The literal meaning of bahurupi is `multi-formed`. These quick-change artists across India metamorphose into many characters. They transform instantly before the eyes of spectators, by just turning around. Contrary to their popular image, these impersonators require great skill in order to change both dress and personality so fast. References to such itinerant mimics or actors occur as early as the Buddhist Jataka tales i.e. in fourth century BC, and continue in the Charyapadas i.e. tenth-twelfth centuries and Abul Fazl`s Ain-e-Akbari in sixteenth century as well. Society, however, labelled them as deceivers, not to be trusted, no doubt because of their ability to assume various disguises. In Bengal, children grow up with the belief that the Bahurupi is a bogeyman.

Their repertoire ranges from gods i.e. Krishna, Rama, Kali and demons like Ravana and Taraka. They also take the face to caricatures such as sadhu, policeman, thief and animals like tiger, bear, and langur. The half-male, half-female deity, Ardhanariswara, strikingly exemplifies their virtuosic prowess, for the soloist sometimes also enacts the religious myth of Siva and Parvati or secular romances such as that of Laila and Majnun through this simultaneous double role of man and woman. Among social impersonations, Bahurupis commonly satirizes the nouveau riche but uncultured and penny-pinching babu, with straw-filled fake legs shod in new footwear made to dangle ludicrously as if from a chair.

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