Roaming musicians: All for the love of music

Nityananda Sarkar has been singing in the streets across the country for the last 25 years with his family members and acquaintances as part of his troupe of floating musicians.

Hailing from Italy village under Singra upazila of Natore, Nityananda, 60, is seen with his troupe singing at the Bijoy Mela ground and at a wholesale kitchen market in Manikganj town every Sunday evening and Monday morning respectively.  

The troupe members address themselves as "gaaner feriwala (street singers)", and travel to different districts to perform songs.

Talking to The Daily Star, Nityananda, a Baul singer, said he along with his wife, Gaurimala Sarkar, once used to perform Kirtans (spiritual songs popular among Hindu community) on stages but could not continue due to financial constraints. Later he sought other means to maintain their livelihood.

But they did not give up. They continued to pursue music as far as they could, and now they have troupe of seven members.

Besides the couple, the troupe includes their elder son Gautam Sarkar who plays dhol, husband of Gaurimala's sister Bidhan Sarkar who plays harmonium, and another Baul singer from Bogura – Mohammad Shakil Sarkar, who sings for the troupe. The couple's younger son and daughter -- Gobinda Sarkar, 11, and Kamala Sarkar, 13, -- also sing and accompany the troupe.

Gourimala Sarkar, 50, who plays mandira (a type of percussion), said the couple has four sons and three daughters. Among them, three are involved in the troupe while two sons – Gopal Sarkar, 24, and Ganesh Sarkar, 16, -- chose to pursue other different professions. Their elder daughter Adhuri Sarkar, 18, lives with them in the house.

Among the artistes, Bidhan Sarkar and Mohammad Shakil Sarkar are challenged with sight and address themselves as Andha-Baul before their names.

"We grew up travelling with the troupe to different areas and learning the songs performed by them, which we also now sing with the troupe," Kamala Sarkar said, adding that they never got a chance to learn to read and write.

Shakil Sarker, 45, said he fell in love with music at an early age.

"I learnt to sing by listening to songs on the radio, television and from artists at various places. Then I began singing on the streets," he said.

Shakil was introduced to the troupe when they went to Bogura 15 years ago. He then joined the troupe.

"I sing with the troupe for months and then return to my family for a few days' break. I get a portion of the income generated by the troupe which I hand over to my wife, who takes care of my 8-year-old son Mohammad Arman, and 6-year-old daughter Sanjida Akhter Sanu," he said.

"The musicians in the troupe, who address themselves as 'ganeer feriwala' or 'street singers', are very talented," said Mustafijur Rahman Mamun, general secretary of Manikganj district unit of Bangladesh Udichi Shilpi Goshthi.

"There are many singers like them across the country who sing on the streets for their love of music and for livelihood. Many of them are talented, and would go a long way if they get support," Mamun also said.

He called upon the government to patronise these floating musicians across the country.

The government will take initiative if proposal is made in this regard from the district level, said Salina Shyada Sultana Akhter, cultural officer at Manikganj district unit of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.

"We would prepare a list of such artistes and submit it along with a proposal to the government for supporting them," Salina added.

Translated by Anindya J Ayan.