Hi Charley,

That's very interesting, thanks! Great to have those lyrics. For anyone else interested, I did a quick search and found a sample clip of the Boarding Party's rendition of this Bengali song, HERE (wait a minute, it will start up automatically).

This thread is a potential minefield for mistranscribed East Asian shanties, not to mention some attrocious Western ethnocentric ditties which make fun of the indigenous people.
You are right. But I personally don't mind; all examples are instructive. I'll stand guard, and, if need be, post Azizi as sentry :)

Actually, Charley has inspired me to think harder about what my interest is in this subject. I created the thread without thinking about that too much, just as a place to dump in references when they pop up on the radar. For that reason, open-ended seems most appropriate. On reflecting on what my personal interest probably is though, I realized that I'm focusing on the intersections/interactions between Indian maritime music/lore and the Anglo-phone (?or Global/International?) field of maritime music. I suppose if I were after information and knowledge of specific, authentic Indian traditions then I would first choose a specific area and then delve into the literature and fieldwork on-site.

So I am most curious, this being the forum, about the traditions and references and influences and...that have emerged through the interactions between Indian and non-Indian sailors and through the historical involvement of Indians in the international sea trade and such. Again, not to limit any discussions whatsoever! Keep going...!

Gibb Sahib, Ek Number Burra Malum