linguistic atlas of Mauritius.

Although both Bhojpuri and Hindi are used in mass gatherings and Hindi has kept on gaining ascendance
over Bhojpuri in terms of prestige and as a sort of standardization, Bhojpuri has continued to remain a
dear and popular means of communication and expression.

Somebody may be carrying on a conversation in Creole, French, English or Hindi and suddenly switches
over to outpourings of Bhojpuri - “Kaise ba? (How are you?)

The popularity of Bhojpuri, especially in our urban areas, began to wane during the later decades of the
20th century. Bhojpuri-speaking parents were keen to see their children wielding refined Creole and
French with ease because this asset earned them

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respect and a form of so-called social elevation. But it would be a mistake to conclude that these people
ceased conversing in Bhojpuri completely.

Some healthy effervescence is being presently observed within certain groups eager to restore Bhojpuri
to its pristine status as one of our lingua franca. That would actually be less difficult than people
imagine. The majority of Mauritians still understand this language and have also garnered non-negligible
knowledge of Hindustani as a result of constant exposure to Hindi movies, which will all be of much help
in this endeavour. With the proposed setting up of the Bhojpuri Speaking Union and the adoption of
Bhojpuri as an optional subject at school, it is felt that the language would have regained the desired
foothold in Mauritius within a surprisingly short period.

It is a fallacy to believe that Bhojpuri works against the interests of Hindi. In truth, they are mutually
supportive languages. As regards publications, Bhojpuri is already being written in Devnagri script in
India. We have only to follow suit.

Government continues to do its part by providing institutional as well as financial support to enable all
cultures to attain optimum blossoming. It is for the citizens to grab the opportunities and rise to the
challenge. By the way, the onus of the revival of Bhojpuri lies, first and foremost, on the shoulders of
Mauritians whose forebears hailed from North India.

Bhojpuri had been a great unifier of the people in the past as a lingua franca. Along with Creole, it is
being once again called upon to promote brotherhood and intercultural harmony in our country through
the medium of its legendary mellowness.

With regard to the cultural aspect, it is heartening to note that the MGI and people conversant with
music and dance are conjugating their efforts to guide Bhojpuri artists on techniques of proper
composition of lyrics and tune-setting. Indeed, Bhojpuri music and dance are fast losing their moorings
and require some serious overhauling.

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The richness and beauty of Bhojpuri cannot be grasped by those who do not speak the language. The
present revival is nothing less than a boon which will not only provide all Mauritians the golden
opportunity to savour the mellifluous tones of a beautiful language, but also consolidate further the
roots of Bhojpuri Culture in Mauritius.

Bhojpuri today

Over time, Bhojpuri speakers interiorised the creole terms they borrowed which gave them a distinct
Bhojpuri identity. Indeed, words like latabwa (table), lacoujine (la cuisine French for kitchen), jalumette
(from allumette French for matches) are now common in Mauritian bhojpuri. Similarly, bhojpuri gave
many words and expressions to Creole. The expression in Creole “caraille chaud” ((the carahi bhojpuri
for cooking recipient) is hot)) means things are very bad. Words like jalsa (amusement), nissa
(intoxication), and paissa nai ba or pani nai ba are commonly used in creole. Cultural transplantation
from Bhojpuri have also added lustre to Creole. Terms such as “difé dans lanka” literally meaning there's
fire in Lanka – that is “trouble is brewing” which has been taken from the Ramayana which is very
popular in Mauritius.

If Bhojpuri has functioned as a rich matrix of oral traditions and a vibrant lingua-franca, it is however
Hindi which is the language that the Bhojpuri people chose to teach their children in schools and to
conduct their ceremonies, it being the medium of Kathas and explanation of the various scriptural
discourses in temples.

Nowadays Bhojpuri is being valorized so as not to lose this beautiful language. It has been observed that
in the wake of modernization, the folk aspect is being neglected and Bhojpuri is losing its traditional
identity, many parents would also prefer their children to learn English and French rather than Bhojpuri.
It is a fact that Bhojpuri has no official grammar to conform with and, which can hence not be very
complicated and demanding on the child.

