BENGALI MUSIC
Music West Bengal is renowned for its rich art and culture as well as the intellectual aura of its people. The richness of Bengali culture also reflects in the music of the state. Music, more than being an art, is a passion for Bengalis. More than a millennium old, Bengali music has become diverse with so many varieties within. The variety is such that once you get familiar with it, you will not need to look beyond it. From classical to rock, folk to devotional, you will get almost every possible music form in Bangla Sangeet. Then, there is the display of a wide range of emotions - be it love, sadness, anxiety, motivation, devotion or spirituality.
Classical Bangla music
Classical Bangla music, like the classical music forms of India, is basically sculptured on the musical nodes called ragas. The traditional Bangla music is based either directly on the Bengali classical or some of its variation. Many of the ragas that are native to the classical Bangla music
Rabindra Sangeet
Another popular form of Bengali music is the Rabindra Sangeet, developed by Nobel Laureate 'Rabindra Nath Tagore'. This music form is more popular amongst the educated group of people.
Nazrul Geeti
Nazrul Geeti is the form of music developed by the great revolutionary poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. The music is highly motivational and revolutionary in nature and was used popularly during the freedom struggle. Though, unlike Rabindra Sangeet, this music wasn't used commercially, due to its revolutionary notions, it enjoyed great popularity. The music is a highly motivational, with strong and powerful words and catchy tunes.
Baul Sangeet
Bengali music is one of the richest music forms in the world. The variety, colorfulness, vibrancy and aura that it offers are impossible to be found in any other kind of music. Amongst the various genres of Bengali music, Baul Sangeet has always held a special place. It is basically a folk dialect of Bengali music, which has its own raw and mystic charm. It was developed by a group of mystic minstrels from Bengal, considered to be a syncretic group with music in their blood. Baul community completely depends upon their music for their livelihood.
The lyrics of Baul music are highly philosophical and intellectual. In their songs, God is not referred to by the names given to Him by various religious sects. Rather, Bauls celebrate music as their celestial love for almighty. The music is more of an inspirational kind, which urges you to find God within you instead of searching him in temples, mosques and churches. Bauls use simple wooden instruments, like a single stringed 'Ektara' or multi-stringed 'Dotara', for making music. The other musical instruments they use include a small earthen drum - called 'Dugi', two cymbals - called 'Dhol and Khol', two small percussion instruments - called "Kartal" and "Mandira" .
Baul Music is a highly spiritual in nature, but far away from religious dilution. This genre presents a very different approach to music, with a lot of dedication and selflessness in the art. It is comparable to the Sufi sangeet, where music is considered to be the medium of interaction with almighty. Listeners also compare it to the modern western folk music, like the music of Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen. The beauty of Baul sangeet lies in the devotion of the Baul people towards this art, which they consider as the inspiration of their life. You can listen to Baul music in the Kenduli Mela, organized during Makar Sankranti, in Birbhum district of West Bengal.
Bhatiyali sangeet
Bhatiyali sangeet is another folk dialect of Bengali music. This folk music is far away from religious and sectarian bias. Said to be created by the boatmen, it has a natural, undiluted and raw flair. The songs consist of wonderful tunes, with highly philosophical lyrics.
Shyama sangeet
Shyama sangeet belongs to the devotional genre of Bengali Music. It is basically dedicated to Maa Kali, the goddess of power, also known as 'Shyama'. This form of music developed during the 12th-13th century, when 'Shaktism' gained hold in Bengal. This music describes the form of love between deity and devotee as the sublime love of mother and her child.
Adhunik sangeet
Adhunik sangeet includes the exhaustive list of the different kinds of music developed in West Bengal, in the post independence era. The westernization and influence of movie-culture have given rise to a contemporary form of music in the state, which aims to cater the youth. Bengali pop and rock, along with Bengali film music, has also gained considerable popularity.
