Music of West Bengal

2025-09-08T17:17:07Z

69.174.136.56: adjusted page further and added references

{{Short description|Overview of musical genres in Indian state of West Bengal}}
{{Indian music}}
{{EngvarB|date=June 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2015}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Original research|date=July 2020}}
{{More footnotes needed|date=July 2020}}
{{More citations needed|date=July 2020}}
}}
[[File:Kirtan.jpg|thumb|right|[[Kirtan]], a Musical speciality of [[West Bengal]]]]
The '''music of [[West Bengal]]''' includes multiple [[Bengali Music|indigenous]] musical genres such as [[Baul]], [[Ramprasadi]], [[Bishnupur Gharana|Bishnupuri Classical]], [[Kirtan]], [[Shyama Sangeet]], [[Rabindra Sangeet]], [[Nazrul Geeti]], [[Dwijendralal Ray|Dwijendrageeti]], [[Prabhat Samgiita]], [[Agamani-Vijaya]], [[Patua Sangeet]], [[Gambhira]], [[Bhatiali]], [[Bhawaiya]], [[Rock music of West Bengal|Bengali Rock]].

== Classical music ==
=== Ragapradhan Gaan ===

Bengali classical music is based on modes called ''[[ragas]]''. In composing these songs, the melodies of ''North Indian ragas'' are used. As far as the ''Charyagiti'' (9th century), ragas have been used in Bengali music. [[Jaydev]]'s ''[[Gita Govinda]]'', ''Padavali Kirtan'', ''Mangal Giti'', ''Shyama sangeet'', ''Tappa'', ''Brahma Sangeet'' and ''Tagore songs'' have been inspired by Ragas. The use of ''North Indian ragas'' in Bangla songs began in 18th century. This trend gathered momentum during the 19th and 20th centuries. The pioneers of these trend were [[Nidhu Babu|Ramnidhi Gupta]] of [[North Kolkata]], [[Kali Mirza]] of [[Hooghly District|Hooghly]], Raghunath Roy and the founder of the [[Bishnupur Gharana]], Pandit Ramshanker Bhattacharya of [[Bankura District|Bankura]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Classical Music of Bengal |url=https://onlineradiobox.com/bd/genre/classic-/ |publisher=www.onlineradiobox.com |access-date=21 January 2019}}</ref> Nawab of Lucknow, [[Wajid Ali Shah]] played an important role in this trend. He was dethroned by the [[British Empire]] in 1856 and banished to Metiaburuz, [[Kolkata]] in present-day [[West Bengal]]. During his 30-year exile, he patronized music, specially [[dhrupad]], [[tappa]], [[thumri]] and [[kheyal]]. And, thus made a lasting impact on Bengali music. All traditional Bengali music tend to be based on various variations of [[Hindustani classical music]]. [[Rabindranath Tagore]] had a deep appreciation for north Indian ragas, successfully introduced ragas in his songs. He was followed by [[Dwijendralal Ray]], [[Rajanikanta Sen]] and [[Atulprasad Sen]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Bangla Classical Music Festival |url=https://bengalclassicalmusicfest.com |publisher=www.banglaclassicalmusicfest.com |access-date=20 January 2019}}</ref>

=== Bishnupur Gharana ===
{{main|Bishnupur Gharana}}
The [[Bishnupur Gharana]] is the sole [[Indian classical music|Classical]] (''[[Drupad]]'') ''[[gharana]]'' of [[Bengal]]. It originated in [[Bishnupur, Bankura]], [[West Bengal]] by the court musicians of the [[History of Bankura district#Bishnupur kingdom|Malla Kings]].<ref name="Kings">{{cite web|url=http://www.westbengaltourism.gov.in/web/guest/bishnupur-culture|title=Culture of Bishnupur|access-date=2011-12-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205193939/http://www.westbengaltourism.gov.in/web/guest/bishnupur-culture|archive-date=5 February 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Bahadur Khan of Delhi, a descendant of the [[Tansen]], was the father of Bishnupur Gharana. Bahadur Khan was brought to Bishnupur by Malla King Raghunath Singha II.

