🌦️ Unit 2: Art and Craft, Lesson 1: Folk Music
A. Warm up activity
- In the class, give a talk on what you know about Baul / Bhatiyali / Bhawaia songs of Bangladesh.
- Request someone in the class to sing a few lines of a folk song. Then in groups discuss the theme, lyrics, style and impact of the song on the listeners.
B. Here is an excerpt from an article on Bengali Folk Music written by the late Mridul Kanti Chakravarty published in Banglapedia published by the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. The excerpt has been slightly edited for this textbook. Read the excerpt and answer the questions that follow.
Folk music consists of songs and music of a community that are not influenced by any sophisticated musical rules or any standard musical styles. Bangladesh has a heritage of rich folk music which includes both religious and secular songs.
Folk music may be described as the music of the ancient times that sprang from the heart of a community, based on their natural style of expression uninfluenced by the rules of classical music or modern popular songs. Any arrangement of sound created by the combination of tune, voice and instrument/dance may be described as music. Folk music is the combination of song, tune and dance that originates from the traditional culture of ordinary people (the folk). For example, Baul songs are a combination of tune, music, and dance that are associated with the Baul tradition in Bengal.
Folk music has the following characteristics:
- It is composed by rural folk on the basis of ancient rules transmitted orally;
- these ancient rules of music have not been influenced by classical or modern music;
- folk songs may be sung in groups or individually;
- no regular practice is required for folk music;
- it is composed and performed by illiterate or semi-literate people;
- it is a spontaneous expression of feelings and thoughts in easy language, local dialect, and simple tune;
- both words and tune are appealing;
- despite its universal appeal it uses local dialect;
- it depends upon nature and the rural environment;
- it is an explicit manifestation of the joys and sorrows of daily life;
- it uses simple and natural rhythms; and
- it contains a strong emotive expression of human love and separation.
Art and Craft
In Bangladesh folk music has great variety, with songs composed on culture, festivals, views of life, natural beauty, rivers and rural and riverine 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. Since the country is basically riverine, the Bhatiyali forms an important genre of folk music. Nature plays a role in providing the content and rhythm of folk music. The folk music of Bangladesh varies from region to region, reflecting changes in the natural environment and the dialects people use. Thus there are the northern Bhawaiya, the eastern Bhatiyali and the southwestern Baul songs.
The culture and the lifestyle of the different ethnic minorities, such as the Chakmas, Manipuris, Santals or Tripuris, have also influenced folk music. Their interaction with Bengali culture and lifestyle over the years has been clearly reflected in the richness of our folk music.
Folk songs may be sung individually or in chorus. Folk songs sung individually include Baul, Bhatiyali, Murshidi and Marfati, while songs sung in chorus include Kabigan, Leto, Alkap and Gambhira. Some songs are regional in character, but others are common to both Bangladesh and West Bengal. Similarly, some songs belong distinctively to one religious community, the Hindus or the Muslims; others cross religious boundaries. Some songs belong exclusively to men, others to women, while some are sung by both men and women. Thus only women compose and sing Bratagan and Meyeli Git, but both men and women participate in the old practice of ‘roof-beating’ songs that are sung while beating down and firming rooftops.
Different folk songs belonging to different regions of Bangladesh are listed below:
- Baul and spiritual songs – Kushtia, Birbhum and West Bengal
- Jarigan – Dhaka, Mymensingh, Sylhet, Faridpur, Murshidabad
- Bhawaiya – Rajshahi, Dinajpur, Rangpur, Pabna, Cooch Bihar
- Gambhira – Rajshahi, Malda
- Wedding songs : all regions.
- Roof-beating songs : the northern regions of Bangladesh.
- Sari : the lower marshy regions of Sylhet and Mymensingh.
- Bhatiyali : nearly all regions of Bangladesh.
- Pastoral songs : Dhaka, Mymensingh, Faridpur, Sylhet, Habiganj.
