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Home , Arif Lohar, Babu (title), Behula, Bhawaiya, Bihu dance, Chinnaponnu

British Journal of Arts and Humanities, 2(3), 60-72, 2020

Publisher homepage: www.universepg.com, ISSN: 2663-7782 (Online) & 2663-7774 (Print) https://doi.org/10.34104/bjah.020060072

British Journal of Arts and Humanities

Journal homepage: www.universepg.com/journal/bjah

Evolution and Assessment of South Asian Folk : A Study of Social and Religious Perspective

Ruksana Karim*

Department of Music, Faculty of Arts, University, Dhaka, .

*Correspondence: [email protected] (Ruksana Karim, Lecturer, Department of Music, Jagannath University, Dhaka, Bangladesh)

ABSTRACT This paper describes how South Asian figured out from the ancient era and people discovered its individual form after ages. has too many colorful nations and they owned different culture from the very beginning. Folk music is like a treasure of South Asian culture. According to history, South Asian people established themselves here as a nation (Arya) before five thousand years from today and started to live with native people. So a perfect mixture of two ancient nations and their culture produced a new South Asia. This paper explores the massive changes that happened to South Asian folk music which creates several ways to correspond to their root and how they are different from each other. After many natural disasters and political changes, South Asian people faced many socio-economic conditions but there was the only way to share their feelings. They articulated their sorrows, happiness, wishes, prayers, and love with music, celebrated social and religious festivals all the way through music. As a result, bunches of folk music are being created with different lyric and tune in every corner of South Asia.

Keywords: Culture, South Asian folk music, Community, Tradition, Heritage, Rural, Evolution, and Lyric.

1. INTRODUCTION: cultures. Music is known as a most ancient art here. Since ancient era the development of art and culture is After ages, south Asian folk music has been changed going on. Folk music is known as the fundamental in many ways and spread its branches. Mainly the element of art and culture. Our planet is roaming with structural changes of folk music happened by the 195 different nations whose are strongly connected by evolution of language. Then individual musical tunes music (Albert, 1999). Though they have many types of raised and people living with a separated community languages, religions, foods, lifestyles but they are made various styles of folk . It has evolutes with almost common in arts. Folk music is that form of art people’s taste, transmitted orally. So, this can be very which was grown up since every nation’s difficult to find out the original of every establishment. Famous musicologist Dr. Chaitannya folk (Hossain, 2020). But history briefs that it D. Ranade has defined folk music as - “The music of composed by ordinary people followed by their people, by people and for people is folk music” tradition. Music is very close to their life cycle, most (Chaitannya, 2012) Asia is the biggest continent with of them are a part of rituals. From the ancient period over population and South Asia is different in various south Asia suffered many geographic and political changes near about thousand times. For that reason UniversePG l www.universepg.com 60 Karim R., / British Journal of Arts and Humanities, 2(3), 60-72, 2020 folk music moved here and there with people and of different part of South Asia, collecting photos and settled after their independency (Saha, 2020). But gathering information from rural South Asia. between those periods, a huge customization has been created by the folk people to separate themselves from 3. Review of Literature the others. As a result, we have revealed more over In this study it reviewed topic relevant literature, hundred patterns of religious songs, marriage songs, articles, e-journals, websites, research reports and love songs, sad songs, festival songs, classical songs, other documents to accomplish the research topic. boat songs, harvest cutting songs, season songs, separation songs and sufi songs in every rural areas of History of south Asian music - In every rural part of whole south Asia. After 20th century, it becomes a south Asia, music is not just a form of entertainment. developed urban civilization and the world recognized It is an important element in many activities of daily their folk music as an incredible heritage. The purpose life there and not to be used commercially. We have of this study is to find out the reasons for the survival found the first symbol of music after discovering rd nd of primitive folk songs among sophisticated music like Indus valley civilization of the 3 and 2 millennia pop, rock DJ, hip-hop etc and discuss social-religious BCE. This valley has two ancient cities, known to us connectivity. ‘Mohenjo-Daro’ and ‘Harappa’. Some symbols like bronze statue of a dancing girl, terracotta and Background of the Research pictographs on the seal, ancient musical instruments South Asian literature and music can be explained by (flute, drum) proves that the first civilization of south some book like Charyapad ; an ancient Buddhist Asia had a modern art and culture. They had been “Punthi” (a thousand years old book - written on palm terminated by the arrival of ‘Aryan’ civilization. leaf from Nepal) and Natyashastra by Varat Muni Aryan came from the northwest part of Asia. Their (), Dastan-e-Amir Hamza (), Sangam religious and different types of hymns are (Sri ). Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Afghani- composed by the bard-priest to the praise of God. stan, Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives and - these These are called ‘Vedic chant’ and it is known ‘Veda’ eight countries are known as South Asia together together. There are four ‘Veda’s and this ancient (Hiromi, 2012). But they are very different in culture religious poetry is the basement of Hindu religion in and each country contains variety types of folk music. south Asia. According to Winternitz (a German All of the folk songs have own structure, theme and scholar of Vedic literature), these gathas and sama- composition. Though they have different tastes, folk vadsukta’s (conversational hymns) in Vedas were songs are made with their choices and that is an prototypes of later folk songs, and was the root incredible evolution rising continuously in South Asia. of further development of dramas (Chaitannya, 2012).

