Origin of Bhojpuri music is quite unclear but the earliest form of Bhojpuri music song today isNirguna was used to be sung byKabir.[4] Earlier on event occasions likeChhath or wedding these folks songs were used to be sung by people.
The modern form of Bhojpuri music generated from Bollywood movies of 1950s. Later after the release of the first Bhojpuri FilmGanga Maiyya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo the modernisation of Bhojpuri folk songs happened along with a generation of Modern Bhojpuri music.
Different caste inBhojpuri region have their own folk songs.Biraha belongs to theAhir or Yadav caste, some songs belong toDusadh, Kaharwa to Kanhars and so on.
The traditional music of Bhojpuri is either sung is special occasions like weddings, child birth, festivals or in every month ofVikram Samvat.
Barahmasa : Barahmasa refers to songs describing a widow's pain of separation each month of the year.[8]
Biraha : The word Biraha is derived from the Sanskrit wordvirah which meansseparation. Birha is a lengthy narrative tale which is sung to a series of melodic fragments.[9]
Chaiti : Chaiti is sung during the Chait month (March-April), celebrating the arrival of spring. These songs are filled with the joys of nature’s rebirth, making them a symbol of hope and renewal.
Chhath Geet : It is sung duringChhath Puja. These songs praise the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya and express the fasting people’s enthusiasm and faith. The songs also tell about the importance of natural resources, and the conservation and use of diversity for the benefit of human welfare.[10]
Godhan Geet : These songs are sung on the occasion of Godhan festival.[11]
Godna Geet : Traditional songs for tattooing rituals.[12]
Janeo Geet : These songs are sung during Upnayan Sanskar (sacred thread ceremony).[13]
Jantsar : These songs are sung by women while grinding something in a hand-mill made of stone (jāṃtā). These songs describe the hard and painful labour undergone by women who grindwheat in heavyGrinding wheel.[14]
Jhumar : The Jhumar is a song of gaiety sung on festive occasions, especially weddings.[16]
Kajari : Kajari is sung during the season of Monsoon or in the month ofSawan.
Lachari : These are amusing, gently teasing songs sung by women during wedding ceremonies.[17]
Nirbani : These songs are sung on the occasion ofMarriage byChamar women.
Nirgun : Nirgun songs are spiritual in nature and focus on the formless and attribute-less divine, often praising Lord Rama, Lord Krishna, or other deities. These songs carry profound philosophical messages and delve into the deeper meaning of life and existence.[18]
Pachra : It is a song genre sung in the praise ofGoddess Durga. It is sung on various auspicious occasions includingDurga Puja.[19]
Pidiya Geet : These songs are sung on the occasion of Pidiya festival. Pidiya songs describe the love between brothers and sisters.[20]
Ropani : Ropani songs are sung while transplanting paddy.
Sama Chakeva Geet : These songs are sung in the Shukla Paksha of Kartik month (October-November) during theSama Chakeva festival.[21]
Sohani : Sohani songs are sung while weeding the fields[22]
Sohar : Sohar is sung on the occasion of child birth.[23]
Thumri : Thumri is a light classical Bhojpuri music genre focusing on romantic and devotional themes.[24][25]
^Peter, Manuel.Tales, Tunes, and Tassa Drums: Retention and Invention into Indo-Caribbean Music.
^"The Journal of Intercultural Studies".Intercultural Research Institute.9:96–100. 1982.
^Broughton Simon, and Mark Ellingham (2000)."Trinidad: Chutney." World music: the Rough guide : [an A-Z of the music, musicians and discs.. London: The Rough Guides. Print.
^Peter Manuel, "Chutney and Indo-Trinidadian cultural identity,"Popular Music 17:1 (1998): 37JSTOR, Online (4 December 2007).
