Unit One: A Glimpse of Our Culture

Lesson 1: People's Music

[Image: Four postage stamps depicting traditional Bangladeshi musical instruments]

A set of four stamps issued on 21 July 2011 on Traditional Musical Instruments of Bangladesh

Key Words People's music, oral tradition, self-expression, instruments, migration

A. Work in Pairs

1. What kinds of music do you hear in your daily life? Are they related to your family traditions or culture?
2. How do you think music changes over time? Does it stay the same, or does it evolve with people's lifestyles?
3. Can you think of any traditional instruments you've seen or heard about? What materials do you think they're made from?
4. Why might certain types of music become less common as people move from villages to cities?

B. Read the text and answer the following questions.

People's music, also known as folk music, consists of tunes, lyrics, and knowledge passed down orally for generations. Over time, this music has evolved, closely tied to the way people live. Our agriculture, food, ecology, seasons, and rituals are all reflected in these songs. Palligiti, Bhatiwali, Jari, Sari,

Gambhira, Lalon Giti, Paalagan, and the songs of Hason Raja all embody the self-expression of the people.

As the landscape changes, the music shifts too. In the hill tracts, you encounter music with the same role but expressed in the diverse languages of the ethnic communities. The instruments used for folk music are crafted from materials found in the surroundings—animal skin, bamboo, and calabash are common examples. The sounds they produce are deeply connected to the land they come from. As people migrate to cities and villages transform, these traditional tunes are slowly fading. However, folk music still finds its place in mainstream films and music albums.

The following are translations of a Hason Raja song and a Bhawaiya song featured in the film Asiya, directed by Fateh Lohani:

Translation of Hason Raja's Loke Bole Bole Re (Oh, They Say)

Oh, They say my house is no good, But what can I build with nothing here? I'll erect a home. Yet how long will I truly stay? I gaze into the mirror, Noticing the strands of grey in my hair. Thinking of this, Hason Raja never built a dwelling. Where will Allah take him? Where will he find rest? This uncertainty brings him to tears. If only Hason Raja had known his days, He would have painted his rooms in vibrant hues. Oh. They say my house is no good, But what can I build with nothing here?

Listen to the Bhawaiya song on the internet as featured in the film Asiya and sung by Mustafa Zaman Abbasi and Ferdousi Rahman:

Questions

1. What are some examples of Bangladeshi folk music genres mentioned in the passage?
2. How are the instruments used in folk music connected to the land and environment?
3. What happens to folk music as people move to cities and villages change?
4. How is Bangladeshi folk music still present in mainstream media, despite its decline?

C. Discuss in groups and write a paragraph on the following topic:

How has Bangladeshi folk music changed over the years, and what is its importance in everyday life and culture today?