Research Questions Besides, the epic poems ‘’, ‘’ (also known as ‘Puranas’) and the famous sermon 1. What is the main texture of folk music in South ‘ Shri Bhagavad-Gita’ are also example of Asia? . The pure ancient art of south Asia was 2. How many types of folk music in South Asia? identified after we found ‘Natya-shastra’. It is a book

3. Why people assumed own music in society? of the explanation of drama accompanied dance and 4. Why folk music is extra ordinary in South Asian music which was written by ‘’. Same time in culture? the east part of south Asia, an ancient ‘Punthi’ (tale) 5. What types of changes happening to the South was written and composed by some Buddhist poets. Asian culture in modern ages? These are known ‘Charyapod’ together and it has different language- ancient . Mainly 2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: these ancient books are the foundation of south Asian This research is a descriptive-qualitative research that music and after much development it classified by two includes historical study of folk music, data collection parts- and folk music. There are also and analysis, listening ancient and modern folk music UniversePG l www.universepg.com 61 Karim R., / British Journal of Arts and Humanities, 2(3), 60-72, 2020 many antique literatures and rural theatrical songs Babul ki duaayein leti ja (, tale) that modified folk songs at early ages. Ja tujhko sukhi sangsar mile (composer - That’s the reason of a little bit changes between the Shankar Sharma) music of south Asian countries. Richard M. Dorson Origin - India (movie-Neel Komal) has outlined four broad sectors of Folklore and Folk Language - life studies; they are: Meaning- take blessings from your father, I wish you

1) Oral Literature have a happy married life. 2) Material Culture Mehendi lagake rakhna, doli sajake rakhna 3) Social Folk Customs Le ne tujhe o gori, ayenge tere sajna (composer - Jatin 4) Performing Arts (Richard, 1972) ) Classification of folk music (region- south Asia) Origin-India (movie - Dilwale Dulhaniya le Jayenge) The configuration of south Asian folk music depends Language - Hindi on its geographical effects, living styles and socio- Meaning - apply henna and decorate a cart. Your economic challenges. The weather of this area, their husband will to lift up you. society-religion and their imaginative habits cons- Chitta kukkad banere te, tantly influenced them to compose music. According kashni dupatte vaaliye to this side, it can be classified by 3 cycles - life cycle, Mundasadke tere te (Composer - unknown) socio-economic cycle and religious cycle. Origin - Pakistan (Panjabi folk song) Life cycle - this category consisting birth, marriage Language - Panjabi and death. Birth is the very common and happiest Mangala nakathin yannata, suba welawa lunwiya matter of our life. South Asian people have a tradition diyani to welcome the new born baby like the others. On the Ape sewana hara apata noridawa, oba apagen other hand, death is the most mournful matter in samuganne world. There are no specific songs for birth and death Suba gananak wewa sudu duwa, suba gamanak wewa. in south Asia. But about marriage, they have a lot of (Composer - unknown) traditional songs. Before wedding, especially in Origin - Sri Lanka Bangladesh, India and Pakistan they celebrate haldi Language - Sinhala (turmeric) and mehendi (henna) ceremony (Marian, 2004). The famous songs of this event are - Hitru badline cha,phool haru phool ne cha

Holud bato mendi bato, bato fuler mou Feri jharcha ti sabai, hamro maya rahancha Biyar sajon sajbe konna, koromcha rong bou re Sukha hos ya dukha,nirogi hos ya rogi (Composer - Ali Hossain) Jahile sath dine chu, hamro maya rahancha. Origin - Bangladesh (movie - Dak ) (Ruksana, (Composer - selah)

2017) In qafelaye omar ajab megozarad Language - Bengali Ahesta boro, mahe man ahesta bero (Composer - Meaning - smash turmeric smash henna, smash the unknown) honey of flower. The bride will glow after getting Origin - Afghanistan ready for wedding. Language - Persian Lilabali lilabali vor juboti soi go Meaning - walks slowly (This is the traditional entry Ki diya sajaimu tore. (Composer - unknown) song of Afghan bride and groom) Origin - Bangladesh Generally the senior person of family and society Language - Bengali (grandmother, aunt) and young girls (sister in laws, Meaning - lilabali lilabali the bride is too young. cousins and friends of bride and groom) were used to Which material I use to decorate you? perform these types of wedding songs in 19th century. UniversePG l www.universepg.com 62 Karim R., / British Journal of Arts and Humanities, 2(3), 60-72, 2020

