Behrupiya

Etymology and alternative names

The term behrupiya is derived from the Sanskrit words bahu (many) and roop (form or appearance). The mostly-obsolete term naqqal (नक़्क़ाल or نقّال, meaning mimic or copycat) is also infrequently used for behrupiyas. Sometimes, behrupiyas are also simply called maskharas (मसख़रा or مسخره, an Arabic loanword in Hindustani, and a more general term for jester or buffoon) or bhands, who are the traditional actors, dancers, storytellers and entertainers of the Indian subcontinent.