Folk Songs of Chattisgarh
- The rich cultural heritage of Chhattisgarh is reflected in its music, dance, drama, art, architecture and craft etc.
- Chhattisgarh Folk Songs occupy a distinguished place in the culture of the state.
- Many schedule tribes/caste like Gond, Kamar, Kanver, Korva, Birhi, Baiga, Halba, Pando, Uranv, Binjhwar live in Chhattisgarh state in various districts. While celebrating various festivals and marriages ceremonies these tribes also perform dance, drama and music with singing and druming.
- The folk songs of Chhattisgarh represent the social, cultural, and religious way of life of the simple village people.
- The festivals which are celebrated by the people of Chhattisgarh include Navakhani, Hareli, Ganga Dushhara, Sarhul Chherka, Dipawali, Karma, Kartika and Dushara.
- Some of the regional folk songs are given in below table.
| Purpose of Folk Songs of Chattisgarh | Name of Folk Songs of Chattisgarh |
| Entertainment Folk Songs of Chattisgarh | Dewar songs, Karma songs and Danda |
| Playing Song of Child | Kau-Mau, Loriya, Fugdi, Chau-Mau, Dandi Pouha, Khuduwa (Kakdi). |
| Song for Children | Loriya, |
| Festival Folk Songs of Chattisgarh | Sua songs (Dipawali), Dohe of Rout Nacha (Dipawali), Cher-Chera songs (to welcome new crops, child songs). |
| Seasonal Folk Songs of Chattisgarh | Baramasi (12 months), Sawnahi (in rainy seasons) and Fag (Basant Geet). |
| Other Songs of various regional specific | Janvara songs, Dhankul songs, Goura songs, songs of Nagpanchami, Mata Seva songs, Bhojali songs |
Different type of Folk Songs of Chattisgarh
Sohar Folk Song
- Sohar songs are sung after the birth of a child, particularly the birth of a son.
- It is very common feature of Indian Society that the birth of a son is celebrated with a lot of splendor and magnificence.
- The songs are by and large sung by women and are accompanied by dholak (a drum with two heads) and manji (hand-cymbals).
- The Sohar songs are of joyful and celebrating note, and same time congratulating the parents of the newly born child.
- Sohar songs are rituals and traditions in themselves, with admiration toward God, celebration for the birth of a baby boy who will carry forward the patrilineal line. But at same times they deal with the misery of a mother during pregnancy and child-birth.
- The popular Sohar songs are Mili Juli Gaave, Nand Ke Janme, Bahuji Ke Petwa Mein Peera, Ganga Maiya Ki Oonchi, Janme Gokul Mein etc
Bihav Folk Song
- Bihav songs are mainly marriage songs and are sung during marriage celebrations.
- As marriage in chattisgarh like of oter state goes on several days and these songs are sung on different days during the different type rituals and practices.
- The themes of the songs are also generally interconnected to marriage.
- Bihav songs can be principally divided into Maymouri, Chulmati, Telmati, Parghani, Bhadoni, Nahdouri etc.
- There are some other songs which are linked with Vidai, Bhanver, and Dowery.
- Marriages are linked with many traditions and rituals and there are different songs for each ritual and tradition.
- These songs add to the enthusiasm of the marriage ceremony and rituals.
- The cultural, religious and social customs of the society and culture are the major themes of the songs.
Sua Folk Song
- Sua Songs are very famous in the Bilaspur and Dantewada districts of Chhattisgarh.
- Sua Song preserves the traditional, customary faith and philosophies of the life of some the communities living in this region.
- These songs go along with the sua dance
- This is a folk genus and is still kept alive by the rural people of Chattisgarh.
- The sua songs are an essential and integral part of the festivals and celebrations in the rural parts of the various regions of Chattisgarh.
- The performances of Sua style of song and Sua style of dance are the special attraction of the celebration of Diwali in Dantewada the district of Chattisgarh.
- The colorful and unique dresses of the sua artists make the performances appear more eye-catching.
- The sua songs are usually very rhythmic and are accompanied by various musical instruments typical to the rural areas of Chhattisgarh.
- Sua form of song celebrates the community way of life in the interiors of the Chattisgarh.
Goura Folk Song
- Goura song represents the religious fervor of Folk Songs of Chattisgarh.
