Welcome to West Bengal I & C A Dept. Portal
Astak is one of the various folk songs found in the districts of North and South 24 Parganas, Nadia and Murshidabad districts of West Bengal. Astak is performed on the last day of the Bengali year, Chaitra Sankranti on the occasion of Neeler Gajon. Though Astak song is performed in a group of twelve, the song starts as a solo and the rest follow the lead singer. The theme of the songs are mainly mythological like that of Radha Krishna and Lord Shiva. These songsf the most remarkable features of these fairs is dancing of snakes by the snake charmers. The snake charmers sing while enchanting the snakes. These songs are known as 'Jhapan Gaan'.
Alkap is one of the most popular folk drama found in the Murshidabad, Malda and Birbhum districts of West Bengal. Alkap is a satire based folk drama where both the Hindus and the Muslims participate. It is a comedy through which various events and aspects of the society are presented in a theatrical form where the 'pala' is not available in written form. The artiste of this opera collect matter for their drama from their daily life. They are natural actors, singers and composers and are capable of extempore composition. An Alkap team is of fifteen members consisting of a master, comedians or 'Sangdar', one or two male dancers dressed as females known as 'Chhokra' and musicians. The musical instruments used are harmonium, flute and tabla. Now women are also participating as female characters in the drama. Alkap is a medium of social protest through wit and humour.
The word Bahurupi is derived from 'Bahurup,'which signifies multiforms. The Bahurupi are the wandering folk performers who can portray themselves in different characters mostly mythological like Krishna, Shiva, Kali etc. They are capable of assuming various types of disguises.This particular art form did not arise from any religious beliefs. They are completely secular in nature and had arisen from the hunger of the general low caste, poverty stricken backward classes of agrarian society. Bahurupi are mostly found in Birbhum, Bardhaman and Murshidabad districts of West Bengal. Two to three members are needed for the performance of Bahurupi.
Bhanr Jatra is a traditional folk drama though mostly popular in Purba Medinipur district of West Bengal but this folk form is also found in the districts of Hooghly, Nadia and Howrah. The word Bhanr denotes jokers or jestures. Two men one of them dressed up like men and the other like female jesturer places different political and social issues through satire and humour. Bhanr jatra is performed in a team of eight to ten members. Both the Hindus and the Muslims participate in this folk from.The Bhanr paints their face with black colour and sometimes uses white colours as stripes on their black painted faces. Musical instruments used are cornete, clarinete, banshee, jhumka, small dhol.Now harmonium and tabla are also used in the play.
Bishahara is one of the most traditional song based folk dramas performed throughout the rainy seasons of Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar, Alipurduar districts of North Bengal. This folk drama is based on the story of Behula and Lakhindar from Manasha Mangal. This is performed in praise of Debi Manasha in a team of twelve to fifteen members. In the play we find both ritualistic and non ritualistic elements. The main protagonist of the play is the 'Geedal' or the director also known as Sutradhar who sings the entire pala , one Doyari who assists the Geedal to carry on the play and sometimes gives the audience comic relief. There are other singers and dancers as well. Bishahara is completely based on oral tradition passed on from one generation to the other. Bishahara is also known as Padmapuran or Bhashan Gaan as well. The musical instruments used are Mukhabanshi and Dotara.
Bolan is a folk drama popular in the rural regions of Bardhaman, Birbhum, Nadia and Purulia districts of West Bengal. Bolan is performed during Hindu Gajon Utsav or festival where Lord Shiva is worshipped. Bolan is mainly the ceremony of the subaltern people.It is an artistic as well as musical expression of the life of the common people.Themes of the drama are taken from the day to day realities of society where sorrows,happiness, hopes, expectations, grievances, deaths and desires of the rural folks are reflected. The drama is performed in a group of ten to fifteen men accompanied with musical instruments like harmonium, flute, dholak etc. There are usually five types of Bolan- Sashan Bolan, Saontele Bolan, Danr Bolan, Pala Bolan and Rang Panchali Bolan.
