The Music and Dance of Bangladesh

The Music and Dance of Bangladesh

The traditional music in Bangladesh shares the perspectives of that of the Indian
subcontinent. Music in Bangladesh can be divided into three distinct categoriesclassical, folk and modern. The classical music, both vocal and instrumental is
rooted in the remote past of the sub-continent.
Bangla music arena is enriched with Jari, Shari, Bhatiali, Murshidi and other types of
folk songs. Rabindra Sangeet and Nazrul Sangeet are Bengalis precious heritage.
Modern music is also practiced widely. Contemporary patterns have more
inclinations to west. Pop song and band groups are also coming up mainly in Dhaka
(capital city).
Bangladesh has a good number of musical instruments originally of her own.
Originally country musical instruments include, Banshi (bamboo flute), Dhole
(wooden drums), Ektara (a single stringed instrument), Dotara (a four stringed
instrument), Mandira (a pair of metal bawls used as rhythm instrument), Khanjani,
and Sharinda etc. Now-a-days western instruments such as Guitar, Drums,
Saxophone, and Synthesizer are being used alongside country instruments.
Classical forms of the sub-continent predominate in Bangladeshi dance. The folk,
tribal and Middle Eastern traits are also common. The folk dances in Bangladesh are
classified into two main groups (1) the ritual- ceremonial and (2) social dance.
The ritual-ceremonial folk dances associate mostly with seasonal customs such as
harvesting and religious rites connected mostly with folk belief. The folk dances of
the village also project a performance of certain medicine men or ojha whose dance
magic is a part of curing sick persons and ensuring the fertility of the married girls.
Temple dance by the Hindus are essentially ritualistic. Some of the ritualistic and
ceremonial dances are Kirtana, Baul Brata, Jari, Shari (Jari and Shari are presented
with both male and female performers) and tribal dance Among the tribal dances,
particularly popular are Monipuri, Santal and Jhumur.
Social dance is originated from religion. Lathi dance or Stick dance, Boat dance,
Jatra dance, Baul, Murshidi, Marrige dance and Dhali dance are social in nature. A
number of social folk dances have established themselves as a stage dance or have
provided the basis of such dances in Bangladesh. In certain areas of Bangladesh
handkerchief dance and mask dance like Chhau dance of Purulia, West Bengal are
also prevalent.
Lathi, Stick and Dhali dance: Dancers carry a dhal or shield made of cane in one
hand and a stick in the other. The Jari song is generally...