Bangla Folksongs

The repertoire of folksongs that Bangalee culture wields underscores the  creative and imaginative nature  of the Bangalee rural  masses. In its lyrical appeal and  richness,  its thematic diversity and range, and the strength of its texture to register and transform experience, Bangla  folksongs equal, if not emulate, the folksongs of any culture.

Classification of Bangla Folk Music:

 A. Ritualistic

1. Religious

2. Magic

 B. Secular

  1. Love
  2. Social
  3. Relationship
  4. Humor
  5. Work
  6. Political
  7. Satirical
  8. Nature
  9. Patriotic

 

Thematically Bengali folksongs can be divided into the following categories:

1.    Love songs

Song

Region 

Musical Instruments
Alkap Murshidabad, Maldaha, Rajshahi  
Gosha gaan

Noakhali

 
Ghatu gaan

Mymensing, Sylhet, Comilla

 
Jhumur Purulia, Burdwan,Birbhum tambour, tom-tom
Baromasi All regions  
Barashe North Bengal, Jessore, Jalpaiguri, Koochbihar dotara
Malashi Bogra, Rajshahi  
Rakhalia gaan Rang/Dinajpur  
Sampan Majhir gaan Chittagong, Noakhali  

2. Religion, ritual and functional songs

Song

Region 

Musical Instruments
Kirtan all regions C/ D /H 
Gamvira Maldaha, Rajshahi C/ D /H 
Gazan Birbhum C/ D /H 
Gazir gaan Khulna,Faridpur, M'singh  
Jag gaan North Bengal  
Jari All regions D,drum,tom-tom
Tushu All regions  
Dhamali gaan Sylhet, Dhaka  
Noilar gaan All regions  
Bichheder gaan All regions  
Vanjo/vadu Mymensingh  
Maganer gaan Barisal, faridpur,Mymensingh  
Marsia M'bad, Rajshahi, Maldah  
Shirali Sylhet, Mymensingh  
Holeer gaan Rang/Dinajpur  
Mechhani khelar gaan

West/North bengal

 

3. Spiritual songs

Song

Region 

Musical Instruments
Baul

Kustia, Jessore, Nadia, Khulna

Ektara,
Bhatiali Dhaka, Comilla, Sylhet, Mymensingh Kettledrum
Maijbhandari Chittagong, Noakhali -
Marfoti Chittagong, Noakhali, Comilla -
Murshidi All regions Sarinda
Khet Nirani Gaan Comilla, Sylhet, Mymensingh Sarinda

4. Work, Labor and Building industry songs

Song

Region 

Musical Instruments
Chhad Petano gaan Dhaka, Mymensingh Sarinda
Dhan katar gaan All regions  
Dhan Vanar gaan All regions  
Pat katar gaan All regions  
Hati khedanor gaan Chittagong  

5. Vocational / Occupational Songs

Song

Region 

Musical Instruments
Khemta Purulia, Birbhum Sarinda
Patua West Bangla  
Palkiwalar gaan all regions  
Beder gaan Dhaka, M'singh Southern regions  
Sapurer gaan M'singh, Dhaka, Southern regions Tubri
Putul nacher gaan Nadia, Comilla Drum, flute,violin

6. Comic/ Humorous Songs

Song

Region 

Musical Instruments
Natua gaan

Dinajpur, Rangpur, Jalpaiguri, Mymensingh

Bolan Maldaha
Leto Burdwan Harmonium, drum
Habu gaan Dhaka Kangkan (ankle bells)

7. Mixed Theme Songs

Song

Region 

Musical Instruments
Kabi gaan all regions Harmonium, drum,ektara
Meyeli / Saheli geet all regions drum, cymbals
Sari gan all regions drum, cymbals, kettledrum

 

Khol

Regional folk music Bangladesh in alphabetical order 

No

Symbol

Folk Music

1

Au

Formal music, Festival music, Ritualistic music

 

 

 

2

Aa

Alcap

 

 

 