They used various traditional instruments like dolok, They had introduced Bengali music with a new pattern flute, sehnai and performed chorus with claps. In 20th and folk song became simplified. By following them, century in advance of electronic technology, wedding composing music was a famous profession to the new songs were played through cassette, CD and speaker. generation. was the example of that Boys were started to participate with girls in wedding time. Most of the young men of this family were like functions. In the middle of 20th century, wedding to compose music. Jyotirindranath Tagore, Rabin- celebrations became very popular in society and an dranath Tagore, Dijendra lal roy, Kazi nazrul , unexpected competition of luxurious wedding party , Rajanikant sen, fakir, Radh- began. Now a day’s wedding songs are performed araman datt, Hason , Ramesh shil were the most with dance, live music and DJ party is a mandatory creator of Bangladesh (Prabhat, 2005). part of wedding celebration. Even bride and groom Before the arrival of technology in south Asia, the both perform together with their mates. Native folk entertainment in the rural areas depended on a large songs are performed with DJ and heavy metal coverage of stage performances by folk singers. The instruments. Sometimes songs are played rural folk music can be classified in numerous sub instead of folk music. genres like -

Socio-economic cycle - Folk music is very close to a) Lalon - This is the most popular folk music, written this cycle. From the ancient period, south Asia had a and composed by Lalon Fakir of Kushtia, Bangladesh. civilized nation. Most of the people were farmer in the His spiritual composition and unique style is liked by beginning. By the renovation of civilization people the rural and urban generation both. These songs are started to change their occupation for better life. As a very popular in abroad also. Example - result their economy grew up and we found much Dhonnyo dhonnyo boli tare social discrimination between rich and poor. Rich Bedheche emono ghor people were a very few in number, but most of the Shunnyer upor posta kore. general people were poor and they had no Meaning - hails that Almighty, who has created the entertainment. Most of them were boatman, fisher- world on vacuity. man, snake-charmer, weaver, blacksmith, potter, coachman, teacher, saint, herdsman, wood-cutter etc. b) - This is a kind of music that always Their lifestyle, sorrows and happiness were taken composed by a common (mode) and sung by placed in their music and that’s the way they share fisherman or boatman. Bangladesh is a land of river their feelings with others. and a good number of rural people lives by catching

In Bengali the ancient book ‘Charyapad’ fish. They have to spend near about six months on represents the traditional literature and music practice boat and they compose songs to avoid loneliness. in Bangladesh. After ‘Charyapad’ many antic book Generally this type of song has a long tune empha- likes ‘Geeta-govinda’, ‘Nath-geetika’, ‘Srikrishna sized by water and the lyric focused the desire to go ’, ‘Monosa- mangal’ also described the back home. Example - continuous musical movement in few centuries. Koi jao re, Padmar dheu amar kotha loiya jao re Bengali folk music mainly inspired by these books Andhar raite majh doriyay , baite achi nao re (Chakraborty, 2011). During the British period, Meaning - where are you going river Padma? Please Bengali rural community became converting to urban. take my speech. It is dark night and I am sailing in In this time, folk music was started to get popularity middle of river. and composed by some educated urban people. Ramprasad, Komolakant, Ramnidhi gupta, Kalimirza, c) - These songs are written and composed Shridhar , Dashorathi roy, Govinda adhikari, by bullock-cart driver in north part of Bangladesh. The Gopal ure, Madhukan, Girishchandra ghosh were the dry weather and long passage from home is the main respected folk song writer in the first half of British theme of its lyric and tune is as long as the roads, period (Chakraborty, 2011). sometimes bumpy like the rough channel. Example - UniversePG l www.universepg.com 63 Karim R., / British Journal of Arts and Humanities, 2(3), 60-72, 2020

Baokumta batas jemon, ghuriya ghuriya more Folk music is closely associated with farming and O ki o re tor moton mor garir chaka ponthe other such professions and evolved to alleviate the Ponthe ghure re o ki gariyal mui choron rajo ponthe. hardship and break the monotony of the routine life. (Cultural India, 2020) In India, the folk music is d) Gambhira - Gambhira is a very famous song of almost same as Bangladesh in tune, but they have Chapai-nawabganj, Bangladesh performed with a different language and rhythm. India is one of the particular distinctive rhythm and dance. It has always biggest countries of Asia and almost every region in two performers, acting the character of grandfather India has its own folk music. As early as 400 BC, and grandson for social awareness. Example - Indian musical treatises had drawn a clear distinction Hey, nana. bose thakis na ar ghore te between marga sangeet (music for the gods) and desi Nana chol jai brikkhoropon korite sangeet (music of people) and it is the latter that Meaning - hey, grandpa don’t be seated inside evolved into what we now know as folk music. The home. Let’s go, plant some trees. is a huge and diverse area with e) - A dance oriented folk song of the east hundreds of different languages and dialects, and folk part of Bangladesh. It is practiced in Sylhet, Bangla- music varies greatly from region to region (Jameela, and in areas influenced by the sylheti culture 2011). such as Shilong, & Tripura in India. Example - Now a day, Marga sangeet is known as classical