==Rabindra Sangeet==
{{main|Rabindra Sangeet}}
Rabindra Sangeet ({{langx|bn|রবীন্দ্রসঙ্গীত}} ''Robindro shonggit'', {{IPA|bn|ɾobindɾo ʃoŋɡit}}), also known as '''Tagore Songs''', are songs written and composed by [[Rabindranath Tagore]].<ref name="Sigi 2006">{{cite book|last=Sigi|first=Rekha|title=Gurudev Ravindra Nath Tagore A Biography|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZW93OdoQIfIC&pg=PA90|year=2006|publisher=Diamond Pocket Books (P) Ltd.|isbn=978-81-89182-90-8|page=90}}</ref> They have distinctive characteristics in the [[music of Bengal]], popular in India and [[Bangladesh]].<ref name="Tagore 2007">{{cite book|last=Tagore|first=Rabindranath|title=Boyhood Days|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UWhnwlQyplEC&pg=PR12|year=2007|publisher=Penguin Books India|isbn=978-0-14-333021-9|page=xii}}</ref><ref name="Magic of Rabindra Sangeet">{{cite news|title=Magic of Rabindra Sangeet|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/66947/magic-rabindra-sangeet.html|access-date=9 July 2013|newspaper=[[Deccan Herald]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927055956/http://www.deccanherald.com/content/66947/magic-rabindra-sangeet.html|archive-date=27 September 2013|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Rabindra Sangeet has been an integral part of Bengal culture for over a century.<ref name="Magic of Rabindra Sangeet" /><ref name="Dasgupta Guha p252">{{cite book|last1=Dasgupta|first1=Sanjukta|last2=Guha|first2=Chinmoy|title=Tagore-At Home in the World|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8zfX4llLjyUC&pg=PA252|year=2013|publisher=SAGE Publications|isbn=978-81-321-1084-2|page=252}}</ref> Indian social reformer [[Swami Vivekananda]] became an admirer of Rabindra Sangeet in his youth. He also composed music in the Rabindra Sangeet style, for example ''Gaganer Thale'' in [[Raga Jaijaivanti]].<ref name="Magic of Rabindra Sangeet" />

==Shyama Sangeet==
{{main|Shyama Sangeet}}
[[Shyama Sangeet]]({{langx|bn|শ্যামা সঙ্গীত }}) is a genre of [[Bengali language|Bengali]] devotional songs dedicated to the Hindu goddess Shyama or [[Kali]] which is a form of supreme universal mother-goddess Durga or parvati. It is also known as Shaktagiti or Durgastuti.<ref>{{cite book |last=Sayeed |first=Khan Md |year=2012 |chapter=Shyamasangit |chapter-url=https://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Shyamasangit |editor1-last=Islam |editor1-first=Sirajul |editor1-link=Sirajul Islam |editor2-last=Jamal |editor2-first=Ahmed A. |title=Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh |edition=Second |publisher=[[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]]}}</ref>

Generally all music dedicated to goddess Mother Kali is called 'Shyama Sangeet' in Bengali. Two famous singers of this Bengali Shyama Sangeet are [[Pannalal Bhattacharya]] and [[Dhananjay Bhattacharya]]. [[Pannalal Bhattacharya]]'s elder brother Prafulla Bhattacharya and middle brother [[Dhananjay Bhattacharya]] were the first music teachers of saint artist [[Pannalal Bhattacharya]]. [[Dhananjay Bhattacharya]] stopped singing devotional songs after finding devotional spirit in his brother Pannalal. However, after the demise of [[Pannalal Bhattacharya]], he contributed again in Bengali music with many devotional songs by his sweet, melodious voice.

