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Chhattisgarh is a state of India with strong tribal traditions of music and dance. The state of Chhattisgarh is best known for its deep roots in folk music, which originated from its long history of tribal involvement. [1]
Situated geographically in the centre of India, Chhattisgarh has a rich, historical culture of Indian folk music. This music is closely linked to the heritage of the town and has a strong interaction with relevant dances. The history of music in Chhattisgarh links to the states tribal population which covers about one-third of the community. [2] These tribal communities include Kamar, Kanver, Gond, Birhi, Baiga, Pando, Uranv, Korva, Halba and Binjhwar. Each of which makes up a large part of Chhattisgarh's history and population.
The music of Chhattisgarh is closely linked to the role of dance throughout its history. This is due to the religious and ceremonial aspect that music, particularly that of folk, has held the heritage of Chhattisgarh. Folk dance in Chhattisgarh is performed as a form of worship to Gods and mark the changing of seasons. This tradition dates back in history. The state of Chhattisgarh is one of the earliest dating’s of tribal communities in India, with the line dating back to 10 000 years ago in Baster. With each of these communities being home to their own distinct cultures, ceremonies, traditions and customs, there are various versions of music throughout Chhattisgarh. [3]
Due to the music of Chhattisgarh deriving from such a long line of history, original composers and lyricists are often exceptionally difficult to source. Rather, the practice of singing and oral storytelling through time has been what has allowed for the long time span of these lyrics. [4]
Up until 2021, Chhattisgarh has been recognised for its traditional music rather than the adoption of contemporary songs. This traditional music follows a primarily folk sound, often being sung to the tunes of indigenous instrumental accompaniments. The music itself is often backdropped to the sounds of measured, dancing steps which add to the overall symphony of Chhattisgarh song. [5]
Singing is another element often found in Chhattisgarh music, with songs being the primary ways that stories are told. There are various, famous methods of singing in Chhattisgarh.
Different types of instruments are required for itinerant singers and choirs within Chhattisgarh folk dance Nomadic singers often use light and small instruments that are easily moved by foot, whilst congregations need whole orchestral groupings of instruments. Ethnic instruments such as Daphra: a percussion drum made of a hollow wooden tube, Gudum: a membranophone percussion instrument, Mohri: a bowed string instrument, Jhaanjh: a form of cymbal and a Manjeera: a pair of small, handheld, high-pitched cymbals.
Prior to 1980, Ghumantu singers would sing alone or with a ragi-like partner. These songs would be sung with handmade instruments including the: tambara[ check spelling ], kingra baja, sarangi or sarangi, bana, khanjari or dhaf, dhafli. However, following 1980, a new phase of the singing of folk stories like Pandwani, Bharthari, Chandaloric began forming new troupes of instrumental collections. In these circles, musical instruments such as benzo, harmonium, tabla, flute and dholak increased. Traditional instruments like dhapra, nishan, nagara, tudburi, mohri-shehnai, mandar are in circulation all over Chhattisgarh. Areas like Bastar, Surguja and Raigarh are also popular in plain or plain Chhattisgarh. [9]
These include: The following musical instruments are more popular in plain Chhattisgarh:
As reflected in its primary ceremonial use, music in India has a deep cultural significance that derives from its connection to, and establishment from, nature. A major philosophy in Chhattisgarh is the valuing of nature as a vital aspect of all human society, fundamental to the survival and nourishing of all communities. Nature fits into the lore of Chhattisgarh through the common belief that this dependence humanity has on nature is a signatory of our inseparable connection to its inspiration. Further, the notion of uniformity and connection is strengthened by symbolising nature as a connection between all tribes, societies and races across our world. This lore is known as folk culture in Chhattisgarh.
Due to this deep connection to nature, folk songs of Chhattisgarh look to emit feels and emotions within individuals. The emotion of focus within these songs is that of freedom from any constraints or difficulties being faced by individuals. Hence, music is a significant part of the cultural heritage of Chhattisgarh, with it being seen as a means to which this freedom may be achieved. [12]
Further, the cultural significance of music within Chhattisgarh is shown through various famous lyrics still being available to us as a result of the oral storytelling and passing on of these stories through time. [13]
These lyrics are used either in lore (the retelling of an epic story such as the Mahabharata) or ceremonial (to perform at an event of some importance, i.e. Marriage and the change of seasons), as well as to depict a great emotion (demise, freedom, hope).
Many of the folk songs rely on the seasons and the weather to dictate when they are sung/performed. Examples of this may be seen through how Sawnahi is sung during the rainy and wet seasons, whilst Baramasi is sung over 12 months, and Fag as a part of the Basant Geet.
