Bangladeshi Folk Music

Bangladeshi Folk Music

Many Bangladeshi rural songs are so poetically and musically sophisticated that they transcend the folk category. For example, Kirtan songs, such as composed by the Vaishnava saint Sri Krishna Caitaza (Chaitaza), Many  Bangladeshi folk songs are associated with particular social occasions or occupations. These include cradle songs; satires performed at weddings, seasonal songs, melodies to accompany harvesting, house construction, and boat racing and the songs of snake charmers.During the twentieth century, music from around the world affected traditional forms of Bangladeshi music and influenced the development of new forms. By the 1960s Bangladeshi instrumental ensembles included such nontraditional instruments as saxophones and Hawaiian-style guitars. Electric guitars became popular, and commercial recordings and films included electronically modulated music.
By the twenty-first century, simple harmonization often accompanied song melodies, especially in film songs and urban versions of folksongs. However, pure melody continues to be the main component of Bangladeshi musical expression. The melodies of Bangladeshi folksongs, especially Baul, bhatiyali, and bhaowaiya songs, remain sources of inspiration for classical compositions and popular songs.
Folk songs are important asset of our country. They represent and reflect the rich tradition of our individual parts of the country. At present western music and culture have made our traditional songs threatened. At as cost we must retain our rich cultural heritage.