Recovering and preserving underexposed Bangla folk songs

Local social organisation Participatory Advancement Social Service (PASS) has been working to preserve folk cultural traditions, particularly regional songs of northern Bengal since 2000. Executive director of PASS, Khandokar Mohammad Ali Shamrat told The Daily Star that the organisation believes that the need of the hour is to boost folk songs and other indigenous performing art forms. “Our activists are working with the objective of recovering and preserving the lost and rarely practiced folk songs of Bangladesh,” he said.

Recently the organisation has published a book on folk songs, titled “Pran-er Sur Bhawaiya,’ which covers over 350 lost songs, complete with their background. The collection process began in 1990 and was completed in 2008. The book was published this year by Gatidhara Prokashani, at Banglabazar area of Dhaka. The book was launched at the Dhaka Book Fair this year.

Another book, titled “Bangladesh-er Prachin Loko Sangeet,” which contains information on over 300 rare folk songs, is now underway in Dhaka. Also on the anvil are two books on folk songs — “Pala Gaan” and “Padma Puran.” Now 42 ‘Pala Gaan’ and seven ‘Padma Puran’ have been collected from the grassroots level.

PASS has been working in the northern part of the country from 1995 for the socio-economic betterment of the marginalised and underprivileged locals as well as the cultural development through awareness on social issues.

PASS is particularly involved in the collection and preservation of ‘Bhawaiya’ songs. The organisation also seeks to explore folk music traditions as well as create a platform for the rural artistes. Among the genres the organisation works on are ‘Pala Gaan,’ ‘Jari Gaan,’ ‘Shari Gaan,’ ‘Hason Rajar Gaan,’ ‘Bhawaiya,’ ‘Lalon Geeti,’ ‘Aoula Gaan,’ ‘Khepa,’ ‘Behular Gaan,’ ‘Padma Puran,’ ‘Manosha Mangal,’ ‘Murshidi,’ ‘Bhatiali,’ ‘Kirtan’ and ‘Bandona’ songs.

Now PASS is readying a team to train and advise organisations and individuals on folk songs, along with the development of children’s theatre, puppetry and performances highlighting human rights.

Abdul Wahed, Kurigram