tomra kunjo sajao go, aij amar pranonath asite pare music. The modern has two Mone chay prane chay, dile chay jare. parts- Hidustani and Karnataki. But the folk music has Meaning - friends please decorate the garden, today many forms including Dandiya, , Jugni, Sufi, my lover can come. My heart and soul wants him. Lavani, , Bhavageete, Naatupura padalgal, Bihusong, Kajri, , , , Uttara- f) Hason raja- another popular song of Sylhet zone, khandi, , Kolattam, Tamang selo, written and composed by land lord Hason raja. It has song, Vatiali, etc. Here some songs are given below one of the most devotional lyric and very rhythmic that introduces traditional folk - tunes. He also composed spiritual songs like Lalon fakir. Example - i) Bihugeet - Bihugeet is known as a very popular Assamese traditional folk song. This kind of song is Loke bole, bole re ghor bari vala na amar generally associated with the dance which is Ki ghor banaimu ami shunnyeri majhar. performed by a group of young men and women. They Meaning - people say that my house isn’t good. Which dance with the beats, holding each other and they type of house I would make in this emptiness? looks very beautiful with traditional dress. Example -

Besides these songs, there are Jhumur, Baul, Sari, Bihur e logon modhur e logon Zatra, Zarigan, , Palagan, Bhandari and tribal Akashe batase lagilo re songs too. Bangladesh has also a good number of Chompa futiche chameli futiche patriotic songs and film songs inspired by folk songs. Tar subase moyna amar vasilo re. It is notable that the national anthem of Bangladesh ii) Naatupura paatu- Naatupura paatu is a traditional was composed by following a folk song of , but also played in , famous baul song ‘ami kothay pabo tare’. Abbas uddin India. These songs are usually accompanied by ahmed, Abdul alim, Nina hamid, Ferdousi begum, traditional drums and sehnai. Sometimes traditional Baul Shah Abdul karim, Fakir Majnu shah, dance performance also accompanied with them. Rathindranath roy, Pilu mamtaj, Kuddus boyati, Fakir Example - Alamgir, Kangalini Sufiya, Kiran Chandra roy, Chandana Majumder, Farida pervin, Bari siddiqi, Nattupura paatu onnu Momtaj begum, Shyam sundar vaisnab, Saidur rahman Naan padikkiren kelu machaan boyati, Indramohan rajbangshi are the famous folk Nattupura paatu onnu singers in Bangladesh. Naan padikkiren kelu machaan. UniversePG l www.universepg.com 64 Karim R., / British Journal of Arts and Humanities, 2(3), 60-72, 2020 iii) Kajri - This is a traditional folk song with classical viii) Garba - Garba is a traditional dance related folk motif, originated in , India. This type of song is music especially played to celebrate ‘Nabaratri’ in known to be gloomy and loneliness, sung by women. , India. Garba songs typically revolve around During monsoon when their husband has been away the subjects of Lord or the nine god- from home, kajri song accompanied them to enjoy the desses. The word Garba comes from the word loneliness. This song had been composed in particular for womb and so implies gestation & life. and this song is classified in semi-classical genre Example - in modern ages. Example - Gori sharmayi, man mein muskayi

Mag bichkare bar jori ram Gunji angina mein sehnai Sham salone sawariya Baje gali mein , gori ghunghatiya iv) Maand - This is a traditional folk style of Pi se Milan ki ghari ayi

Rajasthan and also known as semi-classical music. ix) Bhangra - Bhangra is a form of dance oriented This song has the soulful music with its expressive folk music of , India and Pakistan during scales of sarengi and the lyric tells about the life. harvest season. Example - Example - Deshi jat nu bhilaiti daru chadh gai Kesariyan, balma more O balle balle ni tere jiyan lakh vekhiyan Badharo mere desh. Folk music is also used for educational purposes. For v) Koli - Traditional song of fisherman and very fast instance sex education has traditionally been taught in beat, dance oriented composition. This is the song by song. There is a function when a originated in Maharastra, India. The lyric of this song girl has her first menses. In this function the elderly talks about the life at sea and the composition assoc- women in the community gather at the house (men are iated with their unique dance style. Example - definitely excluded) the girl is given her first woni and

