Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts- Regional Center Ranchi (IGNCA- RCR) organised a lecture on ‘The Classical and Traditional Nagpuri Tribal and Folk Music of Jharkhand’ on Friday, November 16. Rupa Sinha, Hindustani Classical singer, stage performer & music Tr. KVS Research Scholar UUC Bhubaneswar was the speaker on the occasion.

Classical vocalist and music composer Jharkhand, Pt. Shyama Prasad Neogi also attended the lecture.

Addressing the audience he expressed his joy for being a part of the program and also spoke about traditional folk music of Jharkhand.

During the lecture Sinha spoke about the various forms of Indian folk music as well as the similarities and differences between Nagpuri folk music and the other forms.

She also briefed about the varied musical instruments used with the different forms of folk music across the country.

Discussing the aspects of Nagpuri music, she majorly spoke about the place of music in fine arts, aesthetics of Indian music and the two main streams of music- classical and folk, Nagpuri folk song and tune, grammer of Nagpuri folk music and musical notes and the safeguard of ‘Akhra’- the place where music and dance takes place. 

Jharkhand folk music is divided in two parts- Janjaatiya Lok Sangeet and Sadaani Lok Sangeet and the instruments used in Nagpuri music are mandar, nagada and dholak.

 “It is an integral part of the lives of the tribal people. During the spring festival, the vibe of music overpowers the audience.

The play of ‘dumkach’ backed up by the beats of ‘mandar’ energizes the atmosphere in the wedding season, followed by the summer season bringing in the tunes of ‘udaasi’ spreading the flavor of sadness all over.

In the rainy season ‘pawas’ is sung to commemorate thundering and heavy downpour. Nest arrives the festivals known as ‘karma’ and ‘jeetiya’ reigniting the essence of ‘Akhra’.

 In the munda community ‘jadur’, ‘gena’ etc and in oraon community ‘khaddi’, ‘dudhiya’ etc illuminate the ‘akhra’ throughout the year”,Sinha elaborated.

Regional director IGNA- RCR, Dr. Ajay Kumar Mishra welcomed the chairperson, speaker, guests and participants where as Dr. Anjani Kumar Sinha gave a vote of thanks.