The Legend of Gopal Bhar, the Jester of Bengal

The tradition of oral storytelling has passed down in popular images of grandmothers surrounded by children, narrating fantastical tales. Thakumar Jhuli is a remarkable example of traditional storytelling that reinforces this image. Bengal has birthed iconic figures like Feluda, Byomkesh Bakshi, Nonte-Fonte, Tenida, Baatul, and Gopal Bhar among several others.

An Animated Depiction of Gopal the Jester | Source: SonyLIV

Gopal Bhar is considered a quasi-historical cultural icon. In popular culture, Gopal is remembered as a prized jewel of Raja Krishnachandra’s court, but many historians have debunked all myths affirming his existence. Krishnachandra was a zamindar in Nadia during the 18th century, a pivotal period for Bengal (and India’s) political future. It was in his court that Gopal, the jester, thrived with his puns and jokes. It is difficult to trace Gopal’s true origin. It is speculated that there was once an old, respectful bodyguard of Raja Krishnachandra named Shankar Taranga who was especially favoured by the king due to his bravery.

Gopal was born in Ghurni, a village in the district of Nadia. He belonged to the napit or barber clan known for their quick-wittedness. Losing his parents at a young age, Gopal could not continue his education. However, blessed with sharp wit, gift of the gab, and practical intelligence, his reputation spread quickly, soon reaching the ears of Raja Krishnachandra. Gopal was appointed as the Raja’s court jester. Bhar is an epithet which means ‘clown’, and it was bestowed upon Gopal because of his profession. In character, Gopal resembled the fools’ who were responsible for creating a light-hearted atmosphere with jokes, puns, and double-meaning references in Shakespearean comedies. Often, these fools were more intelligent than the other characters.

There are no credible records proving Gopal Bhar’s existence. However, whatever survives through stories paints a humorous picture of the man. In modern reimaginings, he is depicted as a rotund man, dressed in yellow and orange with a confident gait. Gopal is adept at situational comedy which is infused with life lessons. His intelligence is formidable and he is often seen challenging and defeating higher authorities, like the Nawab Mir Zafar, with his shrewd wordplay and humour. Once, a polyglot arrived in the court of Krishnachandra. An expert in multiple languages, none of the king’s courtiers could decipher the stranger’s native tongue. In such a situation, only Gopal could deliver everyone from embarrassment. The jester was confident as usual and quickly devised an ingenious technique. One fine day, just as the polyglot was entering the king’s court, Gopal, hiding behind a curtain, suddenly rushed forward and collided with him. In the heat of the moment, the stranger yelled at Gopal in Odia, revealing his mother tongue.

Often Gopal’s quick wit and pointed humour left even his patron Raja Krishnachandra tongue-tied. One fine day, the Raja was getting his beard shaved by his barber when the sharp blade nicked him slightly. The king immediately called upon Gopal as the bearer of bad luck since he had seen the jester’s face first upon waking. Krishnachandra, in a fit of anger, sentenced Gopal to death. Unhurriedly, the comedian asked His Majesty an innocent question: “Your Highness that is it. When you saw my face first thing in the morning you got a nick in your cheek but I also saw your face first thing this morning and I got the death sentence! Tell me whose face is more unlucky?”

In simple diction, Gopal induced laughter in everyone but also exposed the petty follies and hypocrisies of the society around him. It is said that Krishnachandra was involved in the political conspiracy against Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah, but Gopal often tried to dissuade the king. He frequently exposed the power-hungry ministers of the king’s court and tackled every tricky situation with his intellect. No wonder he has become an icon in contemporary popular culture and is often paralleled with Birbal, one of the navaratnas of Akbar’s court.

Today, Krishnanagar derives its huge fame partly from Gopal's antiques and their popularity. It is debatable if he was historical or fictional, but Gopal Bhar is a cornerstone in the comic tradition of Bengal and one of the most important icons of Bengali collective creative imagination.