Folk song from Bangladesh needed ASAP

Subject: Folk song from Bangladesh needed ASAP
From: TIA
Date: 02 Apr 08 - 12:49 AM

Just got a gig playing at a reception honoring 2006 Nobel winner Muhammad Yunnus. We play world folk, but have nothing from his native Bangladesh. Anyone know anything good? Any assistance greatly appreciated.

Subject: RE: Folk song from Bangladesh needed ASAP
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Apr 08 - 01:13 AM

Unless you know the language this probably won't do you any good, but if you put "traditional Bangla music" in the search at youtube, things like this come up. Here's Another Sample.

Not sure if she ever sings in English, but the write up with this one sounds fascinating:

Certain specific tendencies can be observed in the works of Tagore as a composer in the different phases of his life. In the initial stages as a composer we see a profound influence of North Indian classical music. Later in the second stage the classical structure of his compositions remained, but it was carefully fused with strains borrowed from the western music. Mostly old English ballads, Scottish and Irish country numbers were adopted as well. At this stage was born the 1st Indian opera of its kind the Valmiki Pratibha followed by the Kaalmrigaya and the Mayar-Khela.
The musical opera Kalmrigaya, describes the incident of the hunting by Raja Dashrath and the accidental killing of Sindhu Muni. Its two amazing songs in the last (6th) scene really touch the heart. Wish you will enjoy the recitation and songs! (Please forgive my faults, as I'm not a professional singer.)

The songs she sings are haunting and beautiful, even if I don't know the language.

Sorry, I know none of this helps, but it is interesting!

Subject: RE: Folk song from Bangladesh needed ASAP
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Apr 08 - 01:26 AM

Here's a little more about their folk music:

Most prevalent of folk songs and music traditions include Bhatiali, Baul, Marfati, Murshidi and Bhawaiya. Lyricists like Lalon Shah, Hason Raja, Kangal Harinath, Romesh Shill, Abbas Uddin and many unknown anonymous lyricsts have enriched the tradition of folk songs of Bangladesh.

Lots of Bengali songs recorded in the field in Bangladesh: click, again all in their native language.

Getting closer, here are some kids' songs in Bangla and English, but no tunes! Click.

There are some neat sound files in THIS.

Have fun and congrats on the gig!

Subject: RE: Folk song from Bangladesh needed ASAP
From: Jack Campin
Date: 02 Apr 08 - 04:23 AM

There was an old recording by Deben Bhattacharya that UNESCO sponsored, around 1960 - I think it got onto Folkways, in which case it will be available for download (Windows users only).

There was a compilation of folk recordings from all over India that got a rave review on mustrad.org.uk, but their site has been rejigged so I can't access it on this machine any more.

Subject: RE: Folk song from Bangladesh needed ASAP
From: GUEST,TIA
Date: 02 Apr 08 - 06:59 PM

Thanks for the tips. No problem with the language (well, big problem, but not mine). I can't sing a bit, so just the tune needed. Found a lot of stuff on YouTube (thanks Kat) that I can probably imitate reasonably well (there's even one of a fellow on a train playing something that looks like a short scale banjo - very convenient). Now, I'm off to Google "Deben Bhattacharya" (thanks Jack).

Subject: RE: Folk song from Bangladesh needed ASAP
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 03 Apr 08 - 03:54 PM

Here's a link to a page with eighteen of Tagore's songs .

Subject: RE: Folk song from Bangladesh needed ASAP
From: GUEST,TIA
Date: 03 Apr 08 - 04:09 PM

Wow, thanks. A link from your link led to a whole page (hundreds!) of Bengali song files.
Ouch. Now I have to listen to them all and choose which to work out for our group.

Subject: RE: Folk song from Bangladesh needed ASAP
From: GUEST,TIA
Date: 06 Apr 08 - 11:11 PM

Under control (I think). A colleague of mine has a graduate student from Bangladesh who will teach us the Bengali equivalent of
Tom Dooley (or somesuch I hope).

Subject: RE: Folk song from Bangladesh needed ASAP
From: katlaughing
Date: 06 Apr 08 - 11:16 PM

Oh, kewl! I'd love to hear that one!