It
is quite relevant to ask the question – Are the Bhawaiya – Chatka songs characteristically real folk songs?
In the analysis of folk songs, continuity,
variation and selection – these three elements have to be studied
properly. The process of continuity-variation-selection is contained in
the definition of International Folk Music Council. According to International Folk Music Council, held in Sao Paolo, Brazil in
1954, the three main characteristics of folk song are – 1) Continuity,
2) Variation, and 3) Selection. If we analyze the inherent
qualities of Bhawaiya, we are
convinced that the basic characteristics of folk song are very much found in Bhawaiya.
Tune,
music and style or form of folk song is the expression of the community life intertwined
with the production process. The production process involves the factors like
the geographical, physical and natural environment in which the community lives
and grows.
The
knowledge of intimate relation between a specific musical scale and a specific
group of people is quite important. Mode and style of singing, articulation of
music mode are regulated by regionality. Regionality is the life-breath of any
folk song. The melodic pattern of folk song of any particular community
composed with the interaction of ascend, descend, cadence and the related
qualities of notes, is closely connected with the special characteristics of
that particular community – the social, cultural life of the community.
Whatever
forms of songs may exit in that communal life, they cannot go beyond that
melodic pattern. That becomes the main tune of the community defined by the
particular geographical boundary and dialectical boundary. Such as the main
melodic pattern of North Bengal and Western Assam is Bhawaiya.
As
the tunes of folk songs are traditional, common people do not have to bother
about its tunes. Lyrics are mostly simple and not difficult to memorise and
remember. The folk composers hardly bother about the various grammatical and
musicological characters relating to meter, pitch, lexicography etc. They sing
the songs, which have been sung from generation to generation with little
variation here and there. Because they are so close to the soil, nature and are
nurtured by the open wide environmental conditions, these compositions are full
of unlimited simplicity and liveliness. Folk songs have, therefore, grown out
of socio-religious-economic needs coupled with the needs of enjoyment and
entertainment.
The
Bhawaiya songs have been composed in
Kamrupi or Rajbanshi dialect that has remained the lingua franca of this vast area from the ancient times. They have
been sung in traditional manner both in solo and chorus forms. Solo Bhawaiya songs relate to love,
affection, union, separation, happiness and sorrows of individuals, description
of nature etc. Chorus Bhawaiya songs
relate to social and ritual functions, marriage ceremonies, folk-dramas etc.
The
intimate relation between the folk and nature is another main characteristic of
Bhawaiya. In Bhwaiya nature takes the fore front place. Buffaloes, Elephants,
Birds, Rivers of this area, all find place in this song. Sometimes they
reflected directly and sometimes obliquely through comparisons.
According
to Hemanga Biswas, the famous folk
singer and researcher - “Besides the beautiful
lyrical qualities, even from the viewpoint of melodic structure and sharpness,
Bhawaiya is a rare wealth of not only Bengal but also the entire nation.”
Judged
from the above - mentioned important characteristics, it is clear that Bhawaiya is one of the popular folk
songs of Bengal.
Reference:
- Bhawaiyar Janmabhumi____ Mustafa Jaman Abbasi
- Bhawaiya____ Dr. Sukhbilas Barma
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