Lorikayan

Lorikayan is the most famous story in the folklore of Bhojpuri. Its protagonist is Lorik. The sense in which the hero narrates the life-events of Lorik in this folklore full of heroic rasa, is felt to be delightful to see and hear. Lorik is remembered as a great ancestor of historical heroes and Yaduvansi Ahirs. It is also called the 'Ramayana' of the Jadubansi Ahir caste. It is more like a tribal ballad on origin of Ahirs. In the areas where Avadhi, Bhojpuri, Magahi and Chhattisgarhi dialects are spoken, three clans of Ahir dominate, i.e., Dhandhor (Danhor), Gval (or Gwalvanshi) and Krshnaut (Kishnaut) and it is these three main groups alone who continue the tradition of the Canaini or Loriki or Lorikayan singing.

This story is famous in Chhattisgarh under the name Lorik-Chanda, which is the love story of Lorik and Chanda. It is presented as a folkloric-dance-drama. The saga focuses on the love affair of married princess Chanda and married cow-herdering Ahir, Lorik. This story recounts the events that Lorik encounters, such as family opposition, and social disdain, and how he overcomes them all. The song-dance continues throughout the night, in which the men perform the Chandeni Premagatha dance in special costumes. Timki and dholak instruments are used in the dance. Besides, it has more to do with the Bhojpuri region and Awadhi region of Uttar Pradesh and in the Bhojpuri region of West Bihar.