Ayi tujh deul, sajatyi gulalle dongran gi langa (half sari which is worn by unmarried girls), Gulalle dongran palkita nachin rich food and other gifts. During this function the wo- Gulal urvun shetache mahinan gi men sing songs that are extremely bawdy. To an Setache mahinan. outsider this would seem uncharacteristic of obviously respectable community members. However the func- vi) Lavani - Lavani songs are often used in theatrical tion of such songs is to provide the girl's first performance with erotic or socio-politically charged instructions on her emerging womanhood and what . These songs are usually sung by women and her future marital duties will be (David, 2020). The used a lot of classical ingredient in folk pattern. famous folk singers who currently representing Indian Example - folk music are - Mallika Pukhraj, Gambhari devi, Latpat latpat latpat latpat Chinnaponnu, , Bhikhari thakur, Kalika Tujha chalnag motha naghra char Prasad vattyacharya, Kamal heer, , Illa Chanag motha naghra char arun, parvati baul, Kartik Chandra baul, Amar arshi, Bolnag manjhra me ni char. Allah jilai bai, Anima chowdhury, Anupama vii) Baul music - Indian boul songs are found in west deshpande, Jagjit kour, Diller mehendi, Vimalakka, which is very close to Bangladeshi baul songs. Usha utthoop, Thanjai selvi, Pratima pandey, They used traditional instrument , and Papon, Vijayalakshmi navaneethakrishnan, Mukhtiyer dubki. These songs are influenced by , ali, Surinder kour, Jagmohan kour, etc (Jameela, and Bengali Vaisnaism also. Baul song is the 2019). most antic musical art of south Asia and very close to Sri Lankan folk music is a mixture of ancient Buddhist native people. Example - religious tradition and Indian native culture. The Sona bondhu tui amare korli re diwana influence of both European colonization and African Mone toh mane nah, dile toh bojhe nah. traditions served to further expand the musical roots of UniversePG l www.universepg.com 65 Karim R., / British Journal of Arts and Humanities, 2(3), 60-72, 2020 contemporary Sri Lankan music. In the mid of C) Hori Song - This is sung in eastern Terai regions, fifteenth century, the Portuguese were first arrived in especially in Mithila areas during festival. Sri Lanka and brought traditional , ukuleles, Example - cantiga ballads. Before that the native people usually Mithilame Ram Khelat Hori Mithilame entertained themselves by folk poem ‘Kavi’. Another Kinaka Ke Haath Kanak Pichkari traditional folk song is known as ‘Virindu’ and Kinaka Ke Haath Abir Jhori ‘Baliya’. The famous of Sri Lanka is Mithilame.... classified in some sub-genre like Kolam and Puppetry, Ramji Ke Haath Kanaka Pichkari Pageantry, Nurti, Sinhala light music etc. Here a Siyaji Ke Haath Abir Jhori famous traditional Sri Lankan folk songs is given Mithilame.... Mithilame Ram.... below - Adhare hithenawa dekkama D) Deuda Song - This is sung in far western Nepal Dewangana wage lassanai during various festivals and occasions. Example - poddak inna sudo ma Rai Jhuma Jhuma Kya Maskya Chhan Ho, Rai enawa langatama den hondai Jhuma W.D Amaradeva, Lionel ranwala, Sunil santha, R.A Chaubandi Dhakako Cholo, Chhitko Fariyaki Chandrasena, Niranjala sarojini are known as famous Paatali Ghar Kahan Ho Tamro Baisa Bhariyaki folk music artist. Most of the Nepali folk music is Ma Ta Rai Jhuma, Jhuma Kya Maskya Ki Chha composed locally and sung in the fair, market, Ho, Rai Jhuma. choutaries in every occations. Some notable traditional Nepali folk songs as Malashree tune played in E) Palam Song - This is sung in eastern regions by Dashain, Asare Bhaka sang while planting rice, Sakela Limbu community. Example - sang in Udhauli-Ubhauli, Deusi-Bhailo songs played Singhao Thungwe Kakma Faag in Tihar etc. these folk songs have their own origins Minchhangen Aani Yammi Saag and importance. Palam from Limbus, Syabru from Iksagen Khambek Aadhokhelle Sherpas, Selo from Tamangs, Kaura from Magars, Thingnamdat Sarak Aabokhelle. Hakpare from Eastern states makes Nepali tradition glorious including Deuda from Far-Western, Holi F) Teej Song - Teej is a religious festival of Nepal songs from Terai, Sakiyapaiya from Tharus, Newari and northern part of India. A song by Hindu females songs, Teej songs equally. Example - during Teej festival is known as Teej song. Example -

A) Eastern Folk Song - This is sung in eastern Teejko Bela Sabai Janchhan Maaita regions while doing household chores. Example - Aafno Maaiti Muglaan Paari Chhaina Saaita.