In Mauritius day by day, the elders are speaking less and less Bhojpuri with their kids. Therefore, the
Indian Diaspora and World Bhojpuri Centre decided to take the lead to safeguard the Bhojpuri culture by
fighting against the injustices done to the Bhojpuri language at large. In our country, Bhojpuri is spoken
by nearly all different communities, even those of Chinese and African descent and many Bhojpuri
words

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jargons and idioms are found in the common language spoken by one and all. The Bhojpuri language
was approved in Cabinet on May 29, 2009 and the Bhojpuri Speaking Union Bill was introduced in the
Mauritius National Assembly on June 25, 2010.

Nevertheless, today even in this modern world, Bhojpuri language and culture still hold an important
place in our country and even throughout the world, it is mainly thanks to the ocean of folk songs that
are still reminding us of our glorious cultural past and inspiring us to safeguard this precious rich
intangible cultural heritage. Perhaps it goes unnoticed that Bhojpuri folk songs in their pure forms
accompany us in the main stages of life-birth ceremonies, anniversaries, weddings, and even in our final
journey. We now see the trend of modern Bhojpuri pop songs which are very much influenced by
western styles of singing and musical arrangement. We can also see that many youngsters are showing
interest towards Bhojpuri Music but they lack proper guidance and professional notion in the field.
There exist artists who don‟t even know about facilities available for recording a song, the copyrights
issues and the means to produce a CD.

Bhojpuri is gaining official recognition. Bhojpuri is widely used by different government institutions,
ministries such as the Ministry of Health, Agriculture, etc in their weekly mass communication
programmes on the radio. Commercial and government “ads” are projected on the radio and MBC TV in
Bhojpuri. Song competitions such as “Bhojpuri Top 5” are held by the MBC TV and daily and regular
programmes are given on the national radio known as “Dhol Baje”. Bhojpuri feature films are also
popular.

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The Ministry of Arts and Culture runs regular drama competitions in 10 languages of Mauritius –
(English, French, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Marathi, Mandarin and Creole) and this also includes
Bhojpuri as well. The entries in Bhojpuri are on the rise.

Also during elections, Bhojpuri fuels the speeches of major Mauritian politicians who heap upon each
other and even in the French media such accusations as a “maja karo” government or group. It only
reflects how deeply rooted is bhojpuri in the Mauritian psyche both on the socio-cultural and socio-
political front.
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5. Bhojpuri promotional

Activities

In 1982 a department of Bhojpuri, Folklore & Oral Traditions was created at Mahatma Gandhi Institute.
The objective is to provide trained manpower for the collection, preservation, interpretation and
dissemination of human memories and oral traditions of independent Mauritius, which also includes
Rodrigues and Outer Islands. Below are some of its publications:

Sanskar Manjari: A socio-cultural study of 400 Bhojpuri folk songs of Mauritius including a collection
(annotated and translated) of the said songs Traditional Singing Games of Mauritius: A learning Kit for
Pre-Primary School children to promote and disseminate the disappearing games and their songs sung
long ago in the backyards The Kit consists of 2 audio cassettes, a manual for teachers and parents and a
video cassette for classrooms. The project was launched both in Mauritius and in Rodrigues and was
distributed free in all schools. The Songs of the Stone: A socio-cultural study of Bhojpuri work-songs of
Mauritius with special reference to twenty-one Jantsãrs (hand-grinding mill songs) collected from
villages throughout the island. Select Documents on Indian Immigration - Vol 1-3: Published by MGI
(November 1996) Kalimai Cult: A disappearing Tradition - This research project seeks to isolate the
multiple factors of which modernization, industrialization and urbanization are but a few and which
have led or is leading to the swift destruction of Mauritian Life and its distinctive socio-religious
practices such as the Kalimai Cult.