Sohar Geet:
“Sate sakhi aagu chale, sate sakhi chale, sate
sakhi ho lalana
Beech me dashada maharani chale ho Yamuna paani ho” [14]
The Sohar Geet is performed on the eve of a child’s birth to bless the child and the expecting mother with long and healthy lives. The songs depict the pain of the process of childbirth as well as the beauty of the connection between mother and child. The song is traditionally performed as a re-enactment of the conversation between Nanad and their sister in law at the birth of Krishna, and Lord Rama. The song also holds significant cultural significance in the promise of a continuation of one's family line through time and the good feeling that arises from this. In Bhojpuri dialect, the word Sohar means to feel good. Though the use of the song and general aspects of its performance stays the same throughout India, different regions and dialects call it different names. Many common alternatives include Sohla, Sohal, Sohilo and Somar. The most popular of the Sohar songs include titles such as Mili Juli Gaave, Nand Ke Janme, Bahuji Ke Petwa Mein Peera, Ganga Maiya Ki Oonchi and Janme Gokul Mein etc.
Vivah Geet:
“Ek tel Chadhge Ho hariyar hariyar
Mandva ma dhularu to badan kumhalay
Ram Lakhan ke ho Ram Lakhan ke
Tel o chadhat hai Kanhaba ke diyana hove anjor” [15]
The Vivah Geet is performed as a part of the ritual of marriage. Vivah itself translates to ‘marriage’. Traditional Chhattisgarhi marriage ceremonies contain various activities as part of the ritual such as Mangni: when soil is collected from the local water source to craft a clay oven. At such segments of the marriage, the Vivah Geet is performed.
Mrityu Geet
“Humko uda do chadariya kale ke bera hai
Sangi saathi jarkar aaye aaye
Angna me khade bartiya
Charjane mil bohkar le gaye” [16]
The Mrityu Geet is meant to depict and/or emit the notion of loss. It is known as the song of demise. The song traditionally depicts the idea of the immortal being unleashed.
Bihav song
The Bihav song is a category that is used and sung during marriage celebrations to commemorate the union. As many marriages in Chhattisgarh last over several days, much like many other Indian states, Bihav songs are sung according to various days of the marriage ritual. They are divided into various theses, mostly relating to the act of marriage.
These themes include:
The cultural significance of music within the Bihav song is hence deeply linked to rituals and customs of society. Many of these songs have been used to add a sense of tradition to the marriage ritual as well as add to the enthusiasm and excitement of the ceremony.
Sua Songs
Sua songs are a popular type of folk song common in the Dantewada and Bilaspur districts of Chhattisgarh. The songs are intended to be accompanied by Sua dance performances. Sua songs or Sua Geet songs refer to folk music that is performed by the women of Chhattisgarh as a celebration of the harvest period. They are an integral aspect of the festivals and celebrations in many rural areas of the state of Chhattisgarh. [17] Sua songs hold a particular performative element to them, with song, dance and colour each interacting to contribute to their attraction. Because of such, they are also commonly used in the celebration of Diwali within Chhattisgarh. In Chhattisgarh folk music, the Sua song is noted as feminine, and so it is traditionally performed by women who use the symbol of the parrot, Sua, to tell the story of internal worlds. The song is deeply connected to the history of Gond Adivasis tradition as a representation of the regional performative form. Post the celebration of Diwali, women from Chhattisgarh begin performing and singing these songs, continuing for up to two months. The songs are performed in a circle within the centre of which, a basket filled with harvested grain and traditionally a wooden parrot figurine is displayed. Rather than being accompanied by musical instruments, the songs are set to the beat of the collective clapping of hands. Because of this, Sua songs are very rhymic and lively. Often, Sua songs are also used as a form of celebration for the wedding of Shiva Parvati in Chhattisgarh lore.
Bhangra is a type of non-traditional music of Punjab originating from the Punjab region of India and Pakistan. It is a type of upbeat popular music associated with the Punjabi diaspora. The style has its origins in the folk music of Punjab as well as western pop music of the 1970s and 1980s.
Chhattisgarh is a landlocked state in Central India. It is the ninth largest state by area, and with a population of roughly 30 million, the seventeenth most populous. It borders seven states – Uttar Pradesh to the north, Madhya Pradesh to the northwest, Maharashtra to the southwest, Jharkhand to the northeast, Odisha to the east, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to the south. Formerly a part of Madhya Pradesh, it was granted statehood on 1 November 2000 with Raipur as the designated state capital.
