SOUVIK CHAKRABORTY
THE FORGOTTEN MUSICALITY OF TUSU
As we are sinking head-and-shoulders into all the remixes and electroproduced music , there needs to be an initiative to learn , pause and reflect upon our own cultures and fast-eroding reservoirs of indigenous music .
The folk music from the eastern region had been of particular interest to me , largely owing to the nature of its presentation and the natural approach to their rituals and songs .
The tusu , jhumur , bhadu , and other singing rituals of the Bankura , Purulia , and Burdwan districts are particularly fascinating . The ripples of the cultures resonate through many communities in Jharkhand and the northeastern states . Though many of these festivals find a place in the popular media owing to the press coverage and the attention brought to them by the corporatization around them , it is a festival like Tusu that remains with us through a handful of videos on YouTube .
Tusu is a very important harvest festival celebrated in November or the first day of the month of " Poush ".
Tusu songs are dedicated often to the harvesting times , nature , and the unmarried girls of the community . The tusu singing style has a remarkable rustic flavor to it . The characteristic tune and lyrics of these songs reflect the humble lives of the peasants of the land . The sheer directness of expression and a love for the countryside emanates through the soul of their music .
In its traditional form , the songs are in worship of the goddess . But , the unifying power of music and the spirit of the community makes this a secular extravaganza where the Christians , Hindus , or any other religion participate along with the Adivasis .
No matter how many head bobbing EDM shows you have been to , the folk music festivals of rural India , are going to be a fresh and unique experience for you . The remarkable cockfights , the nachan dance , or the spellbinding chou dance , all add color to such folk musicals .
The rhythmic quality and the lyrical tone of the songs , speak of very distinct themes . Many of these verses are in gratitude to the bounties of nature . One of the geet has the following lyrics : " You are joyful in the water ; you are playing in the water , who is yours in the water ? / Ask yourself in your mind , water is the marital family ’. The veneration towards the elemental forces like water , wind , and soil can be seen through many songs .
Thanks to the renewed interest in the communities that there are still some fresh attempts to refurbishing the old tunes in a modern thematic approach . From global , political , mythological , or even local love interests ; the songs range through a high dynamic range of banter , satire , and light-hearted digs .
Most traditional artforms like folk music had survived the test of time owing to its nature of ethnic preservation and symbiotic developments across regions .
The devotion and the spirituality associated with the music constitute a strong collective faith . The lyrical melodies are set to tune by singing the first two lines and then the chorus follows after . Nevertheless , this time of the harvesting season also marks a time of jubilation and celebration of prosperity . So , the fun and frolic resound in the air and the voices of the countryfolk .
The societal structure and the racial pedigree of the communities constitute the essence of the melodies of these folk festivals . The songs may often sound like a love ballad where the tusu might be a representational incarnate of an unmarried girl . The romanticization is unmissable here : “ I promise to provide you forever with happiness / I welcome you to a meal this Makar Sankranti .” | “ She has not been bought for cheap money / and we will not allow our Tusu to be thrown into water ”. | " I have been chasing you in vain , I think there is something wrong in my love ." | “ Where did you get this red sari from / Is it that rich merchant from the West ?” | “ Sweetheart ! Let ' s elope from this country . Let ' s fly to some unknown land .”
Finally , just like a seed is left to grow with water and sunshine , the idol of Tusu is immersed in the water . This is in synchronous to the customs of marriage and the departure of the bride to her in-laws . The songs now have a melancholic tune to them .
The Score Magazine highonscore . com
15