Necessary Words and Phrases
| Word | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Excerpt (Noun) | Definition: A short extract from a film, broadcast, piece of music, or writing. Bengali: নির্যাস, অংশ, উদ্ধৃতাংশ (Nirjāsa, aṅśa, uddhr̥tāṁśa) Synonyms: Extract, passage, segment, fragment, selection. |
The professor read a key excerpt from the novel to the class. |
| Heritage (Noun) | Definition: Property that is or may be inherited; also, valued objects and qualities such as cultural traditions, unspoiled countryside, and historic buildings that have been passed down from previous generations. Bengali: ঐতিহ্য, উত্তরাধিকার (Oitijjho, Uttorādhikār) Synonyms: Legacy, tradition, inheritance, birthright, culture. |
The city is proud of its architectural heritage dating back to the 17th century. |
| Secular Songs (Noun Phrase) | Definition: Songs that are not religious, spiritual, or sacred in nature; they deal with worldly or non-religious topics. Bengali: ধর্মনিরপেক্ষ গান (Dharmoniropekkho gān) Synonyms: Non-religious music, worldly songs, civil music, profane music. |
Many folk songs fall into the category of secular songs, focusing on love, labor, or everyday village life. |
| Sprang (Verb, Past tense of spring) | Definition: To move or jump suddenly and rapidly; to originate or arise from. (In this context, meaning "originated"). Bengali: উদ্ভূত হয়েছিল, জন্ম নিয়েছিল (Udbhūto hoyechilo, jonmo niyechilo) Synonyms: Originated, arose, emerged, derived, came forth. |
The idea for the invention sprang from a simple observation of nature. |
| Dialect (Noun) | Definition: A particular form of a language which is peculiar to a specific region or social group. Bengali: উপভাষা, আঞ্চলিক ভাষা (Upobhāṣā, Āñcholik bhāṣā) Synonyms: Regional language, local vernacular, patois, accent. |
In that remote region, people speak a unique dialect that is hard for outsiders to understand. |
| Riverine Life (Noun Phrase) | Definition: The way of life, culture, or activities associated with or dependent on a river or river system. Bengali: নদীমাতৃক জীবন (Nodimātruk Jibon) Synonyms: Fluvial life, riparian culture, life by the river. |
Fishing, boat-making, and trade are central to riverine life in the delta. |
| Metaphors (Noun, Plural) | Definition: Figures of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable, suggesting a resemblance. Bengali: রূপক (Rūpok) Synonyms: Figures of speech, symbolism, analogies, representations. |
The poet used powerful metaphors like 'life is a journey' and 'the world is a stage' in her work. |
| Genre (Noun) | Definition: A category of artistic composition, as in music or literature, characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject matter. Bengali: প্রকার, ধারা, বিভাগ (Prokār, Dhārā, Bibhāg) Synonyms: Category, type, kind, style, classification. |
Bhatiyali is a specific genre of folk music distinct from Bhawaiya. |
| Ethnic Minorities (Noun Phrase) | Definition: Small groups of people within a community or country who have a different culture, religion, or language from the main group. Bengali: জাতিগত সংখ্যালঘু সম্প্রদায় (Jātigoto śaṅkhāloghu shomprodāy) Synonyms: Indigenous groups, cultural minorities, minority populations. |
The diverse cultures of the ethnic minorities contribute greatly to the country's heritage. |
| Chorus (Noun) | Definition: A group of people singing together; or, a part of a song that is repeated after each verse. (In this context, referring to a group of singers). Bengali: সমবেত সঙ্গীত, দলীয় গান (Shomobeto shonggit, Dolīyo gān) Synonyms: Choir, ensemble, group singing, communal singing. |
Songs sung in chorus can be very powerful and uplifting. |
| Distinctively (Adverb) | Definition: In a way that is characteristic of one person or thing, and so serves to distinguish it from others; clearly and recognizably. Bengali: স্বতন্ত্রভাবে, বৈশিষ্ট্যপূর্ণভাবে (Shotontrobhābe, Boishiṣṭyopūrṇobhābe) Synonyms: Characteristically, uniquely, specifically, noticeably, separately. |
The smell of jasmine is distinctively associated with summer evenings. |
1. Multiple Choice Questions
- According to the passage, what is one thing that Folk Music is explicitly not influenced by?
- The traditional culture of ordinary people.
- Any sophisticated musical rules or any standard musical styles.
- The natural style of expression of the community.
- The joys and sorrows of daily life.
- Which of the following is listed as a characteristic of folk music in the passage?
- It is always sung by men and women in large groups.
- No regular practice is required for folk music.
- It must use only the most complex and natural rhythms.
- It is primarily influenced by classical music rules.
- The passage mentions that Bangladesh’s rich folk music includes both religious and secular songs**. What is the nature of secular songs?
- Songs composed and sung exclusively by women.
- Songs that deal with worldly or non-religious topics.
- Songs that are always sung in a **chorus**.
- Songs that use highly sophisticated musical rules.
- Since Bangladesh is described as basically riverine, which important genre of folk music is specifically mentioned as being formed by this context?
- Baul songs
- Bhatiyali
- Bhawaiya
- Gambhira
- According to the list of regional variations, which part of Bangladesh is **Bhawaiya** music primarily associated with?
- The northern regions (Rajshahi, Dinajpur, Rangpur, Pabna).
- The lower marshy regions of Sylhet and Mymensingh.
- Nearly all regions of Bangladesh.
- The eastern regions.
- Which of the following is listed in the passage as a folk song genre that may be sung **individually**?
- Kabigan
- Murshidi
- Alkap
- Gambhira
- What does the passage say about the influence of ethnic minorities (like the Chakmas and Santals) on folk music?
- They have maintained a culture entirely separate from Bengali culture.
- Their interaction with Bengali culture is clearly reflected in the richness of the folk music.
- They only contribute to the **riverine** songs like Bhatiyali.
- They have had no significant impact on the diversity of the music.