Music of West Bengal
| Music of India | |
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 A Lady Playing the Tanpura, ca. 1735 (Rajasthan) |
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| Media and performance | |
| Music awards | |
| Music festivals | |
| Music media | |
| Nationalistic and patriotic songs | |
| National anthem | Jana Gana Mana |
| Other | Vande Mataram |
| Regional music | |
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The music of West Bengal includes multiple indigenous musical genres such as Baul, Bishnupuri Classical, Kirtan, Shyama Sangeet, Rabindra Sangeet, Nazrul Geeti, Atulprasadi, Dwijendrageeti, Kantageeti, Ganasangeet, Adhunik Gaan, Bangla Rock etc. The city of Darjeeling, which has a large number of Nepali people, is a center for Nepali rock too.
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Bishnupur Gharana [edit]
The Bishnupur Gharana is the sole Classical (Drupad) gharana of Bengal. It originated in Bishnupur, Bankura by the court musicians of the Malla Kings.[1] Bahadur Khan of Delhi, a descendant of the Tansen, was the father of Bishnupur Gharana. Bahadur Khan was brought to Bishnupur by Malla King Raghunath Singha II.
Baul sangeet [edit]
The bauls are a mystic group of singers and musicals, immensely popular in the countryside. They perform using a khamak, ektara and dotara.
Rabindra Sangeet [edit]
Shyama Sangeet [edit]
Nazrul Geeti [edit]
Dwijendrageeti [edit]
Atulprasadi [edit]
Atulprasadi (Bengali: অতুলপ্রসাদী) or the Songs of Atulprasad Sen (1871–1934), one of the major lyricist and composers of early-modern period, is also widely popular in Pachimbanga.[2] Atul Prasad is credited with introducing the Thumri style in Bengali music.[2] His songs centred around three broad subjects - patriotism, devotion and love.[2]
Adhunik [edit]
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Jeebonmukhi [edit]
There is a new genre in Bangla music called ‘Jibonmukhi Gaan’. Jibonmukhi gaan means ‘songs about life’. Suman Chattapaddhay first started this type of music by writing songs about everyday life and ordinary people. Eventually Nachiketa Chakraborty, Anjan Dutt, Shilajit Majumdar and many others have followed Suman’s footsteps.
Band Music and Bangla Rock [edit]
Mohiner Ghoraguli is widely credited with being the first Bangla Band and also India's first. Later, as Western influences became more widespread, the Bangla band became popular with young people during the 1980s and 1990s, both in India and Bangladesh, and has since become entrenched in modern Bengali culture. Bangla bands use a wide variety of styles such as rock, pop, hard rock, heavy metal, grunge, folk, and fusion. Their music is influenced both by popular American music as well as traditional Bengali folk music such as shyama sangeet and baul. Like popular music in other countries, Bangla bands are very popular among Bengali young people.
Popular Rock Bands
| Year formed | Band name | Genre | Language |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Moheener Ghoraguli | Bangla rock | Bengali |
| 1990 | Krosswindz | Bangla rock, fusion | Bengali, English, Hindi |
| 1991 | Chandrabindoo | Bangla rock | Bengali |
| 1992 | Cactus | Bangla rock, hard rock | Bengali |
| 1996 | Hip Pocket | Rock, hard rock | English |
| 1998 | Fossils | Bangla rock, hard rock, metal | Bengali, English, Hindi |
| 1999 | Bhoomi | Bangla rock | Bengali |
| 1999 | Skinny Alley | Rock, alternative rock | English |
| 1999 | Lakkhichhara | Bangla rock | Bengali |
| 2001 | Cassini's Division | Rock, alternative rock | English |
| 2002 | Insomnia | Bangla rock, alternative, nu metal | English, Bengali |
| 2005 | Prithibi | Bangla rock | Bengali |
| 2005 | Calcutta Blues | Bangla rock | Bengali |
| 2006 | Pinknoise | Experimental rock, alternative rock | English |
| 2006 | Pseudonym | Alternative rock, hard rock | English |
| 2007 | Five Little Indians | Alternative rock | English |
| 2007 | Chronic Xorn | Metal, metalcore | English |
| 2010 | Underground Authority | Alternative rock, rap rock, hard rock | Hindi, English, Bengali |
Nepali Rock [edit]
Rock at Someplace Else (Kolkata) [edit]
Someplace Else is a pub in Kolkata which features daily performances by live bands. Since 1994 it has been promoting different kinds of music, and established artists share the space with aspiring performers. The pub is situated inside the Park Hotel, and regarded as a heritage spot of the city. Famous bands like Skinny Alley, Hip Pocket (a regular band), Lou Majaw, Prestorika, Parikrama, Indian Ocean, Soulmate, Cassini's Division, Underground Authority, The Supersonics and many international musical acts have performed in this pub.[3] International artists like Mumford & Sons, Laura Marling, QED (band), Dub FX and many more have performed in this pub. The pub hosts 3285 hours of live music every year which is the highest anywhere in India (approximately nine hours of live music everyday).
Daily Bands [edit]
| Day | Bands |
|---|---|
| Monday | Open Mind (Open Mic Session) and Guest Band |
| Tuesday | Krosswindz |
| Wednesday | Hip Pocket and Pseudonym |
| Thursday | Span |
| Friday | Hip Pocket and Insomnia |
| Saturday | Guest Band and Saturday Night Blues |
| Sunday | Orient Express and Crystal Grass |
See also [edit]
- Bengali folk literature
- Culture of Bengal
- Culture of India
- Culture of West Bengal
- Music of Bangladesh
- Music of Bengal
- Music of India
References [edit]
- ^ "Culture of Bishnupur". Retrieved 2011-12-05.
- ^ a b c Arnold, Alison (2000). The Garland Encyclopedia of World Music. Taylor & Francis. p. 851. ISBN 0-8240-4946-2.
- ^ "Someplace Else, Kolkata - Rock Bands". The Times of India. Jun 25, 2011.
