Folk
music is the traditional music of our villages. It is often accompanied by instruments
like Ektara, Dotara, etc. It has been passed along the generations for centuries, mostly
without ever being
written down. It represents our social history, having evolved through processes of
selection and modification by many generations.
We are fortunate to have the folk music of the present, but who knows how many songs of
life, love, and sorrow, have been lost to the ages?Perhaps it was in a dark evening after work, when
men gathered and shared a Baul song. Perhaps the simplicity of the lyrics represent the
simple needs of our great-grandparents. Without ever knowing recorded music, perhaps
listening to a few folk songs by a local singer was the source of many hours of pleasant
memories. Even as we speak, the rural life is being lost to oblivion, as
modernization stretches into the remote corners of Bangladesh.
Electricity, the radio, the cellular phone, which are considered as
blessings, are also contributing to the loss of a way of life established
over many centuries. Perhaps right now, a song of sorrow and loss is quitely fading
from the distant eyes of an aging fisherman. Or
having borne many children, a village mother may be losing a melody from her youth - a
song of romance and hope for the future.
Their loss is our loss.
A brief classification of folk music is given below:
Baul: more of a cult than a type of music - members of this sect have
particular beliefs and values
Bhandarie: From Chittagong, devotional
Bhatiali: Sung by river folks. In the thirteenth century there was a
book with a reference of a raag named Bhatiali
Bhawaiyan: From Rongpur - sung by bullock cart drivers
Bhojon: Devotional songs of the Hindus
Gombhira: Social awareness/comical songs from Chapai Nababganj
Hammd: Devotional (Muslim)
Hason Raja: Devotional songs from Sylhet
Jaari:
Kirtan: Purely a product of Bengal. Based on the stories of love of
Radha and Krishna, characters from Hindu mythology.
Pala: Usually from the Bhatee Anchol (river banks), or the Haor
area in Sylhet, Kishoregonj, and Netrokona
Kobi Gaan: sung all over the country
Lalon: composed by Lalon Fakir
Mursiya: Devotional song of the Shiats
Naat: Devotional (Muslim)
Shaari:
Upojatiyo: can have much variation. We have thirteen major
Upojaatie - we are responsible for appreciating their culture.
Gajir Geet: Traditional song from Rangpur.
Letto's Song: Now in Mymensing region it is popular.Our National poet Kazi Nazrul
was a member of letto group.
Song of Wedding: all over the Bangladesh. |
