S DILIP ROY,
Lalmonirhat
In the remote Sonahat village under Kaliganj upazila of Lalmonirhat, a chorus of young voices singing “Manush Bhajle Sonar Manush Hobi” (If you preach humanity, you’ll become a person with a heart of gold) could be heard from afar.
A small signboard outside a tin-roofed house read “Karmoloy Gurugriha”. Inside, around 60 to 70 children sat on mats. Some were playing the harmonium, some practising rhythm on the dotara (a two-string local instrument), while others were singing or playing other instruments.
Villagers stood around, mesmerised by the melody.
“At our Gurugriha, we conduct classes twice a week -- on Fridays and Saturdays -- where we teach folk songs and traditional instruments. Children from rural areas usually have no access to cultural education, so we’re trying to give them that opportunity here,” said Guru Nityananda Roy, the instructor.
“Mayer Tori”, a cultural organisation, runs the music school. As part of the initiative, over 500 children in several remote villages across Lalmonirhat and Kurigram districts are learning traditional Bangladeshi folk genres such as Lalon Geeti, Marfati, Murshidi, Bhawaiya, Palli Geeti, and other forms of rural songs.
The children are also learning to play traditional instruments, including the dotara, ektara, khamak, sarinda, tabla, flute, Bangla dhol, and violin.
Suraloy Gurugriha in Dewdoba village under Aditmari upazila of Lalmonirhat is also engaged in a similar effort under the initiative.
Guru Lopideb Nath, instructor at Suraloy Gurugriha, said, “Our students are dedicated. They don’t just learn songs; they learn values -- respect, compassion, and empathy.”
In Halmajipara village under Kurigram’s Phulbari upazila, Fakirul Islam instructs children under the same initiative.
“Most of our students come from working-class families. Through folk music, they dream of a brighter life. We are proud of them,” he said.
Norwegian poet, photographer, and researcher Wera Saether, deeply moved by Bangladeshi folk culture, Speaking
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