3

E

Barashe, Baraisa, Barashi, Barunche

 

 

 

4

Ka

Karma, Sari, Metho, Mathal, Dhua

 

 

 

5

Ga

Gombhira,

 

 

 

6

Gha

Ghatu, Gadu, Chhokra Nacha

 

 

 

7

Cha

Barmasi, Barmaisya, Barmese

 

 

 

8

Ja

Jaag, Satyopirer gaan, Manikpirer gaan, Gajipirer gaan

 

 

 

9

Ta

Torsha, Baithaki, Borgo, Kabi, Proshno, Tarko, Chapan, Palta, Deshyali

 

 

 

10

Na

Naya, Bhatiyali

 

 

 

11

Pa

Pala, Jatra, Palan, Hakyali

 

 

 

12

Ba

Baul, Bhab, Shobdo, Fakiri, Hogiri, Dhua (Baul), Bailanti, Bichar, Marfoti, Dotara (Noakhali and Chittagong), Ostogaan

 

 

 

13

Bha

Bhaoyaia, Khirol, Chotka, Dotara (Rangpur and Dinajpur)

 

 

 

14

Ma

Murshidi, Maijbhandari, Khaja Babar gaan, Matharer geet, Jikir, Bhaktimulak, Ekdil Shaher gaan

 

 

 

15

Ya

Yogi, Trinather gaan, Meennather gaan, Gorakhya nather gaan

 

 

 

16

Ra

Royani, Bhasan, Chand Saodagarer gaan, Monosar gaan, Behular gaan, Lakhindorer gaan

 

 

 

17

Sha

Manosi

 

 

 

18

Sa

Soheli, Meyeli, Sarala, Sokha, Saier, Saiyer

 

 

 

19

Ha

Biraha, Bicchhed, Bondhua, Dak, Dak Bicchhed

 

 

 

20

Ay

Morsia, Jari

 Relationship between Hindu deities and Muslim saints/spiritual figures  

Force/Power/

Agent

Deities (Hindu)

Piir  (Muslim)

Beliefs

Rituals

Woods

Bondurga , Bondebi (goddess of the woods)

Bonbibi, Junglee Piir

Offerings are made to the deities for safety and security of life

Offering sweets and chickens to Bonbibi, performing rituals

Rain

Meghrani (queen of the clouds)

Meghraja (King of the clouds

 

To invoke rain

Wedding of frogs, crows and rats

Hail storm

Shiladebi (hail goddess)

 

 

 

Water

Barun

Khoaj Khijir

Savior from capsizing and icon for eternal life (Islamic version of Enkindu of Gilgamesh)

Bera Bhashan.

Wealth

Laxmi debi

Laxmi bibi, Jumma piir

Worship of the goddess or offerings made to her/him

Offering sweets for laxmi bibi or observing rituals for Laxmi

Fire

Indra

Matherpiir

Fire stopper and pain reliever

Bamboo plucking for mather, offering sweets  for mather,xxxxx

Betel leaves

Subachani

Thukna piir

 

Serving the dervish andxxxxx

Crops

Bhanjo

 

For boon

Bhanjo worship

Cow

Goraxanath, Sonaray, Trinath

Manik piir, Sona piir, Trinath piir

Saviour from epidemics of livestock

Xxx

Tiger

Dakhin Ray, Kulai Thakur

Gazi piir

Saviour from tiger’s attack

Offering sweets  for tiger,

Crow

 

Kaua piir

Offerings are made to Kaua piir to save fruits and crops from the attack of other birds

Xxxxxxx

Snake

Monsa, Janguli

 

Saviour from snake bites

Monsa worship or monsar bhasan

Crocodiles

Kalu ray

Gazi-Kalu

 

 

Marijuana

Trinath

Trinath

Fulfils any desire/fantasy

Trinath’s fair and service

Cholera

Oladebi

Ola bibi

Savior from cholera

Offering sweets and for oladebixxxx

Hum/pox

Sitla debi

Jhola bibi

Saviour from hum and pox

Worship of  Sitla debi xxxxxx

Sarnipat

 