, Mrs. Sarita Boodhoo, manager of the Nalanda bookshop launched two books based on Bhojpuri
namely: “speak Bhojpuri” and “an easy approach to Bhojpuri grammar‟.

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The evergreen “gammat” king Sona Noyan, known for his blockbuster song “khalé pilé, jilé bhaiya,
zindagi mein ka ba”, was honored for his dedication and commitment to Bhojpuri songs last march on
the occasion of Independence Day.

on Bhojpuri hamaar maa were launched. The centre also introduced the Bhojpuri Praveshika where
more than 6,000 students sat for this exam in Feb. 2010 in every nook and corner of Mauritius.

A Bhojpuri mela was held in 2008 where famous artistes and singers came to Mauritius to demonstrate
their talents in Bhojpuri and since then Bhojpuri took off.
In 2009, there has been an international Bhojpuri conference held at IGICC, Phoenix where 200
delegates from different countries of the world expressed their views on the revival of Bhojpuri culture
and the language as well.

Since then, there has been an aggressive campaign for the promotion of the Bhojpuri language and
thanks to the ardent work of Indian Diaspora and World Bhojpuri Centre the tongue is being valued as
Hamaar Maa that is to give the status due to this Bhojpuri language which running in the veins of all the
Indo Mauritians.

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Quite a few people and institutions are now coming forward to champion the cause of Bhojpuri. This is a
welcome initiative. Why should Bhojpuri not be promoted? Who is against it and for what shady
motives? In the European Union everyone is enjoined to know at least four or five languages. The
UNESCO itself upholds the necessity of saving the world‟s languages. But Bhojpuri is not dead or dying.
It is being deliberately pushed to the backwaters of Mauritian culture. There is nothing new in this. After
all the struggles that have been undertaken, at long last, Asian languages have gained esteem in the
formal school curriculum. Now the time has come for Bhojpuri which is linked to the soil, toil and moil of
the country for 175 years to gain recognition.

Bhojpuri should be accepted as an intangible heritage of the Mauritian culture. For more than 35 years
the Mahatma Gandhi Institute has carried out research in Bhojpuri but not as an intangible heritage.
Bhojpuri came to Mauritius with hundreds of thousands of indentures from the Bhojpuri Belt of the
North Eastern Provinces of India. It marched up the 16 steps of the Aapravasi Ghat to go to the various
sugar estates as from 2 November 1834. It suffered the humiliation, oppression and negation together
with the indentures and their descendants. And it still bears the same suffocation in disguised forms.

After decades of inferiorization vis-à-vis other dominant languages, Bhojpuri sadly enough is still being
pushed back and given a mere “footnote” validity even 40 years after independence. The initiative of
the Aapravasi Ghat and its collaborators is therefore laudable and commendable in that it gives Bhojpuri
the pride of place in academia as well as at grassroots. It has now entered the portals of the University
of Mauritius.

As mentioned initially around 75% of the population in Mauritius understands the Bhojpuri language,
however it seems so irrational that however, the young generation is

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more inclined towards Creole and Western languages. Therefore, it is our responsibility as the new
generation to promote this Bhojpuri language or call it, culture, and also as elders to make the children
proud of knowing and speaking Bhojpuri. Ultimately, one way of introducing Bhojpuri to the young
generation is through music and songs.

There needs to be serious studies on what Bhojpuri has given to the country, to Creole and vice-versa.
This sharing of loan words, expressions go further deep in our psyche of sharing of sufferings, trials and
tribulations, prejudices and denial. Now the time of acceptance has come. If people are feeling shy and
are inferiorized to speak Bhojpuri, it does not mean the language is dead or dying. It is choked and lying
deep in a wounded psyche. It is stuck down the gullet. It has to be liberated.

We must see to it that measures to preserve our entire heritage including its linguistic and intangible
aspects are set up on a thorough scientific basis. This is prescribed by UNESCO guidelines. That Bhojpuri
gains its rightful place at all levels in education and at national level is a much desired and perfectly
legitimate aspiration.