- Goura Songs are sung in pay tribute to of Gods and Goddesses of the chattisgarh region.
- Goura songs reflect the rich cultural heritage and historical heritage of the region.
- Goura songs are one such folk devotional songs of the state of Chhattisgarh that casts a supernatural and magical spell on the spectators with their charming melodies.
- Gaura song is an integral part of the Folk Songs of Chattisgarh.
- Goura songs are sung to conciliate Lord Shiva and his divine companion Goddess Durga.
- An important form of the devotional folk songs of the region, Goura songs represent the rich artistic competence and innovative imagination, thinking of the singers.
- The singers of Gouda songs sing with complete devotion to the divine entity.
- Sung with full eagerness and devotion during the festive occasion of Diwali in praise of Lord Shiva and Goddess Durga.
- Goura songs impart an aesthetic appeal and fill the air with fondness, pleasure and entertainment.
Khuduwa Folk Song
- It is one of the famous Folk Songs of Chattisgarh of the region, Khuduwa bears a feel of parental fondness and kindness.
- An integral part of the varied cultural heritage of Chhattisgarh, the traditional folk song of Khuduwa has remained unaffected and untouched by the rapid industrialization, development and modernization.
- Composed of delightful melodies and simple yet meaningful words, the traditional folk song of Khuduwa plays a significant role in the balanced personality development of the child.
- Full of love and care, the beautiful melodious songs of Khuduwa forms a strong impression on the tender minds and hearts of the small children.
- This song is an effective way of expressing the parental love through music, and it displays the unselfish love of the parent towards their children.
- The traditional folk Khuduwa songs form an essential part of the social and cultural life of the indigenous and primitive tribal population of various regions Chhattisgarh.
- Usually sung by the mothers to placate the naughtiness of their children, the melodious songs of Khuduwa portrays the devastating love of the mother for her children.
- A Khuduwa song does not need professional or capable singers but the tender demonstrative touch of the parental concern.
- A veritable part of childhood of each and every individual, the traditional folk songs of Khuduwa reminds one of the innocent childhood days.
- The enchanting melodious Khuduwa folk song form a strong bond of love and respect between the child and the parents and helps to strengthen the mental stability of the child .
Pathoni Folk Song
- Amongst the various forms of music predominant in Chhattisgarh, the Pathoni songs are very famous.
- The music of Chhattisgarh is generally interspersed with traces of traditional tribal culture.
- They are generally sung in the native dialects and are a part of every festival and celebration that occurs in the state.
- Pathoni song is an integral part of Bhilai’s quintessential culture. The city has its unique culture that is widely appreciated all across the world.
- The songs are highly emotional and sung during gauna, an auspicious occasion that bids adieu to a newly wed bride.
- As a bride, resplendent in her marital red leaves her parent’s home for the last time, her crestfallen and tear struck parents and family members bid her farewell with heartfelt good wishes and blessings for a happy and contented future.
- It is indeed heartwarming to watch the music being performed amidst plenty of color, vivacity and emotional outpourings during the marriage ceremony.
Danda Folk Song
- Popularly known as the songs of cheerfulness, the traditional folk Danda songs fill the air with music, enjoyment and amusement.
- Danda songs are one such classic example of the customary folk culture and an significant part of the Folk Songs of Chattisgarh
- Danda Song Composed of simple and poetic expressions and enchanting melodies.
- The stunning folk Danda songs spread happiness and joy.
- The traditional folk songs of Danda are a break from the otherwise boring and unexciting life.
- The singers of Danda songs perform with full eagerness and energy which relieves the spectators from the strains and tension of daily life.
- The melodious Danda songs form a part of the rich musical heritage of Chhattisgarh. Known for its enthusiasm and eagerness, Danda songs are a major source of entertainment of the citizens of Chhattisgarh.
Faag Folk Song
- Chhattisgarh, the epicenter of tribal culture is a state whose very name is synonymous with the diverse tribal legacy.
- The clans of Chhattisgarh are undoubtedly industrious. Yet they love a bit of fun and frolic to spice up their routine lives.
- Thus music plays a key role in Chhattisgarh culture and the months of spring are a much awaited season when the exuberant Faag songs are sung.