Himchuliko Hiu Ko Paani Dhramaraj thapa, Kumar , Jhalak man gand- Goganpaat Le Piula Hajur harva, Gyanu rana, , Arun thapa, Bhaga- Yeti Ramro Dhalke Jowan wan bhandari, Tara devi, Sunita dulal, Koili devi, Raju Timilai Nai Diula Hajur. lama, Master Mistrasen Thapa Magar, majhi, B) Tamang Selo - This is a traditional song of Navneet aditya waiba are the famous folk singer of Tamang community who lived in hills in eastern and Nepal. In south Asia Afghanistan, Pakistan and western part of Nepal. Specially used for expression of Bangladesh are known as Islamic country, but love, passion and sorrow, Tamang Selo is also sung as Afghanistan and Pakistan has a very conservative question & answer between two competing groups of society. They are quite different than Bangladesh. In singers. (Kullabs). Example - Afghanistan, they owned Islamic culture during the

Ghorki Syauri Gyalmari fifteenth century and produced Sufi style vocal and Gengla Tukra Supari instrumental music. Kabul and Herat are two of the Geng Tukrata Syauri Se Dhuike Laji Chyago. cities and areas which have great tradition of folk music in Afghanistan, folk song from the herat is UniversePG l www.universepg.com 66 Karim R., / British Journal of Arts and Humanities, 2(3), 60-72, 2020 known as ‘Herati’. Their music has strong influences Sufi styles like and songs. They also of Iran and India both. Their lyrics often depict upon have a huge collection of religious songs. Besides texts following from classical Persian poetry. these, Pakistan is known as a valley of art with traditional music. G) - Classical traditional which is called Klasik is under influence of North i) Qawwali - Qawwali as a is closely Indian classical music. This is quite close to Indian linked with the Sufi tradition of Islam and the and Pakistani classical. There are several genres: sung particular practices that Sufi scholars developed to poetry especially , and also instrumental pieces achieve closeness to God. When Muslim Sufis came naghmeh and ragas. The music is predominantly urban to India, the first thing which struck them was the and has close historical links with India and Pakistan important role which music played in the socio- (Simon et al., 2000). Each ethnic group in Afghanistan religious life of the local inhabitants. They realized has its own style of folk music, with its own sound. that music would help them to communicate with the Regardless of where a song is from, it usually tells people and attract their attention towards the tenets of about honor, love, war and family. Sometimes the Islam. 18 Ghazal is a structured form of love poetry, theme of love is disguised with reference to roses and written in six to twenty-six paired lines. This poetry nightingales. Many folk songs are based on epic appealed to people of all classes (Aleen, 2018). It is poems and folktales (Erin, 2003) The generally language based and has a connection called Attan is regarded as the national dance in to the root of classical Arabic poetry also."Ghazal" is Afghanistan from the Pashtun area. Example- Arabic word which means "Talking to women". Example - Manba dunbal-e dilam ba chashm khonbar amadam Arezo gom karda-am ba halat-e zar amadam Dard Badhkar Dil Ka Hadd Se Paar Ho Gaya Sitamgar Jeena Ab To Mera Dushwar Ho Gaya. An important improvised folk song genre of the region Hai Shikayat Mujhe Ab Khud Se Itni is known as Chahar Baiti (four lines or quatrain). Kyun Maine Kabhi Kisi Se Pyar Kiya? Although chahar baiti literally refers to “four lines,” it Gam-A-Alam Me Duba Rehta Hoon Is Kadar actually refers to couplets comprised of four half-lines Dard Ka Ek Silsila Ab Dil Me Reh Gaya. with the rhyme scheme AABA. These short poems are usually composed on the subject of love and sung one Meaning - pain increased and crosses the heart; it has after another, often inspiring new compositions. difficult for me to live as an oppressor. I have so many Example - complaints now, why I have loved someone ever? I am overwhelmed with lost memories, a series of pain Maqorban-e sar-e darwaza mesham lingered in my heart. Sadayat meshnawom estada mesham Sadayat meshnawom az dur o nazdiq ii) Shindhi - Sindhi kafi is an indigenous musical Ma misli ghumcha-ye gul taza mesham form of . The word kafi, is of Ararbic origin,

