muZik bangla

Flute-makers in the northern districts including Dinajpur, Rangpur and Nilphamari are facing harsh times, as the demand for their products has waned. There has been no government initiative to create national and international market for their craft, according to the flute-makers and traders.

Lack of bamboo, required for making the musical instrument, has also added to the crisis. “There have been isolated efforts by the government to improve the trade and products,” said Narayan Chandra Roy, a flute-maker from Taraganj, Rangpur sadar upazila, who was vending his products here in Dinajpur recently.

He added that about ten year back, his products were exported to India and England but now even the number of domestic buyers has declined. Marketing continues to be a big challenge for flutes.

A cultural activist of Dinajpur also suggested that the government should promote and encourage small businesses and handicrafts by exporting the products to other countries.

Harpal Biswas, a local trader, sells around 10/15 flutes per day at present, but claims to have sold 100/150 ten years back.

“I’ve been in this trade forever. My father used to make flutes too. Currently, Buyers of our products are mostly local musicians and children, and that doesn’t cut it,” he added.

Many of the families who had been flute-makers for generations, have moved on to other others professions. The number of craftsmen has been declining since the mid ‘80. Over the last three decades, the number of these families in the region has decreased from 150 to 20. Many have migrated to India as well.

Talking to this correspondent recently, the flute-makers disappointedly said that the urban populace is now opting for electronic musical instruments; as a result, traditional handmade instruments like flutes are losing market.

Kongkon Karmaker

Rabindra sangeet is one of the best-known genres of Bangla music outside Bengal. The main origin of Rabindra sangeet is from the works of Nobel laureate poet, novelist and play writer, Rabindranath Tagore. (Rabindra sangeet literally means music of Rabindra). Rabindra sangeet itself is broadly classified into few sub-genres: * puja porjai (prayer songs) * prem porjai (love songs) [some argue prem porjai is actually a part of puja porjai] * bichitra porjai (variety songs) * swadesh porjai (patriotic songs) * (seasonal songs) All categories are tied by a common theme of philosophy and love. Tagore also composed most of the songs himself. Hence, a common compositional similarity is visible. All songs are based on minor variations of Sub-continental musical modes or ragas. On the other hand some songs are fundamental creation of Tagore. Also he has composed some songs based on European music. He learned about western music while living in England for about 1 year 5 months during his first visit in the year of 1878 at the age of 17. After return from England he composed a music drama "Balmikiprotiva". After grand success of this he composed another musical drama "Kalmrigoya" in few years. Both of these contain songs based on western music. We don't see any western based songs after the age of 33. Rabindranath went to England second time in 1882. However, he only stayed there a month or two. At this time he showed less interest in western music. From 1882 until 1885 he only composed 3 songs with flavour of European music. Tagore used ragaas while composing these songs as such anyone can identify them as rabindra sangeet.