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Modern Social Forces in Indian Folk Songs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 July 2024

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Indian villages are not yet industrialized. Influences of modern technology on village life come mostly from outside. Industrialization has affected the urban centers and is bringing about a change in the relationship between these centers and folk societies, thereby influencing the latter as well.

Indian folk communities have not been isolated societies like the primitive tribes. They were closely connected with non-industrial urban centers and together with them formed regional cultures. Folk and urban cultures maintained a give and take relationship during the ages. “Folk tunes, regional songs and styles, even non-Indian melodies,” says Professor D. P. Mukerji “were incorporated into the classical texture, and the new classical style in its turn was always affecting folk music a great deal.”

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © 1956 Fédération Internationale des Sociétés de Philosophie / International Federation of Philosophical Societies (FISP)

References

1. This view of folk culture corresponds with that of George M. Foster in "What Is Folk Culture," American Anthropologist, Vol. 55 (April-June, 1953), pp. 159-173.

2. Indian Music (Poona, Kutub Publishers), pp. 9, 12.

3. This seems to be the view of Arden A. King, "A Note on Emergent Folk Cultures and World Culture Change," Social Forces, Vol. 31 (March, 1953), pp. 234-37.

4. Devendra Satyarthi, Bajat Ave Dhol (New Delhi, Asia Prakashan, 1952), p. 83.

5. Durga Shankar Prasad Singh, Bhojpuri Lok-Geet Men Karun Ras (Prayag, Hindi Sahitya Sammelan, 1945), p. 206.

6. Bajat Ave Dhol, p. 83.

7. Devendra Satyarthi, Bela Phoole Adhi Rat (Delhi, Rajhansa Prakashan, 1948), p. 365.

8. Devendra Satyarthi, Dharti Gati Hai (Delhi, Rajkamal Prakashan, 1948), p. 140.

9. Ram Naresh Tripathi, Gram Sahitya (Prayag, Hindi Mandir, 1951), Vol. I, p. 51.

10. Devendra Satyarthi, Dhire Baho Ganga (Delhi, Rajkamal Prakashan, 1948), p. 127.

11. Dhire Baho Ganga, p. 164.

12. Bajat Ave Dhol, p. 129.

13. Taken by Mr. R. N. Bansal on January I, 1954, from Dhoom Singh, district Saharan pur.

14. Krishna Deva Upadhyaya, Bhojpuri Gram Geet (Prayag, Hindi Sahitya Sammelan, 1948), Vol. 2, p. 152.

15. This song is specially difficult to translate, for it has many examples of onomatopoeia.

16. Bela Phoole Adhi Rat, p. 73.

17. Saffron used for toilet.

18. Butter clarified by boiling.

19. Bajat Ave Dhol, p. 67.

20. Dhire Baho Ganga, p. 32.

21 Saint.

22. Bela Phoole Adhi Rat, p. 54.

23. Dhire Baho Ganga, p. 164.

24. Taken from Saroj, a 16-year-old Rajput girl of Saharanpur district by Mr. R. N. Bansal on March 13, 1954.

25. A kind of large millet.

26. The clerk.

27. A minor official who keeps village records.

28. An official who collects revenue.

29. Woman's garment similar to petticoat.

30. Dharti Gati Hai, p. 112.

31. Dharti Gati Hai, p. 13.

32. Gram Sahitya, Vol. I, p. 19.

33. Bajat Av Dhol, p. 128.

34. Bela Phoole Adhi Rat, p. 380.

35. Ram Kishori Srivastava, Hindi Lok Geet (Allahabad, 1946), p. 18.

36 Caste of leather-workers.

37. A plant regarded sacred by the Hindus.

38. The caste of wine-sellers.

39. Bhojpuri Gram Geet, Vol. I, p. 349.

40. Bela Phoole Adhi Rat, pp. 399-400.

41. Ibid., p. 396.

42. Dhire Baho Ganga, p. 172.

43. A cereal.

44. Bhojpuri Lok Geet Men Karun Ras, p. 195.

45. Thin cakes fried in clarified butter.

46. A pudding made of rice and milk.

47. Husband's younger brother.

48. Bhojpuri Lok Geet Men Karun Ras, p. 123.

49. A kind of grass used as cattle fodder.

50. Bhojpuri Gram Geet, Vol. 2, p. 281.

51. Bela Phoole Adhi Rat, p. 43.

52. Krishna Deva Uppadhyaya, Bhojpuri Gram Geet (Prayag, Hindi Sahitya Sammelan, 1943), Vol. I, p. 353.

53. Bhojpuri Gram Geet, Vol. 2, p. 316.

54. B. A. Botkin, "Industrial Lore," Funk and Wagnall's Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology and Legend (New York, 1950), Vol. I, p. 522.

55. A term used for a European or Europeanized lady.

56. A corrupt form of "good morning."

57. Bhojpuri Lok Geet Men Karun Ras, p. 188.

58. Bhojpuri Gram Geet, Vol. I, p. 292.

Note: All translations of folk songs given in this text were made by the author.