- Spring marks the beginning of the I Indian calender and brings with it a refreshing whiff of fresh air and a new lease of life with new hopes and promises.
- Holi, one of India’s traditional festivals is also celebrated during this season.
- A mythological festival, Holi celebrations involve the burning of the effigies of Holika and then the people rejoice and splash about with a variety of colors.
- In Chhattisgarh, Holi celebrations remain incomplete without a bout of the cheerful Faag song that when sung exude an aura of new promises and assurances.
- The cheerful songs bring in the mood of celebration and festive gaiety. As the people dapple about in fresh colors cheerful songs are sung.
- The Faag songs sung during Vasant Purnima or spring create and atmosphere of general goodwill and ensures that people look forward to a brand new year full of brand new surprises.
Sawnahi Folk Song
- Sawnahi is one of the popular genres of folk songs in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh.
- The Sawnahi songs are sung during the rainy and wet season.
- The music and the lyrics of the Sawnahi songs generally celebrate the rains.
- This tribal seasonal song is well related to the natural life and culture.
- The lyrics here put in the picture of the different natural changes that take place with the beginning of the first rain of the year.
- The natural elements, trees, flowers, etc are essential part of the lyrics of the Sawnahi song of rains. The tunes are generally very relaxing and harmonious.
- They tune of the Sawnahi reflect the rhythm of everyday life and the moods of the people in the tribal villages in the state of Chhattisgarh during the rainy season.
- According to the ancient popular philosophy of ancient India, the monsoons are considered to be the season of love, so the songs of the Sawnahi genre also celebrate love.
- The colorful love songs reflect the imaginations and fantasies of a young tribal mind and their culture.
- The Sawnahi songs with the theme of love are among the most popular and the most beautiful in this genre..
Cher Chera Folk Songs
- The Cher-Chera is a form of folk song popular in the rural parts and related to rural life of Chhattisgarh.
- The performances of cher-chera songs and dances are a way of social interaction.
- There are different genres of songs for every festival and occasion in this region.
- These folk songs of Chhattisgarh are sung with much eagerness and merriment to celebrate the various religious and cultural occasions.
- The Cher- Chera songs are a way of style that celebrates the growth of crops.
- The music and word speaks of the lives of the tribal people living here. In these melodious songs one will get to learn about the conventional way of life in the tribal communities and their culture.
- The Cher- Chera will inform about the hurdles and hardships of living in this region. But these songs celebrate the occasions that bring little happiness in the lives of the tribal people.
- The Cher- Chera is one of those popular Folk Songs of Chattisgarh that are still performed in the villages of the state and it keeps the age-old oral traditionand culture of the tribal communities living.
Dohe Folk Songs
- The different forms of Dohe are very the popular culture in some of the parts of Chhattisgarh.
- This is a style of folk song still preserved by some of the tribal communities.
- This genre is a wonderful reflection of the philosophy, faith, culture and tradition of some of the tribal communities.
- Dantewada district is famous for the Dohes that are sung here during the festivals.
- Dohe is the folk song specially sung during the celebration of Diwali.
- It accompanies the Raut Nacha that is an important part of the Diwali celebrations.
- The Raut Nacha is the dance of the cowherds. It is thus connected to the everyday lives of the rural people of this place. .
- Dohe is one of the most popular and rhythmic Folk Songs of Chattisgarh.
Dewar Folk Songs
- The customary Dewar songs are one of such magnificent relic of the rich cultural life of ancient times.
- Dewar songs are songs of cheerfulness, happiness and gladness.
- Representing the vibrant and dynamic tribal culture, the melodious Dewar songs refreshes and re energizes the mind and soul of the indigenous population.
- The traditional folk Dewar songs do not need any special occasion, but they can be sung at any time to dispel the boredom from the otherwise dull and boring mundane life.
- It accompanied by folk musical instruments.
- The enthralling and musical Dewar songs fill the air with music and joy.
- An integral part of the cultural and social life of the indigenous population of Chhattisgarh, the traditional folk Dewar songs adds to the effervescence and eagerness in one’s life.
Other Songs
Bhojali, Janvara songs, Dhankul, Loriya, Fugdi, Kau Mau, Chau Mau are also famous in the Chattisgarh State.
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