=== Ramprasadi ===
''[[Ramprasadi]]'' ([[Bengali language|Bengali]] : রামপ্রসাদী) is a category of [[Shyama Sangeet]] composed by eighteenth century [[Bengalis|Bengali]] saint-poet '''{{IAST|Sadhak Rāmprasād Sen}}''' ({{langx|bn|রামপ্রসাদ সেন}}; c. 1718 or c. 1723 – c. 1775).<ref>{{harvnb|Martin|2003|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=qSfneQ0YYY8C&pg=PA191&vq=ramprasad 191]}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Ayyappapanicker|1997}}, p. 64</ref> They are usually addressed to Hindu goddess [[Kali]] and written in [[Bengali language]].<ref name="McDaniel">{{Harvnb|McDaniel|2004}}, p. 162</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=রামপ্রসাদের ভিটেয় কালীর কদর যেমন, সাধককবির আদরও ততটাই!|url=https://eisamay.indiatimes.com/west-bengal-news/24pargana-news/sadhak-ramprasad-sen-who-wrote-bhakti-poems-known-as-ramprasadi-in-bengali/articleshow/71784965.cms|access-date=2020-08-28|website=Ei Samay|language=bn}}</ref><ref name=":2">Singing to the Goddess: Poems to Kali and Uma from Bengal, Ramprasad Sen, Translated by Rachel Fell McDermott ({{ISBN|0-19-513434-6}})</ref><ref name=":3">History of Bengali Literature, Dr. Dulal Chakraborty, July – 2007, Bani Bitan. (Bengali)</ref>
[[File:Ramaprasad_Sen.jpg|thumb|left|[[Ramprasad Sen]]]]
[[Ramprasad Sen]] was the first [[Shakta]] poet to address [[Goddess Kali]] with such as intimate devotion and to sing of her as a tender loving mother or even as a little girl. Ramprasad is credited with creating a new compositional form that combined the Bengali folk style of ''[[Baul]]'' music with classical melodies and ''[[kirtan]]''. The new style took root in Bengali culture with many poet-composers combining folk and raga-based melodies, mixing every common style of music from classical to semi-classical and folk.<ref>{{cite book|editor-last=Arnold|editor-first=Alison|title=The Garland Encyclopedia of World Music|publisher=Taylor & Francis|year=2000|page=846|isbn=978-0-8240-4946-1|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZOlNv8MAXIEC&pg=RA2-PA846}}</ref> His songs are sung today, with a popular collection—''Ramprasadi Sangeet'' ("Songs of Ramprasad")—sold at ''Shakta'' temples and ''pithas'' in Bengal.<ref name="McDaniel" /> After him, a school of [[Shaktism|shakta]] poets continued the Kali-bhakti tradition. [[Krishnachandra Roy|Krishna Chandra Roy]], [[Siraj ud-Daulah]], [[Rabindranath Tagore]], [[Kazi Nazrul Islam]] were immensely inspired by the songs of Ramprasad.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /> Many of his songs have been sung by renowned Shyama sangeet singers of [[West Bengal]] like [[Dhananjay Bhattacharya]], [[Pannalal Bhattacharya]] and Anup Ghoshal as well as popular Indian singers like [[Manna Dey]], [[Hemant Kumar|Hemanta Mukherjee]], [[Kumar Sanu]], [[Srikanta Acharya]], [[Anuradha Paudwal]], and [[Sadhana Sargam]]. These songs are still very popular in [[West Bengal]].

== Agamani-Vijaya ==
'''Agamani''' ({{langx|bn|আগমনী গান}} ''Āgōmōni gān'' "Songs of advent") and '''Vijaya''' (বিজয়া গীতি ''Bījōyā gīţi'' "Songs of parting") are genres of [[Bengali language|Bengali]] folk songs celebrating the return of the [[Goddess Parvati]] to the home of her parents on the eve of the Hindu autumn festival of [[Durga Puja]].<ref name=Datta95>{{Harvnb|Datta|2006|p=95}}</ref><ref name=Islam55>{{Harvnb|Bhowmik|2012}}</ref> The ''Aagamani'' songs describe the return of Parvati to her home in rural Bengal, not as Goddess but as daughter, and are followed by ''Vijaya'' songs which describe the sorrow of separation three days later as Parvati returns to her husband [[Shiva]].