Fiji is an island nation in the Pacific Ocean. Though geographically Melanesian, the music of Fiji is more Polynesian in character. Nevertheless, Fijian folk styles are distinct in their fusion of Polynesian and Melanesian traditions. Folk music is dominated by vocal church music, as well as dances characterized by rich and dull harmony and complex percussion made from slit drums or natural materials, such as drums.
Music of Jammu and Kashmir reflects a rich musical heritage and cultural legacy of the Indian-administered union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Two different regions of Jammu and Kashmir consists the Jammu region and Kashmir Valley. Music of Kashmir Valley has influences of Central Asian music while music from Jammu region is similar to that of other regions of North India.
Music of Punjab reflects the traditions of the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent, associated with Punjabi language. Punjab is currently divided into two parts: East Punjab, in India, and West Punjab, the most populous province of Pakistan. The Punjab has diverse styles of music, ranging from folk and Sufi to classical, notably the Patiala gharana. Contemporary Punjabi music has tended to include more modern hip-hop and R&B sounds. While this style of music is obviously most popular in Punjab, it has seen popularity across the subcontinent and areas with large Punjabi diaspora populations, such as Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
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Indian folk music is diverse because of India's enormous cultural and traditional diversity. It is sung in various languages and dialects throughout the length and breadth of this vast nation and exported to different parts of the world owing to migration.
Teejan Bai is an exponent of Pandavani, a traditional performing art form, from Chhattisgarh, in which she enacts tales from the Mahabharata, with musical accompaniments.
Indo-Caribbean music is the musical traditions of the Indo-Caribbean people of the Caribbean music area. Indo-Caribbean music is most common in Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Jamaica, Martinique and Suriname.
Sharda Sinha is an Indian folk and classical singer. Hailing from Bihar, she predominantly sings in Maithili and Bhojpuri language. She has sung many regional songs like "Vivah Geet", "Chhath Geet". In 1991, she received the Padma Shri award for her contribution to music. She was awarded Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian award, on the eve of Republic Day in 2018.
Several folk dance forms evolved in different regions of Odisha, Odissi and Chhau being some popular forms. Sambalpuri dance is most popular dance of western Odisha and is enjoyed by many.
Folk dances of Assam include the Bihu and the Bagurumba, the Bhortal, the Ojapali dance. Assam is home to many groups: Muslim, Indo-Aryan, Rabha, Bodo, Dimasa, Karbi, Mising, Sonowal Kacharis, Mishmi and Tiwa (Lalung) etc. These cultures come together to create an Assamese culture. Residents of the state of Assam are known as "Axomiya" (Assamese). Most tribes have their own language, although Assamese is the primary language of the state.
Raut is an Indian caste, whose traditional occupation is herding.
Chhattisgarh embraces a diverse cultural and traditional practices in India. As the state government has taken meticulous steps to preserve the tribal culture, these festivals and the traditions are celebrated almost from the time of ancient India.
Bhojpuri music is a form of Hindustani Classical Music and includes a broad array of Bhojpuri language performances in distinct style, both traditional and modern. This form of music is mostly created in Indian states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and other countries like Nepal, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Guyana, Netherlands, Mauritius and other Caribbean Islands.
The National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of India is an attempt to recognize the diversity of Indian culture embedded in its intangible heritage. It aims to raise awareness about the various intangible cultural heritage elements from different states of India at national and international level and ensure their protection.
Sua is a folk song sung by Gond women from the state of Chhattisgarh during the festival of Deepawali. The name 'Sua' comes from the word for 'parrot', a bird known for repeating phrases. According to folklore, women sing songs conveying messages through parrots, expressing their hearts' feelings with the belief that the parrot will convey the agony of their heart to their lover. It is sometimes called the 'Viyog', or 'separation' song. This folk song is usually sung during the paddy harvest. After Deepawali, Gondi women continue singing the song for two months.
Dholak ke Geet songs are Urdu folk songs from Hyderabad Deccan, sung by Hyderabadi women during daily routine chores or during wedding festivities. The folk songs are also known as "Lok Geet" and were popular as Chakkhi ke Geet, as they were sung when women used to grind grains at the mills. In modern days Dholak ke Geet are performed in pre-wedding occasions and upon family gathering on child birth.
Nagpuri culture refers to the culture of the Nagpuria people, the native speakers of the Nagpuri language, which includes literature, festivals, folk song and dance. It is also referred to as the culture related to the Nagpuri language.
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