Folk Songs of Assam

Assam, the north-eastern state of India, situated on the littoral of the mighty river Brahmaputra is home to diverse ethnic groups and cultures. This diversity contributed immensely to its musical gamut. The Folk Music of the state can be segregated into different categories. Assam is known for its rich culture and its richness can be very well noticed in its different types of folk music. Since the origin of the mighty Brahmaputra, Assamese music has been affluent. Nevertheless, the introduction of Indian Classical music and Religious music of Mahapurux Sankardeva and Madhavdeva has added precious stones to the coronet of Assamese folk music, which dates back to several centuries and evidences of practice of music are found during the 2nd century.

Bihu Geet

The festival of Bihu is the heart and soul of Assamese culture and Bihu geet are the songs sung during this festival. The carnival of life are expressed through Bihu songs of geets, which a filled with deep meaning. These are entwined around subject of love. These songs are performed by youth, which is characterized by, flinging and flipping of hands, brisk stepping and swaying of hips. Husori is another type of Bihu geet, which is sung by groups of boys and young men led by older men moving from door to door thereby singing and dancing in the front or back courtyard collecting subscriptions to be spent on repairing the village Namghar. Unlike Bihu geet, Husori is mainly based on religious theme and the groups pray for the welfare of the people.

Kamrupiya Lokageet

Kamrupiya Lokageet is a popular form of folk music of Assam, which is basically sung in lower Assam. This form of folk music developed during the reign of Kamrupa Kingdom and is sung since time immemorial. These songs are based on various human emotions, especially of common people. It is known for its richness of musical style.

Goalporiya Lokageet

Goalporiya Lokgeet is a form of folk music of Assam, which is mainly sung in the Goalpara district. It is basically lyrical song of Goalpara and is not related with religious or rituals. Generally the main theme of compositions is based mainly on love but not totally. It has different sub-genres that differ in the musical mood and themes, of which the bhawaiya and the chatka are principal forms along with moishali and maut songs. These songs are often sung in chorus sole accompaniment of the dotora.

Tokari Geet

Another type of folk music of Assam is Tokari geet, which is based on different mythological stories as well as the social life of people. These songs are performed with Tokari, a musical instrument with a single string played with fingers, cymbals and flute. These songs are mainly sung by the male folk led by a leader. Tokari geet is also a popular form of folk music of the state.

Aainam

Aainam is a devotional folk music of the state, which is sung by the Women. It is a traditional folk song, which has been sung since time immemorial and is related to death and illness. This is mainly sung when someone in the family is suffering from some serious sickness, especially small pox. It is sung by women clapping their hands to praise the Goddess and is still prevalent in lower Assam.

Bianaam

Bianaam is another popular form of folk music of Assam, which is prevalent in both Upper Assam and Lower Assam. These are basically marriage songs sung during the marriage and are generally fun making the bride and groom. These songs illustrate epic stories of King Baana and his daughter Usha who was married to Anniruddha, the grandson of Lord Krishna. These songs are particularly sung by the women folk of the Society.

Assamese folk songs are a rich and vibrant part of the state’s culture. They are sung on a variety of occasions, from weddings and festivals to religious ceremonies and everyday life. Assamese folk songs are often accompanied by traditional instruments such as the dhol, gojri, and bansuri.

One of the most popular types of Assamese folk song is the Bihu song. Bihu songs are sung during the Bihu festival, which is celebrated every year in April or May. The Bihu festival is a time for people to come together and celebrate the harvest. Bihu songs are often about love, nature, and the joy of living.

Another popular type of Assamese folk song is the Bhatiyali song. Bhatiyali songs are sung by women who work in the fields. The songs are about the hardships of working in the fields, but they also celebrate the beauty of nature and the importance of hard work.

Borgeet songs are another type of Assamese folk song that is often sung during religious ceremonies. Borgeet songs are about religious themes such as love, devotion, and sacrifice.

Dhol-Gojri songs are a type of Assamese folk song that is often sung by women. The songs are about the joys and sorrows of love.

Jhumur songs are a type of Assamese folk song that is often sung by men. The songs are about love, war, and other aspects of life.