==Atulprasadi==
[[File:Atul prasad.jpg|thumb|left|[[Atulprasad Sen]].]]
Atulprasadi ({{langx|bn|অতুলপ্রসাদী}}) or the Songs of [[Atulprasad Sen]] (1871–1934), one of the major lyricist and composers of early-modern period, is also widely popular in Paschimbanga.<ref name="garland">{{cite book|first=Alison|last=Arnold|title=The Garland Encyclopedia of World Music|publisher=[[Taylor & Francis]]|year=2000|isbn=0-8240-4946-2|page=851|title-link=The Garland Encyclopedia of World Music}}</ref> Atul Prasad is credited with introducing the ''[[Thumri]]'' style in Bengali music.<ref name="garland"/> His songs centred on three broad subjects – patriotism, devotion and love.<ref name="garland"/>

==Dwijendrageeti==
[[File:Dwijendra Lal Roy.jpg|thumb|left|[[Dwijendra Lal Roy]]]]
''[[Dwijendrageeti]]'' ({{langx|bn|দ্বিজেন্দ্রগীতি}}) or the Songs of [[Dwijendra Lal Roy]] (1863–1913), which number over 500, create a separate subgenre of [[Bengali music]]. The patriotic songs of [[Dwijendra Lal Roy]] are very popular in [[West Bengal]].

==Paramartha Sangeet==

Paramartha Sangeet is a collection of devotional songs, which were composed and sung by Maharshi Nagendranath Bhaduri, a renowned yogi and spiritual figure.

Nagendranath Bhaduri founded "Sanatana Dharma Pracharini Sabha" in 1891, a society dedicated to spreading the message of Sanatana Dharma. <ref>{{Cite book |title=Nagendranath Bhaduri, Maharshi (1846 - 1926), COMPANIONS AND FOLLOWERS OF RAMAKRISHNA |publisher=Swami Bodhasarananda |isbn=978-81-7505-360-1 |location=Advaita Ashrama, 5 DEHI ENTALLY ROAD. KOLKATA 700 014 |pages=381 |language=English}}</ref>
This organization, later known as "Nagendra Math" under the guidance of his disciple Dhyanaprakash Brahmachari, published a compilation of songs called Paramartha Sangitabali. This compilation includes three songs composed by Nagendranath himself, which were reportedly sung in the presence of [[Ramakrishna]].<ref>{{Cite book |title=Nagendranath Bhaduri, Maharshi (1846 - 1926), COMPANIONS AND FOLLOWERS OF RAMAKRISHNA |publisher=Swami Bodhasarananda |isbn=978-81-7505-360-1 |location=Advaita Ashrama, 5 DEHI ENTALLY ROAD. KOLKATA 700 014 |pages=381 |language=English}}</ref>

==Prabhat Samgiita==
{{main|Prabhat Samgiita}}
Prabhat Samgiita ([[Bengali language|Bengali]]: প্রভাত সঙ্গীত), also known as Songs of a New Dawn or Prabhat's Songs, are songs composed by [[Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar]].<ref name="DH">{{cite news|url=http://archive.deccanherald.com/Content/Mar172008/arts2008031757962.asp|title=DANCE/MUSIC REVIEW – Prabhat Sangeeth|last=Subramanya|first=Mysore V.|date=2008-03-17|publisher=[[Deccan Herald]]|access-date=1 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012021401/http://archive.deccanherald.com/Content/Mar172008/arts2008031757962.asp|archive-date=12 October 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Sarkar composed a total of 5,018 songs, including the lyrics and the tune, in a period of eight years from 1982 until his death in 1990,<ref name="Homage">{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040920/asp/jamshedpur/story_3778537.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012040057/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040920/asp/jamshedpur/story_3778537.asp|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 October 2013|title=Homage to spiritual guru|date=2004-09-20|publisher=[[The Telegraph (Calcutta)]]|access-date=1 February 2013|location=Calcutta, India}}</ref> making using of eight different languages: Bengali, Hindi, English, Sanskrit, [[Urdu]], [[Magahi language|Magahi]], [[Maithili language|Maithili]] and [[Angika language|Angika]].<ref name="Subhas Sarkar">{{cite book|last=Sarkar|first=Subhas|title=Prabháta Samgiita: A Literary and Philosophical Appreciation|publisher=Ananda Marga Publications|date=2010-12-31|edition=First|isbn=978-81-7252-260-5|oclc=704229361}}</ref>

