Bengal Folk music enjoys a robust foundation and popularity, owing to the significant contributions of the great mystic bards from West Bengal. It is intricately woven into the psyche of echoes through their villages.
To bridge the gap with urban dwellers and to celebrate the rich culture and heritage of Bengal, Purple Touch Creatives, a Delhi-based socio-cultural organization, along with the Dakshin Delhi Kali Bari in association with Ichchhe Bitan, organized a two-day festival of traditional folk songs to promote Bangla Folk music.
The event titled Folk Festival Lok Sanskriti Utsab organized at the Dakshin Delhi Kali Bari temple grounds in New Delhi on the 7th and 8th of September 2024 was inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Smt Madhumala Chatterjee renowned anthropologist who specializes in the Indigenous people of Andaman and Nicobar Island and 1991 she along with her Colleague were the first outsiders to make peaceful contact with the Sentinelese people.
The festival showcased the enchanting beauty and magic of traditional Indian culture and heritage. Instrumentalists playing conventional instruments like the ektara, dotara, dhol, dhamsha, banshi, khamak, and mondola set the tone, performing folk melodies. Artists and performers from various villages in West Bengal presented inspirational traditional Indian art forms such as Santhali dance, gomira dance ( dancers using masks), Chadar Badani puppet dance, Kobi gaan, baul akhara, and Bengali Sufi, etc.
The first-day program began with Purulia’s Santhali dance and Santiniketan’s Baul Akhara. Then the Gomira dance of Uttor Dinajpur and Bengali Sufi Qawali program was held in the evening.
Then on the second day, there was a puppet dance of Bhirbhum – Chadar Badani, Santhali dance of Purulia, and Baul Akhara of Santiniketan. Enthusiastic visitors enjoyed Purulia’s Santali dance and Kabigan fight late in the evening.
They also performed a selection of folk-themed Tagore songs, adding to the festive atmosphere.
The Shantiniketan Puppet dancers performed “Chadar Badani ” of Birbhum district.
Purulia Dasai Dance -A unique aspect is that men don dhotis in a style similar to women’s sarees and perform dances.
The Gomira Dance is a masked dance performed specifically at the Kamakhya Devi Temple in Assam, fifteen days before and after Kali Puja.
The word ‘Gomira’ has been derived from ‘Gram Chandi’ or ‘Gram Thakur’ or the village deity. In Bengali, ‘Gram’ means village while ‘Thakur’ refers to God. The Gomira mask dance is primarily performed for worshipping the ‘Gram Thakur’ or village deity. The masked dance symbolizes the rise of righteous power for vanquishing evil. Moreover, this dance form is also performed to seek the blessings of the village deity for a prosperous crop year.
The Gomira dance is indeed a captivating aspect of West Bengal’s cultural panorama. It serves as a bridge between the present and the past, allowing villagers to engage with their history through a dynamic medium. The intricate masks are central to the dance, each one a unique piece of art, steeped in symbolism and crafted to perfection. As the dancers move to the rhythm, they bring to life tales that have been passed down through generations, creating a powerful communal experience that reinforces social bonds and cultural identity. The Gomira dance remains a vibrant expression of the human spirit, resonating with the universal themes of good versus evil, and the cyclical nature of life and renewal.
Under the night sky, with the Maa Kali temple as a backdrop, audiences were captivated by performances from renowned musicians. The event had everyone present cheering and dancing. Musicians also performed a selection of folk-themed Tagore songs. Additionally, traditional artisans showcased and sold their exquisite creations, adding to the special occasion and helping promote the traditional cottage industry of our country.
Discussing the significance and conservation of this folk-art form, Asish Ranjan Das, the director of Purple Touch Creatives, eloquently highlighted the enduring charm of Bangla folk songs amidst modernity and urbanization, placing a special emphasis on music, particularly folk tunes, over other art forms.
At the event, he remarked, “The traditional culture and heritage of our great country, passed down through countless generations, must be preserved at all costs.”
“The artists, currently facing a financial crisis, need support to ensure their exquisite art form does not vanish with time, allowing them to live with dignity and respect. This is the primary mission of Purple Touch Creatives.
This year’s performers lineup included twelve Santal dancers from Purulia, four Santal Chadar Badani puppet groups from Birbhum, and a group of ten Gomira dancers from the Uttar Dinajpur district.
I would like to extend my gratitude to my core team members for their relentless effort and commitment to making this event a resounding success. I would also like to offer special thanks to General Secretary Shri Subrata Das of Dakshin Delhi Kali Bari and his team and Director Ms. Nabanita Chatterjee of Ichchhe Bitan team for hosting and supporting this significant cultural event,” he added.
