Panchali (narrative form)

Panchali is an oral narrative form of songs and stories in Assamese and Bengali culture. ^[1] (panchali gaan collectively refers to the Bengali ballad songs) During a panchali recitation, the singer walks among the listeners making gestures to accompany the story. ^[2] The tradition is found among both Hindu and Muslim communities. ^[3] The themes are typically religious and reflect a variety of impacts on the culture through a period of several centuries. ^[4] Some focus on the duties of a good wife. ^[1]

Interspersed in the presentation of Bengali folk opera, there are frequently breaks which are filled with panchali and other forms of songs. ^[5] The panchali is followed by the singing of a religious song in Assam. ^[6]

Some popular Bengali "panchali"s include Lokkhir panchali (The Ballad of Goddess Lakshmi), Sriram panchali (The Ballad Lord Rāma), Bishohorir panchali (The Ballad of Goddess Manasā).

References

1. Roy, Manisha (2010-02-15). Bengali Women. University of Chicago Press. pp. 191–. ISBN   9780226230443 . Retrieved 29 August 2015.
2. Datta, Utpal (1992-01-01). Girish Chandra Ghosh. Sahitya Akademi. pp. 8–. ISBN   9788172011970 . Retrieved 29 August 2015.
3. Sengupta, Nitish K. (2011-01-01). Land of Two Rivers: A History of Bengal from the Mahabharata to Mujib. Penguin Books India. pp. 113–. ISBN   9780143416784 . Retrieved 29 August 2015.
4. Yamin, Mohammed. Impact of Islam on Orissan Culture. Readworthy. pp. 61–. ISBN   9789350181027 . Retrieved 29 August 2015.
5. Chakrabarti, Kunal; Chakrabarti, Shubhra (2013-08-22). Historical Dictionary of the Bengalis. Scarecrow Press. pp. 465–. ISBN   9780810880245 . Retrieved 29 August 2015.
6. Barthakur, Dilip Ranjan (2003). The Music and Musical Instruments of North Eastern India. Mittal Publications. pp. 42–. ISBN   9788170998815 . Retrieved 29 August 2015.