== Patua Sangeet ==
{{Main|Patua Sangeet}}
'''[[Patua Sangeet]]''' or '''Poter Gan''' is a cultural tradition of [[Pattachitra|Bengal Patachitra]] in [[West Bengal]]. It is performed by the [[Patua]]s.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Bangiyo Loko-Sangeet Ratnakosh|last=Sri Ashutosh Bhattacharya|publisher=Paschimbanga Loko Sanskriti Gobeshona Kendra|location=Kolkata|pages=1041}}</ref> It is famous in the southern and south-western districts of [[West Bengal]] like [[Birbhum]], [[Jhargram]], [[Bardhaman]] and [[Murshidabad]] as folk song.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://chitrolekha.com/myths-and-folktales-patachitra/|title=Myths and Folktales in the Patachitra Art of Bengal: Tradition and Modernity – The Chitrolekha Journal on Art and Design|date=2015-08-02|work=The Chitrolekha Journal on Art and Design|access-date=2018-05-18}}</ref>
There are three types of Patua Sangeet according to the difference of [[Pattachitra|Patachitra]] and the mythological stories associated with it. This lyrical drama written about the ''Krishno leela'', ''Gourango Leela'', ''Ram Leela'', ''Shib-Parboti Lila'' etc., is called ''Leela kahini''. Gopalan or Cattlefarming story is another type of Patua Sangeet.<ref name="Gurusaday Dutta 1939">{{Cite book|title=Patua Sangeet|last=Gurusaday Dutta|publisher=Kolkata University|year=1939|location=Kolkata|pages=Introduction page}}</ref>

== Gombhira ==
{{Main|Gombhira}}
In [[West Bengal]], [[gombhira]] performances are centred around the [[Malda District]] in Northern part of [[West Bengal]]. It is performed with a particularly distinctive rhythm and dance with two performers, always personifying a man and his maternal grandfather, discussing a topic to raise social awareness.
The Gambhira dance along with [[Gambhira|Gambhira Song]] is performed all over the [[Malda district]] of North Bengal during the festival of Chaitra Sankranti. For this festival [[Gambhira|Gambhira masks]] are made out of neem and fig trees by the local ''[[Sutradhar]] community''. Sometimes the masks are also made out of clay.<ref name="auto">{{Cite news|url=http://www.biswabangla.in/ldf-blog/2015/9/22/the-mask|title=The Mask|work=Biswa Bangla|access-date=2018-02-13|archive-date=13 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213140142/http://www.biswabangla.in/ldf-blog/2015/9/22/the-mask|url-status=dead}}</ref> Gambhira dance is performed along with [[Gombhira|Gombhira song]] wearing these masks. The songs of [[Gambhira]] originated among the Hindu community of [[Malda district|Maldah]] in [[West Bengal]], completely in its theme formation.{{CN|date=May 2025}}

== Bhadu Gaan ==
'''Bhadu''' is a social festival of South-Western part of [[West Bengal]]. The festival starts from the first day of [[Bhadro]], the fifth month in [[Bengali Calendar]] and continues till the end of the month. [[Bhadu (festival)|Bhadu gaan]], an inseparable part of Bhadu festival reflects the colours of rural society. It is popular in [[Purulia]], [[Paschim Bardhaman]], [[Bankura]], [[Paschim Midnapore]] and [[Birbhum]] districts of [[West Bengal]]. Bhadu songs are composed extemporaneously and sung on each night of the festival, depicts the Goddesses as young girls. They describe Bhadu and tell in loving detail how they will be entertained. Since Bhadu is unmarried, her songs are sung mostly by unmarried girls. Dancing and playing drums accompanies Bhadu.
<ref>
{{cite news |author= Peter J Claus |author2=Sarah Diamond|author3=Margaret Ann Mills |title= South Asian Folklore: An Encyclopedia : Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka |year=2003|publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=0415939194 |page=567 }}
</ref>

