AlhaBundeli
The wars of Alha and Udal for Mahoba against Prithviraj Chauhan, ending in the battle of about 1182 and the fall of the Chandela court. Fifty-two episodes in the standard reckoning, sung one at a time over a night.
Sung at: Savan and Bhadon — the monsoon months. Sung by professional Alhaits in a metre that never lets up, with the audience calling for particular episodes. Competitive singing at fairs is normal, and the same tradition is fully at home in southern Awadh, Bhojpur and Magadh.
FagBundeli
Desire, separation and sharp domestic observation in four-line verses. Isuri's fags carry the form and are named for their addressee, Rajau.
Sung at: Phalgun, from Basant Panchami to Holi.
DiwariBundeli
Cattle, Krishna as cowherd, and boasting between village troupes, sung between rounds of the stick dance.
Sung at: Diwali.
SoharBundeli
Blessing and congratulation sung by the women of the household, traditionally on the birth of a son.
Sung at: The days after a birth.
Bidai and gaariBundeli
The bride's departure, and the ritual abuse songs the bride's women sing at the groom's party — licensed obscenity that everyone present treats as obligatory.
Sung at: Weddings.
Rai geetBundeli
Teasing, praise of the patron, and the exchange between dancer and drummer.
Sung at: Rai performance.
Hardaul geetBundeli
Songs to the Bundela prince Hardaul, who is invited to every wedding in the region before any living guest is.
Sung at: Weddings, at the Hardaul platform.