Biography of Bhikhari Thakur

(1885 - 1970)

Bhikari Thakur was born in 1885 at Sitabdiara in Bihar. He belonged to a backward caste family of Nai.


He used to go to see 'Ram Lila', 'Jatra of Bengal and consequently, developed a passion for drama and dance. He studied keenly the pathetic plight of wives of Bihari labourers who lived alone in their native place without their husbands. The labourers used to go to Kolkata to earn their livelihood and their wives had to spend days without their husbands. Some came after a year, and some took more than a year. This inexplicable condition of labourers and their families touched Thakur's soul. He wrote a play 'Bideshia Natak' in Bhojpuri based on this theme.


He formed a musical-cum-drama 'mandali' (group). He used to play the leading role in his dramas. He himself used to compose music and write songs for it. His songs were a blend of laughter and a perfect presentation of social condition prevailing in the villages. He was also honoured with the Padma Shri by the Indian government. He died at the age of 86.