music
The music of Assam, a state in the northeastern part of India, can be divided into various categories of folk music. In recent
times starting the late eighties popular artistes have modernized the music
that caters to local popular demand.
A
basic characteristic of the ethnic music of Assam is its descending scale which
distinguishes it from the raga-based or folk music from the rest of India. This
style is shared by ethnic music of the hill people surrounding the state of
Assam, and by the music of Thailand,Myanmar and China. Furthermore, the tunes are structured in a pyramid, in contrast
to the music of rest of India which is meend based. Assam is a state with valleys and hills,
and the home of many ethnic tribes. Just as the geography and varied people
co-exist, the pulsating Bihu songs co-exist with
languorous music of other forms.
Music
has been imperative in the Assamese subsistence. There is no precise
attestation to substantiate the dawning of Assamese music, however, it could be
stated that Assam has been musically affluent since the naissance of the mighty
Brahmaputra.
Historians
claim that a distinctive culture of the conglomeration of Songs, Musical
Instruments and Dance was observed in Assam during the 2nd century. The legend
of Princess Usha of Sonitpur and her cohort Chitralekha also enlighten us on
the Musical expertise of the Assamese women. History also claims that Assamese
Music was admired even in China.
During
the Vedic era Assam was introduced with Ragas and Dhrupad Shailee of the Indian
Classical music. The connoisseurs however have divided the classical Assamese
music into two parts – Borgeet and Ojapali. The composers of Borgeet Mahapurush
Srimanta Shankardev and his disciple Madhabdev gave a new definition to the
Assamese music.
| art
Assam Arts and Crafts
The dexterity of the people of Assam in craftsmanship had always
been seen. The arts and craft of Assam were known through the works of cane and
bamboo, silk fabrics, colourful Assamese Japi(headgear), terracottas, pottery,
metal work and toys.
¤ Cane and Bamboo
Among the work of this craftsmanship is the work of Japi(headgear) most
popular. All of the items ranging from the ordinary household goods to the
construction of houses are made out of this. Cane and furniture had found a way
to the domestic market as well as the export market.
¤ Handloom
One of the finest silk made in India is made in Assam and there are a wide
range of silk cloth available. Among the silk, the Muga is the most elegant
which are of naturally rich golden colour. The skill to weave was used to be
one of the eligibility of a young girl for a marriage. So it might be the
reason why Assam has the highest concentration of handlooms and weavers in
India.
¤ Teracottas
The practice of making terracottas has been flourishing throughout the ages and
this craftsmanship has been a result of learning by the younger generation from
the older ones. Some of the common figures start from the figures of Gods to
mythological characters.
¤ Pottery
The two potter communities namely the Kumars and the Hiras are the surviving
ones found in Assam. The Kumars use the wheel to produce their pots but the
Hiras do not use the wheel and they are the only one in the world to make pots
without a wheel. Some of the products are earthen pot and pitchers, plates,
incense stick holders and earthen lamps.
¤ Metal Work
The workmanship of this craft can be found in the traditional utensils and
fancy articles. Fancy articles like Xorai and Bota used for offering betel-nut
and paan have been popular and used till now. Hajo and Sarthebari, two
townships near Guwahati has the whole population working in metal. The most
used metals are the Bell-metal and brass.
¤ Toys
Clay toys, pith, wooden and bamboo toys, cloth toys, cloth-and-mud toys are the
classification of the types of toys produced in Assam. Taking all the figures
of toys in account, the toys in human figures like dolls and brides and grooms
are the most common ones but a variety of animal forms also exist in this
craftsmanship. The clay toys are in the form of gods, goddesses and other
mythological figures. Clays of Pith or Indian cork made in the Goalpara region
have been popular for centuries.
| dance
Every element of the
Assamese culture, be it the language, traditional crafts, performing arts,
festivity and beliefs, there are many other local elements which are always
present in a Hinduised / Sanskritised form. Thus, such a culture has given rise
to several local traditional art forms, like the Bihu dance and the Ankiya Nat,
which are famous in Orissa.
Bihu Dance
The Bihu is
considered as feature of folk dance of Assam and is enjoyed by all sections of
society. It is the most popular & colorful folk dance of Assam.
Ankiya Nat
It is believed that
Ankiya Nat is a one-act play, initiated by Sankardeva. Shankardeva composed
various forms of literary kind of work like Bargeet, Ojha Pali songs and
numerous dances, which were incorporated into the dance drama, termed as Ankiya
Nat.
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