Quite honestly, the whole of India is the cultural capital of itself, but one could say the east is a bit ahead of everyone. The eastern states of India have explored music like nobody before. It is not only folk music that it gives you, but also genres like rock and metal. The states like Bihar and Jharkhand are the least explored states when it comes to music, while the states of West Bengal and the 7 sisters of North-East India have too much to offer to a traveler who comes in search of folk and western music.
1. Assam
Assam is home to a few gatherings and tribes like Mongoloid, Indo-Burmese, Indo-Iranian, Aryan, Rabha, Bodo, Kachari, Karbi, Mising, Sonowal Kacharis and Mishimi, which is the reason the state appreciates a range of assorted music. Additionally, the impact of this differing qualities can be found in the way of life and traditions, particularly in the music of Assam. The perfect time to witness the diverse musical structures can be amidst the different festivals and fairs in the state. The Assamese music’s essential trademark is its plunging scale which makes it unique in relation to the raga-based or folk music from whatever is left of India. The indigenous music of Assam incorporates Bihu melodies, Bodo, Karbi and Mising tunes. These are altogether organized and sung to the Pentatonic scale very like the conventional music of China; demonstrating a solid impact of Chinese music on Assamese culture. The music of Assam can be extensively partitioned into Regional Folk music, Ethnic Eolk music, Bihu tunes, Allied styles, Bhakti music and Modern music.
Musical Instruments Used:
- Dhol
- Madol
- Khram
Where to Find Music:
- Guwahati – (Café Hendrix, The Lounge Bar, Silver Streak, Topaz, Urban Mantra, Reign, Night Cap, Ambrosia, Zero Mile)
- Jorhat
- Dihpu
- Tezpur
Folk Music Festivals:
- Ambubachi Mela : Mid-June, Venue : Kamakhya Temple, Guwahati
- Bihu : Mid-April, Venue : Throughout Assam
- Baishagu : Mid-April, Venue : Throughout Assam
- Deodhani : Mid-August, Venue : Guwahati
- Brahmaputra Beach Festival : January, Venue : Guwahati
- Metropolis Asia : January, Venue : Guwahati
- Goodstock : March, Venue : Panikheti, Guwahati
- Euphony : January-February, Venue : Guwahati
Folk Artists:
- Mahapurush Srimanta Shankardev
- Sri Sri Madhabdeva
- Bhupen Hazarika
- Bishnuprasad Rabha
- Jyoti Prasad Agarwala
2. Bihar & Jharkhand
One can discover subaltern culture in the Bihar and Jharkhand when contrasted with the others. Regular activities of day-to-day life was drawn closer in the folk melodies of Bihar and Jharkhand. In each individual’s life, the folk music is profoundly developed and is still alive. At the waterway side and at home, the general population began singing folk tunes and bunches of amusement at the season of Chhath Puja in the states. In the fields of Bihar and Jharkhand, the historical backdrop of flexibility warrior Kunwar Singh has appeared through the folk tunes. The folk music of the Bihar and Jharkhand is spun around the religion in the state.
Musical Instruments Used:
- Dholak
- Bansuri
- Tabla
- Harmonium
- Shehnai
Where to Find Music:
- Patna
- Bodhgaya
- Rajgir
- Ranchi
- Deogarh
Folk Music Festivals:
- Chatth Puja : Mid-October, Venue : Throughout Bihar and Jharkhand
- Sama Chakeva : Winter, Venue : Mithila
Folk Artists:
- Ustad Bismillah Khan
- The Malliks
- The Mishras
- Bhikhari Thakur
- Manoj Bhawuk
3. Odisha
The present type of customary Odissi music is doubtlessly the result of the consistent development of the most punctual Indian established music. Orissa could guzzle every one of the rushes of traditional music starting from ‘Sama-Gana’ to Raga ‘Prabandha Gana’. This framework is prevalently styled as conventional Odissi music. Since there is the lack of recorded proof to demonstrate the correct time of the appearance of the most punctual type of the Indian Classical Music into this land, one may sensibly trust its inflow amidst the time of Aryanisation of this land. Potentially, Aryan culture crawled into this land in the age of Brahmins; when the majority of Indian landmass went under the Aryan impact. The Sovaneswara and Brahmeswara engravings and furthermore the engraving from Madhukeswar Sanctuary uncovers that music was presented in the sanctuaries as a piece of day by day customs. Music tinged with religion and achieved mass interest. This convention non-stop in its diverse appearances.
