Folk Music

                                     Folk Music

Folk music consists of songs and music of a community that are uninfluenced by any sophisticated musical rules or any standard music styles. Bangladesh has a heritage of 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. For example, Baul songs are a combination of tune, voice, and dance. In Bangladesh, folk music has a great variety, with songs being composed on the 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. The dialects too vary across the different regions. Bangladeshi folk music, therefore, varies from region to region. Thus there are the northern Bhawaiya, the eastern Bhatiyali, and the southern Baul songs. The culture and the lifestyle of the different tribes like the Santal, Garo, Hajong, Chakma, Manipuri, Tripuri, Marma etc. have also influenced folk music. Folk songs may be sung individually or in the 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, 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 ‘roof-beating songs that are sung while beating down and firming rooftops. In Bangladesh, folk music is losing its appeal to young guys day by day. Modern pop or band songs are greatly influencing the common folk's tastes. The government should take some steps to retain our old heritage and culture.