Seminar on some folk music traditions of India

An NCPA Presentation in collaboration with the International Foundation for Fine Arts

India is perhaps the most musically diverse regions in the world. This diversity is evident in the folk traditions associated with different regions where music is regarded as an integral part of day-to-day life.

Folk music is also the base from which much of Indian classical (art) music has evolved. Ragas like Kafi, Pahadi, Mand, Bhairavi, etc. are derived from folk melodies. The names of some ragas like Jaunpuri, Bhupali, Brindavani, Tilang, etc indicate association with specific places/regions and communities.

Folk traditions are characterised by songs associated with important occasions from birth, naming ceremony, attainment of puberty, marriage to death. Additionally, there are also seasonal forms such as chaiti, sawan, baramaasi and kajri.

This seminar attempts to outline the distinctive features of the folk traditions of some states of India with a view to unravel their sociocultural significance in the Indian tradition.

Folk forms and traditions associated with the following states will be discussed in terms of melody, poetry and rhythm: Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Bengal.

The speakers include well-known scholars and artistes such as Shekhar Sen, Malini Awasthi, Ashit Desai and Hema Desai, Nandesh Vitthal Umap, Chandan Tiwari, Rakesh Tiwari, Ratnaboli Bose and Rangoli Biswas, along with folk singers.

Besides academic deliberations, which will be followed by Q&A sessions, there will be audiovisual clips and live demonstrations by reputed practitioners to illustrate the practice of the genres.

Schedule:
Inauguration & Keynote address
9.30 am to 10.00 am
Speaker – Shekhar Sen

Folk music traditions of Uttar Pradesh
10.00 am to 11.00 am

Speaker – Malini Awasthi

Coffee/Tea break
11.00 am to 11.15 am

Folk music traditions of Gujarat
11.15 am to 12.15 pm
Speaker – Ashit Desai & Hema Desai

Folk music traditions of Maharashtra
12.15 pm to 1.15 pm
Speaker – Nandesh Vitthal Umap

Lunch break
1.15 pm to  2.00 pm

Folk music traditions of Bihar
2.00 pm to 3.00 pm
Speaker – Chandan Tiwari

Folk music traditions of Chhattisgarh
3.00 pm to 4.00 pm
Speaker – Rakesh Tiwari & group

Coffee/Tea break
4.00 pm to 4.15 pm

Folk music traditions of Bengal
4.15 pm to 5.15 pm
Speaker – Ratnaboli Bose, Rangoli Biswas & group

Entry free on a first-come-first-served basis.

Please RSVP to Usha Ayre – 9819907310/usha.ayre@lemuir.com