Lalong songs are a type of Assamese folk song that is often sung by people from the Mishing tribe. The songs are about love, nature, and the joy of living.

Naam songs are a type of Assamese folk song that is often sung by people from the Bodo tribe. The songs are about religious themes such as love, devotion, and sacrifice.

Ojapali songs are a type of Assamese folk song that is often sung by people from the Deori tribe. The songs are about love, nature, and the joy of living.

Paika Bihu songs are a type of Assamese folk song that is often sung by people from the Paika tribe. The songs are about love, war, and other aspects of life.

Sohrai songs are a type of Assamese folk song that is often sung by people from the Garo tribe. The songs are about love, nature, and the joy of living.

Tusu songs are a type of Assamese folk song that is often sung by people from the Santal tribe. The songs are about love, nature, and the joy of living.

Xutuli songs are a type of Assamese folk song that is often sung by people from the Mishing tribe. The songs are about love, nature, and the joy of living.

Assamese folk songs are a beautiful and important part of the state’s culture. They are a way for people to connect with their roots and celebrate their heritage. Assamese folk songs are also a way for people to express their emotions and share their stories.

What is folk music?

Folk music is a genre of music that is passed down through oral tradition. It is typically music that is created by and for the people, and it often reflects the culture and history of the people who create it.

What are some characteristics of folk music?

Folk music is often characterized by its simplicity, its use of traditional instruments, and its focus on storytelling. It is also often passed down through generations, and it can be used to preserve cultural traditions.

What are some examples of folk music?

Some examples of folk music include:

Ballads: Ballads are narrative songs that tell a story. They are often simple and repetitive, and they can be traced back to ancient times.
Work songs: Work songs are songs that are sung while people are working. They can be used to set a rhythm, to provide motivation, or to simply pass the time.
Children’s songs: Children’s songs are songs that are sung by and for children. They are often simple and repetitive, and they can be used to teach children about the world around them.
Dance songs: Dance songs are songs that are sung while people are dancing. They can be simple or complex, and they can be used to create a sense of community and belonging.

What are some of the benefits of listening to folk music?

There are many benefits to listening to folk music. Folk music can help us to connect with our culture and history, it can provide us with a sense of community, and it can simply be enjoyable to listen to.

What are some of the challenges of folk music?

One challenge of folk music is that it can be difficult to find recordings of folk music. Another challenge is that folk music can be difficult to learn, as it is often passed down through oral tradition.

What is the future of folk music?

The future of folk music is uncertain. Folk music is often seen as a dying art form, as it is being replaced by other genres of music. However, there are still many people who enjoy listening to folk music, and there are still many people who are creating new folk music. It is possible that folk music will continue to evolve and change in the future, but it is also possible that it will eventually disappear.

Sure. Here are some MCQs about folk songs from around the world:

Which of the following is not a type of folk song?
(a) Ballad
(b) Lullaby
(c) Rap
(d) Work song
Which of the following is not a characteristic of folk songs?
(a) They are passed down orally.
(b) They are often anonymous.
(c) They are usually simple in melody and structure.
(d) They are often about love or nature.
Which of the following is not a country where folk songs are popular?
(a) China
(b) Japan
(c) India
(d) The United States
Which of the following is not a traditional instrument used in folk music?
(a) The fiddle
(b) The guitar
(c) The piano
(d) The drum
Which of the following is not a traditional dance associated with folk music?
(a) The waltz
(b) The polka
(c) The tango
(d) The hip hop
Which of the following is not a traditional costume associated with folk music?
(a) The kilt
(b) The flamenco dress
(c) The cowboy hat
(d) The tuxedo
Which of the following is not a traditional food associated with folk music?
(a) Pizza
(b) Paella
(c) Sushi
(d) Hamburgers
Which of the following is not a traditional drink associated with folk music?
(a) Beer
(b) Wine
(c) Sake
(d) Coca-Cola
Which of the following is not a traditional festival associated with folk music?
(a) Oktoberfest
(b) Carnival
(c) Thanksgiving
(d) Christmas
Which of the following is not a traditional holiday associated with folk music?
(a) New Year’s Day
(b) Valentine’s Day
(c) Mother’s Day
(d) Father’s Day

I hope you found these MCQs interesting and challenging!