Bangladeshi Folk Song

Folk Music songs and music of a community, uninfluenced by any sophisticated musical rules or any standard Music styles. Bangladesh has a rich folk music, which includes both religious and secular songs.

Folk music may be described as that type of ancient music, which springs from the heart of a community, based on their natural style of expression, uninfluenced by the rules of classical music and modern popular songs. Any mode or form created by the combination of tune, voice and dance may be described as music. Thus, the combination of folk song, folk dance, and folk tune may be called folk music

History

The history of folk music composition can be traced back to 8^th century between (1800-1850) A.D; which was the time for growth of Charya Geeti. Generations of rural poets; composers created enormous tradition of Bangla folk music. Of which “Baul Song” is the most remarkable. The folk song of Bangladesh is a mixture of Vaishnaism and Sufism. It also may be classified as being an emotional, secular, sectarian and religious song.

Characteristic of Bangladeshi folk song

     i.        It is composed by rural folk on basis of ancient rules transmitted orally.
ii.        These ancient rules of music have not been influence by classical or modern music.
iii.        This song may be sung in groups or individually.
iv.        No regular practice is required for folk music.
v.        It is composed and performed by illiterate or semi-illiterate people.
vi.        It is a spontaneous expression in easy language, local dialect, and simple tune.
Both words and tune are appealing.
Despite its universal appeal it uses local dialect.
ix.        It depends upon nature and the rural environment.
x.        It is an explicit manifestation of the joys and sorrows of daily life.
xi.        It uses simple and natural rhythms.
It contains a strong emotive expression of human love and separation.

Variety

In Bangladesh folk music has great variety, with songs being composed on the culture, festivals, views of life, natural beauty, rivers and reverie life. These songs are also about social inequality and poverty, about the material world and the supernatural. Mystical songs have been composed using the metaphors of rivers and boats. We can classify this mainly two ways.

  Bangladeshi folk music therefore varies from region to region. . Some songs are regional in character, but others are common to both Bangladesh and west Bengal Also Folk songs may be sung individually or in chorus.

Captured Area

Different folk songs belong to different regions of Bangladesh and West Bengal and are listed below:

     i.        Bhatiyali: These types of songs are generally sung by boatman. It is seen nearly all regions of Bangladesh, basically the riverside area.
ii.        Bhawaiya: Actually this kind of sung by the Coachman .Specially Rajshahi, Dinajpur, Rangpur, and Pabna.
iii.        Baul and spiritual songs: It sung in Birbhum and Kushtia.
iv.        Jarigan: Jarigan sung as like as Charya by groups. It sung in Dhaka, Mymensingh, Sylhet, and Faridpur.
v.        Sari: In Sylhet and Mymensingh a group of singer sings this song with a particular theme.
vi.        Gambhira: In Rajshahi, Malda there is a special kind of song called Gambhira. It is sung by a grand-father and a grand-son about a specific topic.
Murshidi: It’s a religious song.
Roof-beating songs: This song sung at the northern regions of Bangladesh.
ix.        Wedding sings: Basically in rural areas wedding songs are sung in weddings.
x.        Nil Puja: To celebrate the Puja in Bangladesh   this type of songs are sung.
xi.        Pastoral songs: It’s a one kind of regional song, sung by the tribes.  Specially In Mymensingh, Sylhet, Habiganj.

Tunes

The folk music of Bangladesh is different from other music not only because of its distinctive mode but also because of the richness of its seventh note. Apart from its tunes, Bangla folk music is also distinct in its rhythm. Folk music has a basic style of composition and can be classified into four groups.

 First, tunes consisting of: ‘Sa Ra Ma Pa’.

 Secondly: ‘SaGaMaPa’.

 Thirdly: ‘Sa RaGa Pa’

 And fourthly: ‘Sa Ra Ga Ma Pa’

 Folk music strictly follows this pattern, which is followed only in classical music. All folk songs in the world usually involve the pentatonic scale, which is found in Bangla folk songs as well as in Santal and Garo-Hajang songs.

Instrument

Bangladesh has a good number of musical instrument originally of her own. Originally country musical instruments include———–

     i.        Ektara
ii.        Dotara
iii.        Dhole
iv.        Bashi
v.        Mandira
vi.        Khanjani
Sarinda.
Dugdugi
ix.        Hari
x.        Kumkum
xi.        Zura
Jhunjhuny

Now a day’s western instrument such as Guitar, Drums, Saxophone and Synthesizer etc are being used along side country instrument.

 Contribution of singers

In Bangladesh folk song became so stronger and popular since many years ago. It became possible by the contribution of some singers of our country. Such as–

               i.        Lalan Shah
ii.        Siraj Saiah
iii.        Hasan Raja
iv.        Abbasuddin
v.        Radha Romon
vi.        Durbin Shaih
vii.        Shachin Dev Burman

Occasion

In Bangladesh folk song used as a ceremonial, occasional, and festival also as a weeding song. Like as—

      i.        Pahela Baishak
ii.        Nabanna
iii.        Paush Parban
iv.        Chaitra Shankranti
v.        Hal-khata
vi.        Pahela Fulgun
vii.        Rural Marriage ceremonies
Baishaki fair etc.

Present Condition

At present the condition of folk song in our country is very poor. Now a day our rich traditional folk song inevitable influenced by western music and culture. Band and pop music is getting popular in country. Now the modern Bangla song and also the folk song sung in western melody. TV has become the major source of entertainment. Bad kind of remixes and music videos are shown at the TV. Because of that we forget and neglect our rich traditional folk song.

Present Warriors

Though today’s generation has lack of interest in folk music, after then many singers of our country trying to encourage our young generation to listen our folk song. They are trying to modify the tunes, uses new instruments without changing the lyrics. Organizing a lot of concert for increasing popularity of folk song to our young generation and the people of all ages. Doing this they have to do a lot of hard work so we called them the present warriors. Such as———

• Mustafa Zaman Abbasi
• Kangaliny Sufia
• Abdul Kuddus Boyati
• Abdur Rahman Boyati
• Momtaz
• Farida Parveen
• Bangla Band and many other unknown bauls.

Some contribution to keep the existence

Government and Non- Government organization like—-Bangla Academy, Nazrul institution, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Fine Arts institution, Chayanat, etc. play significant role to flourish Bangla folk song. Much popular person, singers, artists and other organization providing encouragement and popularizing Bangladeshi folk song.

Solution

             If we want to get back our golden era we have to do some special work. Such as—–

               i.      We have to do a lot of concert of folk music.
ii.      Creating consciousness to our young generation that our own song is the best.
iii.      Government has to increase its attempts for folk music.
iv.      The number of the sponsor should be increased.
v.      Create a permanent academy for folk music.
vi.      Increase interest of music companies.
vii.      Ensure the financial stability of the folk singers.
viii.      Honored them with judgment.
ix.       Give them chances to perform not only in the country but also out side the country.
x.      Identify new folk singer and patronize them.
xi.      More program in TV channels.
xii.      Protecting the real lyrics and tunes.
xiii.      Remove listening   remixes.
xiv.      Some specific kind of folk song that is not available now should be protected.

If we can do these activities we are over sure that, we can bring our golden musical era again.