Bono Bibi is a regional Goddess who is considered to be the guardian of the forest regions of both South and North 24 Pargana district of West Bengal. Bono Bibir pala is a dramatic performance of the tradition connected with the worship of the Goddess. Pala is a drama which is performed and sung in the praise of the deity to invoke Her blessings for those people of Sundarban region, who for their livelihood and income had to enter the dense forest in the month of March and April to collect woods, honey, wax, shrimps and crabs. They often had to encounter danger and deaths in various forms in the forest. The people of that region believe that the Goddess will protect them from all these dangers and they will return back homesafely from the forest. Bono Bibir pala is usually performed by a group of fifteen people. The musical instruments used are harmonium,who for their livelihood and income had to enter the dense forest in the month of March and April to collect woods, honey, wax, shrimps and crabs. They often had to encounter danger and deaths in various forms in the forest.The people of that region believe that the Goddess will protect them from all these dangers and they will return back home performed by a group of fifteen people. The musical instruments used are harmonium,tabla, banshi and bells.
Chiria-chiriani is a popular folk drama of Jhargram and Dnaton, kathi, Egra regions of Paschim Medinipur. Chiria is a male bird character and Chiriani is a female bird character in the play. This folk drama involves three characters- a young woman, a young man and an old man in the role of 'Aja' (grandfather-like elderly person). The story is after marriage the young man leaves home for twelve years for the purpose of trade and commerce, leaving his new wife at home. As the young couple set out on a journey to meet , Aja starts playing various tricks to confuse them and to stop them from meeting. This is done with humour and fun. Chiria-Chiriani is performed in a team of fourteen to fifteen performers.The actors are local farmers who learnt this folk drama as a form of oral tradition from their elders. It is staged on auspicious occasions like puja, weddings or even big gatherings of families. Instruments used are chang, dhamsa, madol, khanjani and dancing bells(ghungur).
Chor-Chunni is a traditional and popular folk drama of Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling, Uttar and Dakshin Dinajpur of North Bengal This folk form is performed in a group of fifteen members. Chor is a male performer and Chunni which is derived from the word Chorni is a male dressed as a female. Chor means thief and Chunni is his wife. Chor is usually decked up like a joker (Sang) and also wears masks. Rest of the team members wear colourful dresses according to their character. This folk drama starts from the day of Mahalaya and ends on the night of Kali Puja. There is a common belief that if a thief is able to steal the house of a villager on the night of Kali Puja then he can steal throughout the year without any hassle. The villagers therefore remain alert in the night and to keep themselves awake they entertain themselves by Chor-Chunni folk drama. The subject matter of this drama is basically the conversation and quarrel between Chor and his wife Chunni on various issues. The musical instruments used are dhol, harmonium, kartal etc.
Among the many folk deities of forest manifested areas of West Bengal, Dakshin Ray is one of them. Basically He is considered as the God of the tigers. Dakshin Ray is one of the most popular Gods of Sundarban regions. As myth goes, Dakshin Ray is quite handsome with yellow coloured skin, big red eyes and long hairs with a crown placed on His head. On the day of Poush Sankranti which is the end of the Bengali month Poush or in the beginning of the Bengali month of Magh, puja of Dakshin Ray is performed throughout the regions of Sundarban. For performing this puja an earthen pot is used to symbolise Dakshin Ray. The inhabitants of Sundarban for their living and livelihood have to depend on forests and rivers to collect woods, wax, honey, shrimps, prawns and crabs from the dense forests and rivers. Before going to the forest they perform the puja of Dakshin Ray since they believe that He will save them from the tigers in the forest and the reptiles in the river. The musical drama based on the story of Dakshin Ray is known as Dakshin Rayer Pala and the songs sung in the Pala are known as Pala Gaan. It is performed in a team of fifteen members. Musical instruments used are harmonium, tabla and bells.
Domni is one of the most popular dance, song and dialogue based folk dramas of Malda, performed by a group of fifteen and accompanied with musical instruments like harmonium, flute, dhol and dancing bells. Domni is performed by the people of both communities- the Hindus and the Muslims. On the Northern and Western boundaries of Malda is Purnia district and Santhal Parganas of Bihar. Due to this reason we find a sort of mixed culture in a portion under Manikchak, Ratua and Harishchandrapur Police Station . The result of this assimilated culture is Domni. The subject matter of Domni is usually the activities that happen in our day to day life, like social, cultural and political events. The Domni team consists of eight to ten members. Like Alkap we find the character of 'Chhokra' who performs the role of a woman.
