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Folk music
Folk songs are mostly sung by Bihari amateurs all over the state.
The Thumar or Barahmasa is sung by female in groups when they are
engaged in paddy plantation. When grinding corn in Jata or Chakki, they
sing Jatusari. Sohar is sung on the occasion of child-birth and Sumangali,
when marriage rites are to conclude.
In early nineteenth century Bihar, music was cultivated
by certain professional classes alone and rich men extended generous patronage
to musicians, especially to superior female artistes who were allowed
small endowments.
The Hindu Kathaks went about in-groups of three or four
and sang with Tamburu, Sarangi, Majira and dholak accompaniment,
mostly from Jaideva's 'Geet Govinda'. They sang common songs and
love songs of Bengal. The Yajaks were employed at funerals, the Bhajaniyas
and Kirtaniyas were employed by Brahmans to sing holy songs after the
morning prayer, > Roshan Chouki parties were employed to play on pipes
and drums and also to accompany Muharram processions. The Pamarias, men
and women, who were mostly Muslims, thronged to sing where marriages were
being held and birth has taken place and were satisfied only when they
were given a handsome remuneration. Most women sang at marriage ceremonies.
There was also a class of dancing boys called Bhakliyas.
These dancers had no fixed abode. They came to Bihar to celebrate Holy
in the month of Chaitra.
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