bhartiyata
majority Bengali Hindus. Since Bengal is a part of India, its
culture has been an amalgamation of predominant Hindu
culture with the secular Bengali culture which have drawn
its inspiration from the modern Western culture.
Music and dance
The Baul tradition is a unique heritage of Bengali folk
music, which has also been influenced by regional music
traditions. Other folk music forms include Gombhira, Bha-
waiya, kirtans, and Gajan festival music. Folk music in West
Bengal is often accompanied by the ektara, a one-stringed
instrument. West Bengal also has an heritage in North
Indian classical music. The state is recognised for its appre-
ciation of rabindra sangeet (songs written by Rabindranath
Tagore) and Indian classical music. Popular music genres
include adhunik songs. Since the early 1990s, new gen-
res have emerged, including one comprising alternative
folk–rock Bengali bands. Another new style, jibonmukhi
gaan (“songs about life”), is based on realism.
Bengali dance forms draw from folk traditions, especially
those of the tribal groups, as well as the broader Indian
dance traditions. Chau dance of Purulia is a rare form of
APRIL 2018 |
47