Meaning - I sacrifice myself at your doorstop (When) used in the sense of “final” or “enough” in the I hear your voice, I stand (When) I hear your voice expression “Allah Kafi”, which means, “God from far or near I become as fresh as a flower bud. Almighty is Supreme”. Thus the kafi is a devotional form of music composed in a particular form derived During Taliban period, music has been very restricted from a mixture of classical, semi-classical, and light in Afghanistan but some notable folk artist keep music forms (specifically, the kheyel, , , representing their tradition and culture as well. Safdar and geet). The mystic poetry of the Sufi saints is tawakoli, Faiz karizi, Sakeeb hamdard, Rizwan usually sung in this mode. Example - munawar, Mangal are most renowned folk artist of Ku tak pernah terfikir jatuh cinta pada dirimu Afghanistan. Folk songs of Pakistan include the tradi- Tak pernah terfikir kau kan jadi yang terindah. tional forms of Balochi, , Punjabi, Sindhi and other regional languages. These are truly motivated by Meaning - what to do if you want to be ‘cinta pada dirimu’? Take a look at each and every one of this. UniversePG l www.universepg.com 67 Karim R., / British Journal of Arts and Humanities, 2(3), 60-72, 2020 iii) music - Music from Hazara Division is century and built up neighborhood with African and sung in Hindko language and is generally performed Asian nations beside the coast. Their culture has in ether the ‘Mahiyay’ or ‘Shaer’ styles (Marian, influenced by these mainland neighbors, codifying the 2004). Example - unique Maldives sound. Lava, which is the Maldivian

chitey chaney di chandni term for singing, has many different roots and sargi diya tariya.... traditions.

ho sargi diya tariya lo chaa dy H) Bodu buru - This iconic music, which also is mera chala gumahiye o chaa dy. known as Boduberu, means Big Drums (Bodu Beru). The music is made for dancing and dancers celebrate iv) Pashto music - Pashto music is commonly found Bodu Beru by performing dance rooted in the in the federally administrated tribal area, Khyber traditions of the islands starting with a slow beat that’s pakhtunkhwa and in Pakistan's major urban centers tempo heightens as the dancers react and leading into such as , Rawalpindu, , Sialkoat and a crescendo of wired frenzied movements inspired by . Music genres include Thappa, Charbeta, the unbridled pulse of the beats (Rudolfo, 2018). This Neemkai, Loba, Shaan and Badala (Aleen, 2018). traditional music is performed as a complementary Example - entertainment in their religious and social occasions. Lare ka ghamona jinae Example - Lare ka, lare ka ghamona. Mai hoorekety thee V) Jhumar - Jhumar or Jhoomar is the traditional Nala rivethi haa Soora libifai vaa Saraiki folk dance. It is a lively form of music and Mai maluge zaarehgaa fenivaa. dance that originated in the Multan and . It I) Thaara - This is another traditional music that is slower and more rhythmic. The word "Jhumar" represents the ancient culture of Maldives as well as comes from Jhum/Jhoom, which means Swaying. The semi religious aspects. Thaara is performed by around songs evoke a quality which reminds of swaying. 22 male , seated in two rows facing one Though the content of these songs is varied - they are another, and accompanied by dancers. Performers usually loved with emotional songs too. The Jhumar is wear white sarongs, which are big spans of fabric a dance of ecstasy. Jhumar is performed usually at the wrapped around the waist, with white shirts and wedding ceremonies. It is a living demonstration of greens scarves around their necks. The music also the happiness. The dance is mostly performed by the begins slowly before the tempo gradually increases Balochi and Saraiki people of Southern Punjab (Reza). into a climax of melody and rhythm (Rudolfo, 2018) Example -

Meko eho ta dasa Religious cycle - The main religions in south Asia are kewain jor aeh thasi Islam, Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, , way meko eho ta dasa , etc. Now a day, Islam is the largest kewain jor aeh thasi religion in south Asia (30.08%), but Hinduism and Buddhism are the most ancient religion here. Music is The famous folk singers of Pakistan are , also highly connected to religious cycle. In Muslim , Alom Lohar, , Allan Fakir, Sain countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Zahoor,, , Malika some places of India , Naat, Qawwali songs, Pukhraj, Zarina Balooch, Abida Parvin, Farida Ghazal, Zikr and Islamic Sufi songs are known as Khanam, Ghulam Ali, Iqbal Banu, Mai Bhagi, Islamic folk music. On the other hand Kirtan, Shyama , Rahim Shah, , etc. The sangeet, Vakti geet, Bhaisnav geet, are famous Maldives is a South Asian nation connecting 26 for Hindu religion in south Asian countries like India, islands together, to be found in the , Bangladesh and Nepal. There are also some devotional southwest of Sri Lanka and India. The native inhab- th songs for Christianity and Buddhist chant in Sri itants of Maldives embraced Islam during the 12 Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh. Example -

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Nai holo ma boson vuson Bochor bochor aste hobe Ei Eid e amar tomay ma.