== Tusu Gaan ==
{{Main|Tusu Festival}}
'''[[Tusu Festival|Tusu]]''' is a folk festival held on the last day of the Bengali month of [[Poush]]. It is a unifying form of local common faith and the joy of the harvest. Tusu is a cosmic goddess and conceived as a virgin girl, who imagined as a young girl and is worshipped by [[Tusu Festival|Tusu song]] improvised by womenfolk, based on popular beliefs as well as rituals associated with harvesting. At the end of the festivities, the immersion of the image of Tusu is done vividly and with [[Tusu Festival|Tusu songs]] which have a melancholic ring.<ref name="Banglapedia">{{Cite Banglapedia|article=Tusu_Festival|author=Anjalika Mukhopadhyay}}</ref> Tusu puja is practised and [[Tusu Festival|Tusu songs]] are sung in the rural areas of [[Bankura district|Bankura]], [[Purulia district|Purulia]], [[Bardhaman district|Bardhaman]] and [[Hooghly district|Hooghly]] districts of [[West Bengal]].<ref name="Banglapedia"/>
[[File:Crowd in Tusu Festival Chandil.jpg|thumb|250px|Crowd in Tusu Festival]]

== Jhumur ==
{{Main|Jhumar song}}
This type of folk song is very popular in [[Purulia]], [[Birbhum]], [[Bankura]], [[Purba Midnapur]] and [[Paschim Midnapore]] districts of [[West Bengal]].

== Bolan Gaan ==
''Bolan'' or ''Bolan Gaan'' is a type of folk song of [[West Bengal]] which was once very popular in large areas of [[Birbhum]], [[Nadia district|Nadia]], [[Burdwan]] and [[Murshidabad]] districts of [[West Bengal]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anandabazar.com/district/purulia-birbhum-bankura/future-of-bolan-gan-1.200421 |title=লুপ্তপ্রায় বোলান গানের ভবিষ্যৎ কী, প্রশ্ন মঞ্চে}}</ref>

== Bhawaiya ==
{{Main|Bhawaiya}}
'''[[Bhawaiya]]''' is a musical form or a popular folk music that originated in [[North Bengal|Northern Bengal]], especially in [[Cooch Behar]] district of [[West Bengal]], India, [[Undivided Goalpara district|Goalpara]] district of [[Assam]], India and [[Rangpur Division]] in Bangladesh.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rahman, Urmi. |title=Bangladesh – culture smart! : the essential guide to customs & culture |date=2014 |publisher=Kuperard |isbn=978-1-85733-696-2 |pages=121 |oclc=883354783}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Ahmed |first1=A. F. Salahuddin |last2=Chowdhury |first2=Bazlul Mobin |title=Bangladesh, national culture, and heritage : an introductory reader |date=2004 |publisher=University of Michigan |isbn=984-8509-00-3 |pages=407 |oclc=56598621}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Khāna, Mobāraka Hosena |title=Music and its study |date=1988 |publisher=Sterling Publishers |isbn=81-207-0764-8 |location=New Delhi |pages=69 |oclc=18947640}}</ref> A "working class" music, with the recurring figures of ''mahouts''(মাহুত) (elephant trainers and catchers), ''mahishals'' (মইষাল)(buffalo herders) and ''gariyals''(গাড়িয়াল)(cart drivers) the lyrics of these songs express pangs of separation and loneliness of their womenfolk,<ref>(T)he popular image that the term bhawaiya still conjures up is a form of plaintive ballads that speak of love and loss and endless longing within a woman's heart. {{harvnb|Dutta|2019}}</ref> with elongated tones accentuating pain, longing and "deep emotion".<ref>{{harvnb|Sarma|Monteiro|2019|p=332}}</ref> Generally believed to have originated in the 16th century under the [[Koch dynasty|Koch]] king [[Vishwa Singha]],<ref>There is an approximate consensus that the origins of the form may be dated back to at least the sixteenth century, during the reign of Raja Bishwa Sinha, who established the kingdom of Koch Bihar.{{harvnb|Dutta|2019}}</ref> it has evolved into stage performances since the 1950s and more widely since the 1990s. The lyrics of Bhawaiya songs are non-denominational.<ref>(B)hawaiya developed as an integral cultural expression of the Rajbanshis, and these songs are composed in Rajbanshi (or Kamrupi or Kamtapuri), the most widely spoken Bengali dialect across this belt. Despite the influence of Brahminical Hinduism, Islam and Vaishnavism over the preceding centuries, the popular culture of these communities have retained matriarchal influences, evident from the many extant folk rituals and practices. {{harvnb|Dutta|2019}}</ref>

