KIRTAN- What Is It???

KIRTAN -Definition & Origin:

Kirtan is a Hindu devotional song, typically about the life of Krishna and Radha, in which a group repeats the lines sung by the Leader.The origin of the word "KIRTAN" is from the two Sanskrit word 'Kirta' meaning "Famous" and 'Trin' meaning "Praise". 

 In Bengali the word "Kirtan" means দেবতাদের উদ্দেশে গীত ভজনগান। In English the word Kirtan means adoration or praising of the Divine. Kirtan is call and response chanting performed in India's Bhakti devotional traditions.Kirtan is the congregational chanting of God Holy's name. 

Traditionally, Kirtan practice involves chanting hymns or mantras to the accompaniment of instruments such as the Mridanga ( the two headed drum),Manjira (small hand cymbals) and Kartal (big hand cymbals).But with the changing time Kirtan songs are experimenting with modern instruments like Harmonium and Tablas. Kirtan is majorly practiced by the Vaisnavas, though later other religious group like Sikh,Buddhist and the Sant traditions also practiced Kirtan.

 Picture Courtesy: Google Image                                              Mridanga

                                                          

Picture Courtesy : Google Image                                            Manjira

Picture Courtesy: Google Image                                                Kartal

Kirtan is sometimes accompanied by story-telling and acting along with songs.Text typically covers religious, mythological or social subjects. Katha Kirtan is a one man theatre. The narrator gesticulates and dramatises the emotions of the various characters as he unfolds the story of Krishna through solo recital. Katha Kirtan has been a traditional medium of mass education.

People of all faiths are welcome to take part in Kirtan as Lord Krishna said to Arjuna (According to Bhagavad Gita) :- "Engage your mind always in thinking of Me, become my devotee, offer songs to me and worship me.Surely you will come to me. "

In 15th century famous Vaisnavi monk Sri Mahaprabhu Chaitanya Deb promotes Vaisnaism through Kirtan songs. Before Chaitanya Deb Kirtan was practiced by Boru Chandidas, Dijon Chandidas,Din Chandidas, Bidyapati, Kobi Joydev and its Geet Gobinda.

Picture Courtesy: Google Image

Earlier Kirtan are limited to the boundary of Bengal. Kirtan were sung in houses and temples in different religious occasions. Sometimes Kirtan are sung in obituary occasion also. But ISKON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) makes Kirtan popular worldwide. Branches  all over the world like in New York, England, Melbourne makes Kirtan popular. From 1967 on wards Kirtan is practices both Nationally and Internationally.
The famous lines in Kirtan which are sung by the devotees of Krishna are:

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna

Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Ram Hare Ram

Ram Ram Hare Hare

References:
Padabalir Kirtaner Itihash by Swami Praggananda

FOLK MEDIA & FOLK MUSIC

Folk is defined as the people who representing the composite of social culture,customs,rituals and forms of behaviour in a society. The idea of using Folk as a medium of Mass Communication is to maximise perception and understanding especially in rural areas.In a country like India, Folk media plays an integral part of the local and cultural milieu.

The term "Traditional Folk Media" is a term used to denote 'people's performances'.It describes folk dance, rural drama, rural festivals and musical variety of the village people.During past few decades Folk media have been increasingly recognised as the viable tools to impart development messages and other forms of information.In a developing country like India Traditional Folk Media have been reckoned as successful mass-motivators because people understand the messages easily because folk media have a secular character and use familiar cultural forms which are appealing to local rural community.As Folk media stimulate community participation it gets instant feedback also.Thus,Traditional Folk media has enriched the content of the mass media channels.

Picture courtesy:Google Images

FOLK MUSIC:

    Music appeals to the physical,intellectual,emotional,moral and spiritual instincts of man.In all spheres of life music is absolutely essential.Music is remembered more faithfully because to the folk singer the whole meaning of the song is emotional rather than logical.In tribal societies or societies other than urbanities,Folk music plays a main role in daily life.Most of the activities of the members of these societies revolve round the rituals and festivities associated with their traditional music.

Folk musical styles supplement the speech communication with patterned vocal sounds,i.e., musical styles of modes.The folk music and folk songs go hand in hand which functions as a communication device when it is employed through the language and accepted melodic patterns of a community.Apart from entertainment, Folk songs are sung to teach the child to walk, eat, play, be industrious and good natured. The rural child receives home education through folk songs, which are unforgettable and everlasting.

Picture Courtesy: Google Images

FOLK SONGS OF BENGAL:

       The folk songs of the rural Bengal represent the rich cultural and historical legacy of the ancient times.The melodious yet simple compositions of the various kinds of the folk songs of the rural Bengal cast a magical spell on the audience.The Folk songs of Bengal have acquired a global character because of their enchanting melody and simple philosophy of life.The splendid compositions of the folk songs have captured the imagination of the poet and have helped to spread happiness around the world.

The enriched Folk songs of rural Bengal can be distinctly categorised into four categories.

BAUL: Baul is a traditional folk song which forms a group of singers who move from place to place to express their inner most feelings through songs.

BHATIALI: Bhatiali is another prominent folk song which are sung with a touch of sadness in the memory of one's beloved.

SARI: Sari is another prominent folk song of Bengal which is sung by the boatmen when they go for sea voyages.

KIRTAN: Finally the fourth category of Bengal folk song is Kirtan. It is a devotional folk song which is sung in praise of the Supreme Being. Kirtan will be further discussed widely in my future posts.

All this four different forms of folk songs are famous for their unique styles and compositions.The Folk songs reflect the inherent natural talent of the rural artists who composed the splendid music to refresh their mind and explore their hidden potentialities.





References:
1) Class notes
2) www. kirtan folk song/west bengal.com