Kolkata: Workshop on Jhumur ensures survival of one of Bengal's folk music genre

The workshop, which was inaugurated on Tuesday is being held at the Jorasanko Thakurbari, the famous north Kolkata home of poet Rabindranath Tagore.

The workshop will continue till March 30, from 12 noon to 5pm. Over 50 participants have enrolled for the programme.

Jhumur artists Upendranath Mahato, Durjodhan Karmakar and Kiriti Mahato were present on the inaugural day of the workshop to interact and impart training to the participants while artists such as Mihirlal Singhdeo, Bijoy Karmakar, Postobala Debi will be joining them during the 17-day session.

Dr. Kankana Mitra, Head Of Department of Vocal Music, RBU, is conducting the workshop.

Other RBU professors such as Biswajit Bhattacharya, Department of Instrumental Music, Indrani Ghosh, Department of Rabindrasangeet ,and Dr. Haimanti Chattopadhyay, Member-Secretary, West Bengal State Akademi of Dance Drama Music & Visual Arts were also present at the inaugural function.

“Although the passage of time has seen traditional folk songs being adapted for various reasons, the tradition per se persists. We appreciate the artists and the participants who are keen to see the genre survives," said Biswajit Bhattacharya.

Jhumur is a part of folk culture mostly in areas such as Purulia, Midnapore and Birbhum,each with their unique variations, which the participants got to learn on the inaugural day. 

Dr Ashis Giri, Amulya Kumar, Postobala Debi and Ashok Das will address the participants during the workshop, the organisers said.

(Reporting by Shilpa Salwan)