== Bhatiali ==
{{Main|Bhatiali}}
'''[[Bhatiali]]''' or '''''bhatiyali''''' ({{langx|bn|ভাটিয়ালি}}) is a form of [[folk music]] in both [[West Bengal]] and Bangladesh. Bhatiali is a river song mostly sung by boatmen while going down streams of the river. The word ''bhatiyali'' comes from ''bhata'' meaning "[[Tide|ebb]]" or downstream.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.india9.com/i9show/Bhatiyali-Folk-Song-24450.htm|title=Bhatiyali Folk Song in India|website=India9.com|access-date=15 June 2017}}</ref>

== Alkap ==
{{Main|Alkap}}
'''[[Alkap]]''' ({{langx|bn|আলকাপ}}) is a form of [[Bengali language|Bengali]] folk performance popular in the districts of [[Murshidabad district|Murshidabad]], [[Malda district|Malda]] and [[Birbhum district|Birbhum]] in [[West Bengal]].<ref>{{cite web | url = https://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Alkap_Gan| title = Alkap Gan | access-date = 2009-03-22 | last = Ahmed| first = Wakil | work =Banglapedia | publisher = Asiatic Society of Bangladesh }}</ref><ref name=Telegraph>{{cite web | url =http://www.telegraphindia.com/1030718/asp/calcutta/story_2173034.asp
| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20030824090928/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1030718/asp/calcutta/story_2173034.asp
| url-status =dead
| archive-date =24 August 2003
| title = Sudkhor | access-date = 2009-03-22 | publisher = The Telegraph, 18 July 2003 }}</ref>

== Band music and Bengali rock ==
{{Main|Rock music of West Bengal}}
[[File:Kolkata Map of Music.png|thumb|A Schematic map of Kolkata showing some relevant music landmarks by Anandana Dutta]]

