Entertainment/Events
Asiatic Society presented Folk Music & Chau Dance of Jungle Mahal during World Heritage Week
By : PARTHA ROY
The Asiatic Society presented Folk Music of Jungle Mahal and Chau Dance
at its heritage premise Vidyasagar Hall in Kolkata on 22nd November 2024 during World Heritage Week celebration around the world.
Lieutenant Colonel Anant Sinha, Administrator of The Asiatic Society welcomed the august gathering. In 2010, the Chhau dance was inscribed in the UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Lieutenant Colonel Anant Sinha, Administrator of The Asiatic Society welcomed the august gathering. In 2010, the Chhau dance was inscribed in the UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Keynote address was delivered by Dr. Sk Makbul Islam, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Bengali, St, Paul’s College, Kolkata in the form of Lecture cum Demonstration on Folk Music of Jungal Mahal .
Lecture demonstration on “Folk music of Jungal Mahal of West Bengal” directed
& conducted by Dr. Swapan Mukhopadhyay, former Professor,Department of Folklore, Kalyani University. Dr. Mukhopadhyay explained folk traditions of Jungal Mahal area , an area spread with rich indigenous cultural traditions and heritage which are over thousand years old.
He spoke on essence of several folk traditions, including Radha-Ashtami:
He spoke on essence of several folk traditions, including Radha-Ashtami:
Celebrating the worship of Radha and holy COW, Tusu Gaan: Vibrant songs associated
with harvest festival, Bhakta/Gajoner Gaan: Spiritual melodies devoted to Lord Shiva’,
performed through rural rites and rituals, Bihaar/Biyer Gaan: ‘Traditional marriage songs
cherished by tribal communities throughout the year and Jawa Karamer Gaan, which
celebrates harvest festivals. Light was also shaded on the Manasa Mangal narratives,
which honour the snake goddess on the last day (Sankranti) of Shravan, and the
enchanting Ahira Geet, sung by cowherds to invoke blessings for agricultural prosperity
He elaborated on Bhadu Gaan, celebrated in the month of Bhadra in honour of
Bhadravati, and the popular Jhumur Gaan, a harmonious blend of song, dance, and
music that resonates among tribal groups across Bankura, Purulia, Paschim Medinipur.
Jhargram, Birbhum, Paschim Burdwan, and even the Sundarbans in South 24 Parganas, tribals inhabited areas of Odisha , Jharkhand .
An enthralling ‘”Chhau Dance’ performance, on theme “Asura Binasini”, symbolizing thc power and resilience of women (Nari Shakti) by tribal artists from remote villages mesmerized the audience. In effort to promote more public engagement with the society especially young generation of students and to encourage them to know about rich cultural heritage of Bharat , Asiatic Society is going to organise innovative programs in time ahead as briefed by Administrator Anant Sinha to the media in sidelines of the program.
Shri Arupratan Bagchi Administrative Officer of The Asiatic Society thanked the artists, scholars, and guest.
