Professional communities from north Gujarat, the Taragalas, Bhojakas, etc perform a typical folk drama of Gujarat called Bhavai in village and temple grounds. The word "Bhavai" is derived from the Sanskrit word "Bhava" meaning expression of emotion or feeling. It is believed that the originator of the Bhavai folk-drama was Asait (1361 A. D.), a Brahmin from the village Onza in the north of the State. Asait has written approximately 360 Bhavai-vesh (episodes of Bhavai), apart from a long historical ballad "Hansauli". Bhavai performances were staged in open grounds before the audiences, as a source of entertainment.

In Bhavai many "veshas" are performed in the open, without any stage equipment. These veshas are usually episodes from the social life of the community in the countryside, focusing the satirical way, as to how certain sections are characterized- Banias, Bohras, wandering tribes, etc. Continuous playing on the Bhungal, a very long wind brass instrument, before and during the performance, calls the villagers to the scene, where Bhavai is performed. However, women are strictly not allowed to take part in the Bhavai, hence, the male artists only have to perform the female roles, which makes the entire drama more joyful.

The folk dances and folk music were the major elements in the formation of Bhavai. The topics on which Bhavais are prepared are taken from the life of common man. Drawing from the events in the lives of the contemporary people the Bhavai episodes are constructed with a combination of satire with popular reformation. The folk dramas became very popular in Gujarat. In present day Gujarat, Bhavai is a living tradition.