Mori bibi

 

 

Skin disease

Ghetu debi

 

 

 

Hearth/home

Basto debota

Basto bibi

For the welfare of all members of the house/family

Songs in praise of basto debota and bibi

Troubles/dangers

 

Asan bibi, Uddhar bibi

Saviour from troubles/dangers

Offering sweets and songs

The Sun

Dharma Thakur

 

 

Worship of dharma Thakur

Bhaoaia: A popular folk music of north Bangla especially of Rangpur and Dinajpur districts. Bhaoaia is derived from the word Bhao or Bhab which means mood. Bhaoaya actually originated in the

Malsi region: greater Bogra and Rajshahi districts including Naogaon sub division (except Raninagar and Atrai PSs). The name Malsi is derived from the malsi raag.

Gombhira region: This region includes Rajshahi town, Nababganj and Natore sub division (except Singra, Borai and Gurudaspur PSs). Gombhira means ‘little room’. This was the meaning associated witht the word Gombhira in ancient Bangla literature.

 Origin: Gombhira was originated in the Maldaha district of West Bangla. The subject matter of gombhira is primarily the review of the main events of the year. Traditionally gombhira music festival takes place during the last three days of the last month of Bangla calendar (Chaitra). During the festival the lead singer sings about the major events of the year.

Barashe region: Barashe is popular in the Gombhira region as well as in Khulna, Jessore, Faridpur and Kushtia districts. Bareshe music is about the rain and its principal theme is love.

Pala region: Pala songs evolved between 13th to 16th centuries.

Baul region: Greater Kushtia, Jessore and Khulna (except the Sundarban area such as Rampal, Saronkhola, Morelganj, Paikegachha, Dakopa and Shyamnagar), Faridpur (except Madaripur and Shariatpur sub divisions), Jamalpur (except Sribordi, Jhariagati, Nakla, Dewanganj, Sherpur and Nolitabari), Sylhet town (except Jayantia and Gorainghat), Maulabhibazar, Chhatak, jagannathpur, Sunamganj, Hobiganj, Chunarughat and Nobinganj. It is spiritual songs of a particular religious community known as Baul. Many experts believe that the word baul was derived from the word Aulia which means saint.  Baul music was deeply influenced by the thoughts of Sri Chaitanna and its themes are mainly  borrowed from Charyapada.

Bhatiali region:

Origin: the marsh lands of Sylhet and Mymensingh districts. These are the songs of the river. Boats were the primary communication of East Bangla. The boatmen always sing while rowing. The songs of boatmen are called bhatiali.

Royani region: Greater Barisal, Patuakhali and Madaripur and Shariatpur districts of greater Faridpur. Based on the sagas of Chand Saodagar, Lakkhindar and Behula and composed to praise the greatness of Monosa debi. Some believe that Royani may have derived from the word Rajani which means night as the Royani songs goes on for all night.

Murshidi, Marfoti and Maijbhandari: Greater Chittagong (except Ukhia and Teknaf), Noakhali and Comilla (except Chandpur, Matlob, Daudkandi, Homna and Brahmanbaria)

Tribal music region: The music of the tribal people. Whole of Chittagong Hill Tracts, Ukhia and Teknaf of Chittagong district; Taherpur, Jayantia and Goainghat of Sylhet district; Kamalakanda, Durgapur, Haluaghat, Jhariagati, Nalitabar and Sribordi of Mymensingh district and Madhupur of Tangail district.

Landscape in Folk Music  

Water

Topography

Phenomena

Sea/ocean

High lands

Tidal flow

River

Hills

Ripples (rivers)

Ponds

Islands

Sea waves

Tanks

Lagoons

 

Swamps

 

 

 Fauna in Folk Music  

Trees

Herbs

Shrubs

Creepers

Nim

Bamboo

Hay

Betel leaves

Sandal wood

Plum