Folk Culture Cell Operating in Mymensingh

A Folk Culture Cell of Mymensingh District's Shilpakala Academy began its journey this month, to preserve traditional songs and palas of Mymensingh region.

The cell organised a discussion on its activities and future plans at District Shilpakala Academy auditorium on Sunday evening. The meeting, titled “Haor Jonglar Gaan”, was attended by artistes, cultural personalities, academics and journalists.

The cell is working with a view to preserving the original tune and lyrics of folk songs, a century-old rich tradition of Mymensingh region. The three-member cell is being supported by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, said sources.

Flautist Shahabuddin Khan (also convener of the cell), baul artistes Gouranga Adhitya and Abdus Salam, Prof Afzal Rahman of Bengali Department of Govt Anando Mohan College, president of Sandipon Sangskritik Sangstha Mahbub Hossain Sharif, secretary of Shilpakala Academy Shamsul Haque, and Nazrul artiste Ashik Sarker Tushar attended the session among others. Arzu Parves, district cultural officer, also member secretary of the cell, delivered the welcome speech. 

An open discussion featuring participation from an audience was held, where suggestions on preservation and collection of folk music from Mymensingh region (that includes Mymensingh, Netrakona, Kishoreganj, Tangail, Jamalpur and Sherpur) were raised. 

The cell was said to have started its official work on June 1, and it has already started to collect folk music from different areas of Mymesningh region. Recording of baul songs has already started at Shilpakala Academy's studio, said sources. 

Different traditional palas of this region like jari, ekdil, gazir gaan, gainer geet and ghatu gaan will also be collected for preservation with their original melody, lyrics and performing style, they added.

The meeting was followed by an iftar party.