“In summers I am a Vasudeo and in winters I am a farmer,” said Biva Mahadev Gale, around 70 years old. Vasudeo is a community of worshippers of Lord Krishna, who walk door to door and sing folk devotional songs to collect alms.
Biva had come from Raitale village of Peint taluka in Nashik district for the farmers rally in Nashik city on February 20-21. As a Vasudeo – his family’s traditional occupation – he walks across several villages of Peint
taluka
. And he works as a farmer from September to February in his village.
Many farmers had brought their traditional musical instruments to the rally last week. The protest, which began on February 20, was called off on the night of February 21 after the government agreed to meet the demands of the farmers and gave a written commitment.