The Dewars are professional beggars, and play on the musical
instruments called _dhungru_ and _sarangi_ which have already been
described. The Ratanpurias usually celebrate in an exaggerated style
the praises of Gopal Rai, their mythical ancestor. One of his exploits
was to sever with a single sword-stroke the stalk of a plantain
inside which the Emperor of Delhi had caused a solid bar of iron to be
placed. The Raipurias prefer a song, called Gujrigit, about curds and
milk. They also sing various songs relating how a woman is beloved by
a Raja who tries to seduce her, but her chastity is miraculously saved
by some curious combination of circumstances. They exorcise ghosts,
train monkeys, bears and tigers for exhibition, and sell ornaments
of base metal. In Raipur the men take about performing monkeys and
the women do tattooing, for which they usually receive payment in the
shape of an old or new cloth. A few have settled down to cultivation,
but as a rule they are wanderers, carrying from place to place their
scanty outfit of a small tent and mattress, both made of old rags,
and a few vessels. They meet at central villages during the Holi
festival. The family is restricted to the parents and unmarried
children, separation usually taking place on marriage.