Ranchi, August 5, 2013: Sawan’, the season devoted to Lord Shiva has huge devotees listening to the special devotional songs in Bhojpuri and Hindi. But, unfortunately there are few devotees who listen the same in the local languages of Jharkhand.

“The craze for listening devotional songs in tribal languages like Nagpuri, Mundari, Sadri and Santhali is not much in Sawan. In fact, recordings and shootings of Jharkhandi films known as Jollywood also not focuses much on this season,” said Ranchi based singer Chumki Roy.

Stating the impact of low popularity of Jollywood among audience in this ‘Bol Bam’ month, noted local and regional music composer Bulu Ghosh said, “We do not gain any financial benefit during this month as compared to Bhojpuri and Hindi songs.”

BN Tiwari associated with the Jollywood and the Bhojpuri film industry since a long time had a comparative reason for this lack of music interest. “Be it Nagpuri or Mundari, most of the Jharkhand folk songs are sung in the similar rhythm whereas Bhojpuri songs have vibrant flows attracting song listeners from all the community groups,” he said.

Adding more to this issue, classical singer Shailendra Pathak informed that for the local singers performing at Doordarshan (DD) and All India Radio (AIR), singing a song on Saawan is not a matter of concern. “We sing whatever type of song we are assigned by the DD or AIR officials,” said Pathak.

Jharkhand being a tribal belt has a soft corner for tribal languages among the regular singing fraternity members of Jollywood. Describing this affinity, Chumki Roy said, “Tribal songs are more in demand during our native land festivals comprising Sarhul and Karma.”

“Most of the tribals here are Christians. As an impact of this Christianity our songs are sung and sold more on the occasions of Christmas and Good Friday,” Latehar district singer Nazir Hasan said. 

Source: The Pionerr, DT. August 5, 2013.