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.

Thematically Bengali folksongs can be divided into the following categories:

1.    Love songs

2. Religion, ritual and functional songs

3. Spiritual songs

4. Work, Labor and Building industry songs

5. Vocational / Occupational Songs

6. Comic/ Humorous Songs

7. Mixed Theme Songs

Khol

Regional folk music Bangladesh in alphabetical order 

 Relationship between Hindu deities and Muslim saints/spiritual figures  

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 13^th to 16^th 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  

 Fauna in Folk Music