Musical Instruments Used:
- Dhola
- Mohuri
- Turi
- Kahali
- Jhanja
Where to Find Music:
- Sambalpur
- Puri
- Sundargarh
- Cuttack
Folk Music Festivals:
- Kalinga Mahotsav: January, Venue: Bhubaneshwar
- Chandan Yatra (Rath Yatra): April-May, Venue: Puri
- Sital Shashti : June, venue: Sambalpur
- Nua Khai: August-September, Venue: Western Odisha (Dalkhai)
- Konark Dance Festival: December, Venue: Konark
Folk Artists:
- Jitendra Haripal
- Susmita Das
- Shyamamani Devi
4. West Bengal
West Bengal is famous for its rich craftsmanship and culture and the scholarly quality of its kin. The wealth of Bengali culture additionally reflects in the music of the state. Music, more than being a workmanship, is an enthusiasm for Bengalis. Over a thousand years old, Bengali music has turned out to be differing with such a variety of assortments inside. The assortment is to such an extent that once you get acquainted with it, you won’t have to look past it. From traditional to shake, folk to reverential, you will get practically every conceivable musical form in Bangla Sangeet in the form of Shyama Sangeet, Baul Sangeet, Nazrul Geeti, Jeebanmukhi and Rabindra Sangeet. At that point, there is the show of an extensive variety of feelings – be it adore, trouble, tension, inspiration, commitment or a deep sense of being.
Musical Instruments Used:
- Iktara
- Tabla
- Harmonium
- Flute
Where to Find Music:
- Kolkata
- Bolpur Shantiniketan
- Canning
- Alipur Duar
- The Dooars
- Sundarbans
Folk Music Festivals :
- Poila Baisakh: April, Venue: throughout West Bengal
- Durga Puja: September-October, venue: Throughout West Bengal
- Rabindra Jayanti: 9th May, Venue: Bolpur Shantiniketan
- Holi: March, Venue: Bolpur and Kolkata
Folk Artists:
- Birendrakhrishna Bhadra
- Shyamal Mitra
- Manna De
- Atulprasad Sen
- Moheener Ghoraguli
Folk Bands:
- Fossils
- Prithibi
- Chandrabindoo
- Anjan Dutta
- Cactus
- Krosswindz
- Lakhkhichchara
5. The 7 Sisters of Northeast India
The 7 sisters of northeast India comprises of Sikkim, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland and Tripura. Northeast India, including the state of Assam(which is mentioned above separately), is known for their musical influence on the rest of the country and major cities in Southeast Asia. Much more than being known for folk music, northeast India became a hard rock hub of India. The number of musically talented youth in this part of the country is commendable as the expertise and interest in music has been passing for generations now and has been given recognition by the country and the world.
Musical Instruments Used:
- Guitar
- Drums
- Violin
- Xylophone
- Banam
- Sarinda of Tripura
- Pena of Manipur
- Split Concussion Tubes
Where to Find Music:
- Shillong, Meghalaya
- Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh
- Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh
- Agartala, Tripura
- Kohima, Nagaland
- Tuophema, Nagaland
- Imphal, Manipur
- Gangtok, Sikkim
- Aizawl, Mizoram
Folk Music Festivals:
- Hornbill Festival : December, Venue : Kohima, Nagaland
- Hornbill International Rock Festival : December, Venue : Kohima, Nagaland
- Ziro Music Festival : September, Venue : Ziro Village, Arunachal Pradesh
- Shine a Light : November, Venue : Sohra, Meghalaya
- Shillong Autumn Festival : October-November, Venue : Shillong, Meghalaya
- Orange Festival : December-January, Venue : Akoko Village, Dambuk, Arunachal Pradesh
- Shillong Beer Fest : January, Venue : Shillong, Meghalaya
Folk Artists:
- Soulmate
- Lucid Recess
- Alobo Naga
- Magdalene
- Alien Gods
- Cleave
- Still Waters
- Sinister Violence
Eastern India’s contribution to music is significant because it has touched numerous genres of music and not only folk music. Despite, its folk being one of the most melodious, beautiful and classical-oriented, its openness to accept western music has brought it worldwide recognition and attracts music-crazy people from all over the globe.
To read more on the regional folk music in India and where you can listen to them, check out the links below :
Stay tuned for more tunes!
Featured Image Courtesy: Cultural India