Dotra Pala is one of the most popular traditional forms of folk drama of the Rajbanshi community of Cooch Behar district in North Bengal. This folk drama is completely based on songs and dances. Stories from Mangal Kabya,folk tales and sometimes even imaginative stories are performed in Dotra Pala. The palas are transmitted orally from one generation to the other.The plays starts with a chorus song accompanied by music. The main performers are the Geedal who is the main singer and the Dohars who repeat the line of the songs of the Geedal.The prime musical instrument of Dotra Pala is dotra which remains in the the hands of the Geedal.From this musical instrument the name of this folk form Dotra have originated. The other musical instruments used are dhol, khol, dholak, harmonium and banshi. Dotra is performed solely as a source of entertainment for the general people. It is performed in a group of ten to fifteen.
Gajan is one of the distinctive festivals of rural Bengal. It is popular in the districts of Bardhaman, Birbhum, Bankura, Purulia, Medinipur and Howrah, South and North 24 Parganas of West Bengal. We find celebrations of Shiber Gajan, Dharma Thakurer Gajon and Neeler Gajan. Gajan is a pre harvest festival and its main objective is to bring back fertility to the soil and this gets reflected in all ritualistic rites. Gajon is a festival of the Hindus and both men and women can participate. Shiber Gajan starts from the end week of the Bengali month of Chaitra and ends on the day of Chaitra Sankranti. It ends with Charak puja. Nil puja is also performed on Chaitra Sankranti. Gajon festival of Dharma Thakur is celebrated in the Bengali months of Baishakh, Jaisthyo and Ashar. The songs which are sung related to the celebration of Gajan festival are known as Gajan Gaan. The subject matter of the songs are about Lord Shiva, Dharma Thakur. The participants of this Puja are known as Sanyasis. A group of ten to fifteen members perform Gajan Pala. Some regions wear masks and in some regions they paint their faces and wear costumes of Shiv, Parvati, Nandi, Bhringi and of Demons.vMusical instruments used are dhak,dhol and kansar.
Gambira is a traditional folk drama performed on the occasion of Gajon Charak festival of Chaitra Sankranti ( the last day of the Bengali month Chaitra) in rural Bengal. Gambhira is mostly found in the districts of Malda and some areas of Uttar and Dakshin Dinajpur of North Bengal. Through Gambhira the general mass expresses their grievances, sorrows, poverty and distress to Lord Shiva with wit and fun. They address Lord Shiva as 'Nana Or 'Nana he'. A team of fifteen members are needed for the performance. Gambhira does not indulge in pathos. It is a medium of expressing social protest through intense sarcasm and satire along with humour. The plays are not available in written form. Gambhira is completely performed by men but at present women are also participating. Musical instruments used in Gambira are harmonium, dhol, kansar, clarionet and sometimes dancing bells.
'Halua-Haluan' is a popular folk drama of the Rajbanshis of Dakshin Dinajpur district of North Bengal. 'Halua 'refers to the farmer or the cultivator and 'Haluani' is his wife. The story revolves around the farmer and his wife. They both wear a wooden mask of a cow and perform this folk drama in a team of fourteen to fifteen members. The theme of the play is a farmer who is ploughing the field and he is hungry and thirsty. But his wife was delayed in bringing the lunch to the field. When the farmer saw his wife coming he hid in a place and started frightening his wife through various humorous incidents. After harvest the cultivators of rural areas perform this folk drama Halua-Haluani for recreation. Musical instruments used are harmonium, dugi-tabla, kartal and flute.
Khan is a traditional satirical folk drama of the Rajbanshis of Uttar and Dakshin Dinajpur districts extending from Kushmandi, Banshihari to Gangarampur and Harirampur of North Bengal. The term is believed to have derived from 'khanda' meaning events. The subject matter of Khan is usually the various events that happen in the village community throughout the year. From the Bengali month of Kartick to Chaitra after the harvest, the cultivators enjoy a period of long leisure. In this leisure perod Khan is performed in a team of fourteen to fifteen members for recreation. In the play the women characters are performed by men. The instruments used are harmonium, dugi-tabla, kartal and flute.
Kushan is a mythology based school of folk drama mostly popular in Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar districts of North Bengal. Kushan is usually performed in pujas and festivals. Traditional Kushan was basically song oriented but later on it developed as a folk drama based on the songs. Kushan palas are a combination of songs, dances and dialogues. There is a similarity between Kushan and Ramayan gaan. Lab and Kush ,the sons of Lord Ram of Ramayan, learnt songs from Rishi Balmiki. It is believed that Kushan gaan is named after Kush. A team of fifteen members are needed for the performance. 'Byana' is an indispensable musical instrument in this folk drama.
