Bhawaiya festival attracts viewers

Artistes of Rangpur Bhawaiya Academy performing at the show

A largm number of people thronged the festival. Artistes from Kurigram, Rangpur, Gaibandha, Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat participated in the festival.

The recent function brought Bhawaiya music form to the masses. Bhawaiya originated from the Bangali word bhab, meaning love. Bhawaiya has been a part of the daily lives among the common folks of our country for ages. However, researchers have affirmed that it is an inextricable feature of our heritage, particularly in Rangpur and Dinajpur in Bangladesh and West Dinajpur and Cooch Behar in India.

History says that a community called Rajbongshi, originated from the lands adjoining the Himalayas during sixteenth century. They were also known as 'Kouch'. They gave Bhawaiya music a shape that has been continuing with refined tunes.

In the course of time, with the introdction of modern technology, the chasm between towns and villages narrowed down. Meanwhile, a large number of people migrated from villages to towns. As they were well acquainted with Bhawaiya, they introduced the tradition to the cities.

Dotara was the main musical instrument for Bhawaiya in the past. With the passage of time Dotara has been accompanied with other instruments such as: harmonium, tobla-dugi, ektari and khol.

Maestros Abbas Uddin, Horolal Roy, Mahesh Chandra Roy, Surendranath Roy, Kochim Uddin, and Kheraj Ali helped spread Bhawaiya at home and beyond the boundaries.

A number of Bhawaiya organisations have been formed in different areas in the northern districts. These organisations, amidst a lot of setbacks, are trying to uphold the uniqueness of this genre on music. Many of these organisations are working even at upazila levels. Recently Bangladesh Bhawaiya Academy was formed in Dhaka to preserve anl enrich this music form. This akademy has branches in several northern districts.