<big>'''Popular Rock Bands'''</big>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year formed !! Band name !! Genre !! Language
|-
| 1975 || [[Moheener Ghoraguli]] || [[Rock music of West Bengal|Bengali rock]] || [[Bengali language|Bengali]]
|-
| 1990 || [[Krosswindz]] || Bengali rock, [[Fusion (music)|fusion]] || Bengali, English, [[Hindi]]
|-
| 1991 || [[Chandrabindoo (band)|Chandrabindoo]] || Bengali rock || Bengali
|-
| 1992 || [[Cactus (Indian band)|Cactus]] || Bengali rock, [[hard rock]] || Bengali
|-
| 1996 || Hip Pocket || [[Rock music|Rock]], hard rock || English
|-
| 1998 || [[Fossils (band)|Fossils]] || Bengali rock, hard rock, [[Heavy metal music|metal]] || Bengali, English, Hindi
|-
| 1998 || Kalpurush<ref name="The Times of India">{{cite news| url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-10-21/parties/27990383_1_bangla-band-club-town-complex-victoria-greens-and-mangalik | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130907205016/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2007-10-21/parties/27990383_1_bangla-band-club-town-complex-victoria-greens-and-mangalik | url-status=dead | archive-date=2013-09-07 | work=[[The Times of India]] | title=Mirchi Sarod Sandhya comes rocking!}}</ref> || Bengali Rock, Bengali Pop, [[Rock music|Rock]], [[Pop music|Pop]] || Bengali, Hindi
|-
| 1999 || [[Bhoomi (band)|Bhoomi]] || Bengali rock || Bengali
|-
| 1999 || [[Skinny Alley]] || Rock, [[alternative rock]] || English
|-
| 1999 || [[Lakkhichhara (band)|Lakkhichhara]] || Bengali rock || Bengali
|-
| 2001 || [[Cassini's Division]] || Rock, alternative rock || English
|-
| 2002 || [[Insomnia (band)|Insomnia]] || Bengali rock, alternative, [[nu metal]] || English, Bengali
|-
|2005 || [[Rikterskale]] || Bangla Rock
|-
| 2005 || [[Prithibi (Band)|Prithibi]] || Bengali rock || Bengali
|-
| 2005 || [[Agnish (Band)|Agnish]] || Bengali Rock, Hard rock, Rock n Roll || Bengali
|-
| 2005 || [[Calcutta Blues]] || Bengali rock || Bengali
|-
| 2006 || Destiny<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.washingtonbanglaradio.com/content/83181411-kolkata-bangla-band-destiny-songs-interview-band-members-wbri-exclusive-feature | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015105035/http://washingtonbanglaradio.com/content/83181411-kolkata-bangla-band-destiny-songs-interview-band-members-wbri-exclusive-feature | url-status=usurped | archive-date=15 October 2011 | title=Kolkata Bangla Band DESTINY - Songs & Interview with Band Members | publisher=Washington Bangla Radio | date=26 August 2011 | access-date=27 April 2018 }}</ref> || Progressive, neo-classical ||
|-
| 2006 || [[Pinknoise]] || [[Experimental rock]], alternative rock || English
|-
| 2006 || [[Pseudonym (band)|Pseudonym]] || Alternative rock, hard rock || English
|-
| 2006 || [[Kanvas]] || Alternative rock, Folk rock || Bengali, Hindi
|-
| 2007 || [[Five Little Indians]] || Alternative rock || English
|-
| 2008 || [[soul unity of rhythm]] || Alternative rock || Bengali
|-
| 2009 || [[Kendraka]] || Jazz rock
|-
| 2010 || [[Underground Authority]] || Alternative rock, [[rap rock]], hard rock || Hindi, English, Bengali
|-
| 2012 || [[RobiONobin]] || Folk rock
|-
| 2013 || [[Lotus Eater]] || Country, Alternative rock, rap rock soft rock, folk fusion, rock 'n' roll || Hindi, English, Bengali https://web.archive.org/web/20150218104000/http://www.fruithuntt.com/lotus-eater/
|-
| 2014 || [[Cross Chords]] || Experimental Rock, Progressive Rock, Metal || Bengali, English
|-
| || [[Parama]]<ref name="The Times of India"/> || ||
|-
| || [[Aurko]]<ref name="The Times of India"/> || ||
|-
| 2015 || [[the troubadours]] || [[Folk, Blues, mainly known for their Protest songs, such as 'Raasta ta howa dorkar']] || Bengali, English
|-
|}
| 1990s- till present || [[Monojit Datta's Orient Express]] || [[Latin American Music, mainly Salsa, Rumba, Merengue, Samba, Guaguanco, such as Bondhu Sunte Pachcho]] || Bangla, Spanish and English

== See also ==
* [[Tamang Selo]]
* [[Bengali folk literature]]
* [[Culture of Bengal]]
* [[Culture of West Bengal]]
* [[Music of Bangladesh]]
* [[Music of Bengal]]
* [[Baul]]
* [[Nazrul Geeti]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Bibliography==
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* {{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706223847/https://www.sahapedia.org/solitude-love-nature-culture-and-womanhood-bhawaiya-songs-0 |archive-date=6 July 2020 |url=https://www.sahapedia.org/solitude-love-nature-culture-and-womanhood-bhawaiya-songs-0 |last=Dutta |first=Soumik |date=24 December 2019 |title=The Solitude of Love: Nature, Culture and Womanhood in Bhawaiya Songs |website=Sahapedia |access-date=6 July 2020}}
* {{cite book |last=Martin|first=Nancy M.|title=The Blackwell companion to Hinduism|editor=Gavin D. Flood|publisher=Wiley-Blackwell|year=2003|chapter=North Indian Hindi Devotional Literature|isbn=978-0-631-21535-6}}
* {{cite book|last=McDaniel|first=June|title=Offering Flowers, Feeding Skulls|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2004|isbn=978-0-19-516790-0}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Sarma |first1=Simona |last2=Monteiro |title=Contemporary 'Folk' Dynamics: Shifting Visions and Meanings in the Goalpariya Folk Music of Assam |journal=Folklore |year=2019 |volume=130 |issue=4 |pages=331–351 |doi=10.1080/0015587X.2019.1622923|s2cid=213283007 }}

[[Category:Bengali music]]
[[Category:Music of West Bengal]]

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