Leto is a popular folk drama mostly found in the districts of Purba and Paschim Bardhaman, Murshidabad and some places of Hooghly in West Bengal. In Leto both men and women participate and perform the play in a team of fifteen members. The subject matter of Leto is mainly social, economic, political and daily activities performed through comedy and humour. The participants are the farmers and agriculturalists who in their leisure after the harvest for recreation perform Leto. The plays of Leto are not written. The artiste have great excellence in composing extempore dialogues on contemporary issues. The instruments used are harmonium, tabla, dhol, flute etc .
Puppetry is one of the most traditional form of folk dance-drama. The puppets are decorated according to the character of the play. The puppets are operated by humans from backstage and the musicians plays music according to the necessity of the scene. In Manab Putul or KathPutli the puppets are humans who decorate themselves and act as puppets throughout the play. This folk form is popular in Malda district of Bengal. In Manab Putul two people dress themselves as a man and a woman and perform with dances and songs. Their movements and gestures are just like wooden dolls and through their dialogues they uphold various contemporary social, political and economic issues. Manab Putul or KathPutli is performed in a team of eight members. The musical instruments used are dhol, synthesiser, khanjani and kartal.
Manasha Devi is known as the Goddess of the snakes. Manasha pala gaan is performed in the praise of this Goddess. It is popular in South and North 24 Parganas, Bankura, Purulia and Birbhum districts of West Bengal. Manasha Pala is based on Manasha Mangal Kabya. Worshipping of Manasha Devi is quite popular in the rural Bengal specially during the rainy seasons one can find both ritualitic and non ritualistic performances related to the deity. In South 24 Parganas every year on the day of Vishwakarma Puja that is 17 September, the households even in remote Sundarban areas worship the snake Goddess and perform pala gaan. Pala Gaan is a musical drama that revolves around the story of Chand Sadagar, his son Lakhindar and wife of Lakhindar Behula. The performances are accompanied with songs known as Pala Gaan performed in a team of fifteen members. The performers are usually agricultural labourers and seasonal migrant workers. Musical instruments used are kartal, synthesiser and ghungur or dancing bells.
Palatia is one of the most popular folk dramas of Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal. The participants are mostly cultivators and farmers who perform Palatia as a source of their recreation. The drama is usually performed in a team of fifteen. Women also participate in this folk form. The episodes are chosen from traditional events as well as from contemporary social affairs. The time period of this folk drama usually extends from six to seven hours. The musical instruments used are harmonium, dhol, ghungur, flute, khol, juri, dugi-tabla and arbanasi.
Putul nach or as known in English as puppet dance, puppetry or puppet theatre is one of the most traditional folk form of folk dance-drama.There are usually four types of puppets-
Among them, string puppet is the oldest form of puppetry. String puppetry troupe consists of fifteen people. Puppets are large figures sculpted from wood and painted in bright colours. They are decorated according to the characters of the play.The puppets are worked with strings which are operated by human fingers from the back stage. The puppet dancing is accompanied by verbal acting and singing.The musical instruments used are harmonium, khol, flute, sarinda and bells. Episodes from The Epics,folk tales etc are usually performed. In West Bengal string puppetry is popular in districts like Nadia, South and North 24 Parganas, Purulia, CoochBehar, Malda, Jalpaiguri, Murshidabad, Hooghly, Bankura, Bardhaman, Birbhum and Medinipur.
Putul nach or as known in English as puppet dance, puppetry or puppet theatre is one of the most traditional folk form of folk dance-drama.There are usually four types of puppets-
Among them, string puppet is the oldest form of puppetry. String puppetry troupe consists of fifteen people. Puppets are large figures sculpted from wood and painted in bright colours. They are decorated according to the characters of the play.The puppets are worked with strings which are operated by human fingers from the back stage. The puppet dancing is accompanied by verbal acting and singing.The musical instruments used are harmonium, khol, flute, sarinda and bells. Episodes from The Epics,folk tales etc are usually performed. In West Bengal string puppetry is popular in districts like Nadia, South and North 24 Parganas, Purulia, CoochBehar, Malda, Jalpaiguri, Murshidabad, Hooghly, Bankura, Bardhaman, Birbhum and Medinipur.
