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.

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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.

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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