The Soulful Strains of Banaras: Exploring Bhojpuri and Folk Music Traditions

Bhojpuri folk music, widely celebrated in Banaras, is known for its lively rhythms and evocative lyrics. Sung in the Bhojpuri dialect, these songs capture themes of love, migration, festivals, and rural life. Key forms include:

Birha: A soulful narrative style, often sung by men, recounting tales of separation and longing. Accompanied by simple instruments like the harmonium and dholak, birha resonates with migrant workers reminiscing about their homeland.

Kajri: Sung during the monsoon, kajri expresses the longing of women for their lovers, with lilting melodies evoking the rain-soaked landscapes of Purvanchal.

Chaiti: Performed during the Chaitra month, these devotional songs honor Lord Rama and reflect the spiritual ethos of Banaras.

Nirgun Bhajans: Popularized by mystic poets like Kabir, these songs explore philosophical and spiritual themes, blending folk melodies with profound lyrics.

Banaras serves as a hub for these forms, with performances often held at ghats, temples, and village gatherings, accompanied by instruments like the nagara, manjira, and sarangi.

Bhojpuri folk music is deeply tied to Banaras’s social fabric. It thrives during festivals like Holi, Chhath Puja, and Nag Panchami, where songs like Phagua (Holi songs) and Chhath geet fill the air with celebration. These songs preserve oral histories, passing down stories of local heroes, deities, and traditions. For instance, the folk ballads of Raja Chait Singh, a historical figure from Banaras, are still sung in rural areas.

The music also reflects the challenges of migration, a recurring theme in Bhojpuri culture. Songs about leaving home for cities like Mumbai or Delhi strike a chord with Banaras’s diaspora, making folk music a bridge between rural roots and urban realities.

In recent decades, Bhojpuri folk music has undergone a renaissance, fueled by the Bhojpuri film industry and digital platforms. Artists like Kalpana Patowary and Malini Awasthi have brought folk forms like kajri and chaiti to global audiences, blending traditional melodies with contemporary arrangements. Banaras-based musicians often perform at events like the Kajri Utsav, held annually in Varanasi, showcasing the versatility of these forms.

Digital platforms have further amplified Bhojpuri music’s reach. Websites like those inspired by Mamta Music offer remixed versions of folk songs, blending traditional Bhojpuri tunes with modern beats. Tracks like Sawan Me Khail Leli Lahasun Pyaz gain popularity through DJ remixes, appealing to younger audiences while preserving folk elements.

Banaras remains a nurturing ground for folk music, with institutions like the Sankat Mochan Temple hosting performances and local akhadas (music groups) training young artists. However, challenges persist. The rise of commercial music and urban migration threatens traditional forms, as younger generations gravitate toward Bollywood or pop. Efforts by organizations like the Sangeet Natak Akademi and local NGOs aim to document and promote folk music through workshops and festivals.

> Malini Awasthi: A Padma Shri recipient, her renditions of thumri and kajri capture Banaras’s folk spirit.

> Kalpana Patowary: Known as the “Bhojpuri Shakti,” she revitalizes folk songs with modern flair.

> Bhawani Shankar Mishra: A Banaras-based birha singer whose performances draw crowds at local melas.

Bhojpuri and Purvanchal folk music is the heartbeat of Banaras, weaving stories of love, devotion, and celebration into the city’s cultural landscape. From the haunting strains of birha to the festive rhythms of chaiti, these songs carry the essence of Varanasi’s people. As Banaras embraces modernity, its folk music continues to evolve, bridging tradition and innovation in a timeless melody.

Discover Bhojpuri folk at Varanasi’s Kajri Utsav or explore performances at Assi Ghat during Chhath Puja.