Allah amar mathar mukut Meaning: you have to come every year, mother Durga. Rosul holar har (Composer - ) Origin - Bangladesh Traditional musical instruments

Meaning - though I have no clothes in this Eid, Allah There are various types of used in is the crown of my head and Rosul (swt) is my south Asia. They are Dhol, , Flute, Harmonium, necklace. Dholok, , Dotara, Ektara, , , Sarengi, , , , Sehnai, , Duff, , Karatala, Jhanjhar, Snake charmer veen, Chanda, , Nagada, Tikara, Dilruba, Manjira etc.

Fig 1: Ghatam Fig 2: Dilruba Fig 3: Flute Fig 4: Mridangam

Fig 5: Harmonium Fig 6: Tabla Fig 7: Chybrung Fig 8: Khol

Fig 9: Fig 10: Ravanahatha Fig 11: Rubab UniversePG l www.universepg.com 69 Karim R., / British Journal of Arts and Humanities, 2(3), 60-72, 2020

Fig 12: Fig 13: Fig 14:

Innovation of folk music in South Asia traditional instruments. Folk music is also sung with Folk music is recognized as a heritage in South Asia new compositions called ‘Fusion’ which is liked by now a day. During British period, the people of this our new generation. They often like to mix traditional area were started to learn European culture and the folk songs with rock and . So this is very local culture was getting improvised by urban people. encouraging that the original version of folk music They had to change their profession, life style, with heavy metal instruments is getting popular day by language, habit overall a complete transformation day. because the British government wanted to make them New generation is very much curious about leaning their follower. But the people didn’t like that and they music and this advantage is the only way to exploring fought for liberation. After the independency South folk music globally. But some people doesn’t like to Asia becomes very decorative by conserving their mix or Fusion, even they aren’t willing to use any individual folk culture and preserves the core of each instruments with folk song. Actually they want to keep nation. We should be very thankful to technology and the purity of their music. Coke studio Pakistan took the the inventors of different media that helps us to record first step by broadcasting these Fusions in south Asia. and broadcast music. Gramophones, Radio, Television, They had improvised their folk songs with a new Cassette player, CD player, computer, Walkman, composition and used highly professional electronic Mobile phone, iPods are the most popular media for th instruments to produce traditional tunes. They also music. At the last of 20 century, Internet becomes the made collage song with few lines taking from two or latest communicating media and getting popularity day three different songs, used western patterns and that by day. Now a day, folk music is highly recommended was a musical blast of the history of south Asian for identification. For example - international games music. India also started this program followed by like Olympic, World cup tournaments or in any them and achieved highest popularity of all the reality/charity shows, all of the organizing countries television shows. Besides these, various types of folk represents their traditional folk music in opening and song are uploaded by young folk artists in YouTube closing ceremony both. That is really the matter of and social media also. The extreme uses of folk music pride and also prestigious. are found in many movies, dramas and theatres of After ages, the original of folk music were south Asia. The Indian movies like Laila-Majnu, Ali passed and they explored their music through the baba 40 chor, Lekin, Dor, Lagan, Swadesh, Mirza are generation. In the megacities most of the music loving based on Indian folklore and had a huge uses of folk people has invented many electronic instruments using music. They also have a good number of folk songs in different technologies. These instruments are used with their commercial cinemas. In Bangladesh, a lot of movies like- , Rupvan, Suyorani-Duyorani, Sat UniversePG l www.universepg.com 70 Karim R., / British Journal of Arts and Humanities, 2(3), 60-72, 2020 vai champa, Nawab sirajuddoula, Nolok, Beder meye folk music turned into the international age of music josna, Srabon megher din, Hason Raja, Moner manus through the thousand year’s continuous evolution and are full of folk music. These two countries are very achieved a glorious dignity. much sincere about their folk culture from the other countries of south Asia. Specially, Bangladesh became 5. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: appreciated by the others after arranging “International This study was supported with proper help and Folk Fest” every year. guidance in the Dept. of music, Jagannath University, Bangladesh. Heartiest thanks to Dept. of history, 4. CONCLUSION: Jagannath University, Bangladesh. All translations Music’s transformative reputation seems to be an from Hindi, Urdu, Arabic, Pashto, Sindhi, and Bengali ancient as discussions of music itself. Plato has are mine unless otherwise stated. Socrates remarks on this theme: ‘“And it is not for this reason Glaucon,’ said I, ‘that education in music is 6. CONFLICT OF INTERESTS: most sovereign, because more than anything else The author declared no prospective conflicts of the rhythm and harmony find their way to the inmost soul interest with respect to the research work. and take strongest hold upon it, bringing with them and imparting grace, if one is rightly trained and otherwise 7. 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Citation: Karim R. (2020). Evolution and assessment of South Asian folk music: a study of social and religious perspective, Br. J. Arts Humanit., 2(3), 60-72. https://doi.org/10.34104/bjah.020060072

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