Folk Song

• Songs have a prominent place in the folk literature of Bihar.
• Apart from the songs sung onvarious occasions, songs based on various themes also come under the category of folk songs.
• All these songs are related to folk culture. In these songs, not only the verses, but also the scale, tone and rhythm are important.
• Rajashah is the author of a music book named ‘Naghmat Asfi’.

Popular Folk Songs in Bihar

• Sanskar Geet: Sanskar songs sung on the birth anniversary of boys and girls, Mundan, Patti Pujan, Janeu and marriage etc. are the main examples of this.
• Seasonal Songs: There is a practice of singing different songs according to the weather or seasons in Bihar. Songs relating to different seasons like Fagua or Holi, Chaita, Kajali, Hindola, Chaturmasa, Barhamasa etc. come under this.
• Parvgeet: Manglik songs sung on special festivals in the state are called ‘Parvgeet’. The songs sung on Holi, Diwali, Chhath, Teej, Jiutiya, Bahura, Peediya, Ram Navami, Janmashtami and other auspicious occasions have a great similarity mainly in words, rhythm and songs.
• Pesha Geet: The songs that come under this category are related to various activity, profession or employment. Like- Ropni-Sohni, Janta- Paisai, Hawai songs while shedding thatch, etc.
• Gatha Geet: These songs are based on various folk songs prevalent in the state. It is classified into the following categories-

1. Lorikayan: This is a folk tale full of heroic essence. Mainly it is sung by Ahir (Yadav) people. This saga describes Lorik’s sons, nephews and grandson Indal. People of Maithili, Bhojpuri and Magahi region sing and listen to this saga in different ways.
2. Nayaka Banjara: In this saga, Shobhanayaka the son of a merchant, is the main character. It describes the love affair, separation etc. of the hero and his wife.
3. Vijayamal: The Vijayamal song mentions the bravery of King Vijayamal. He is the son of King Dhurmal Singh of Dhundhuniya. Vijaymal goes to Bawangarh to get married. There he is taken prisoner along with the baraatis. Singhal Bagheda somehow brings Vijaymal back home on his back. When Vijaymal grows up, he attacks Bawangarh in revenge. In this, by showing indomitable bravery, he frees his father and the baraatis, who were imprisoned for a long time, and returns home with his wife. This song is sung in most areas of the state.
4. Salhes: This folk song is sung in praise of the hero-heroine of the folk tale. The song describes the saga of the rescue of Salhes by Dauna Malin. Out of jealousy, one of his rivals got Salhes imprisoned on a false allegation of theft. This folk song is based on how Dauna Malin courageously freed her lover Salhes.
5. Dina Bhadri: This song is full of compassion and describes the saga of two brave brothers named Dina and Bhadri. According to folklore, its heroes Dina and Bhadri belonged to the Musahar caste.
6. Nunachara: This ballad song is especially popular in Mithila region. There is predominance of Veer Ras and Karun Ras in it. This saga is related to King Karna. This saga is similar to Chhatri Chauhan of Magahi region and the saga named ‘Dhudhli-Ghatma’ of Angika region.
7. Meerayan: The hero of this ballad is a young man named Meera. A person named Harful of Dihri Nagar was killed along with his sons in the battle of Nunjagarh. After his death, his son Meera, avenged his death by conquering Nunjagarh at a young age.
8. Amar Singh Bariya: This ballad song is full of heroic rasa. Amar Singh Baria was a brave man. He defeated Upmar, a tyrannical king of Tirhut. It is said that he was the supreme worshiper of Kamla and by the grace of Kamla river, he was victorious.
9. Dhudhali-Ghatma: This ballad is especially popular in Angika region. Dhudhali, the hero of this saga, avenges the death of his father Raya Ranpal by killing all the seven brothers including his maternal uncle Ghatma. This ballad song is famous as Dhudhli-Batedian in Champaran district and Rai-Ranpal in Darbhanga district.
10. Raja Harichan Geet: This ballad song is related to Raja Harichan. King Harichan (Harishchandra) was a great ascetic. The whole Indralok was horrified by his penance, then Indra sent Vishwamitra with the aim of misleading King Harichan.
11. Chhatri Chauhan Geet: This ballad song is especially popular in the Magadh region. In this saga, Chhatri Chauhan avenges his father’s death from his tyrannical maternal uncle.
12. Kunwar Brijbhar: This ballad song is also known as Sorathi Brijbhar. This ballad song is very touching and exciting. Apart from Bihar, it is also prevalent in other states. It is notable that there is a clear influence of Nathpanthis on this saga.

• Caste related songs: Different castes living in the society sing their favorite songs, which are called caste songs. Different castes – Ahirs, Dusadhs, Chamars, Kahars, Dhobis etc. have their own separate songs. Such songs are rarely found.
• Bhajan or Shruti Geet: Under this, songs related to Nirgun, Sheetla Mata, songs of village deities and other worship-lessons are sung.
• Children’s Sports Songs: These songs are usually sung while children are playing. Under this comes Oka-Boka Teen-Tadoka’, Kabaddi, Pahad Ke Geet etc.
• Specific songs: Songs of victims, songs of asking for water, etc. come under this. In addition to the above folk songs, there is a trend of singing songs of gods and goddesses such as Jhumar, Jhula ke Geet, Birha, Joga, Sanjhaparani, Prathik, Nirgun etc. in Bihar.

Prominent Folk Singer of Bihar

In Bihar, Padma Shri Sharda Sinha, Dr. Shankar Prasad, Motilal ‘Manjul”, Vidhyavasini Devi, Nand Kishore Prasad, Kamla Devi, Kesari Nandan Bhagat, Kumud Akhori, Grace Kujur, Vishnu Prasad Sinha, Braj Kishore Dubey, Bharat Singh Bharti, Santraj Singh Ragesh, Yogendra Singh Albela, Ajit Kumar ‘Akela’. Bharat Sharma Vyas’, Shambhuram, Kavita Chowdhary, Umakant ‘Kamal’. Lalita Jha, Urvashi, Renuka Sahay, Manoj Tiwari ‘Mridul. Pawan Singh, Kalpana, Arvind Pandey ‘Kallu’, Khesari Lal Yadav, Rakesh Mishra, Kamalbas ‘Kunwar’ Gayatri Thakur, Vinay Bihari, Vijendra Giri and Anu Dubey etc. are well known and acclaimed folk singers.