Bhawaiya Songs
ভাওয়াইয়া গান
The long, wavering folk songs of the north, sung about love, separation and river journeys.
Bhawaiya is the folk music of the greater Rangpur region and neighbouring parts of India, recognisable by its distinctive breaks and quivers in the voice. Songs tell of bullock-cart drivers, boatmen, lovers waiting by the river and the hardships of rural life. The dotara, a plucked string instrument, provides the main accompaniment. Kurigram has a strong tradition of Bhawaiya singers, and the songs are performed at fairs, cultural events and family gatherings.
Good to know
Ask at the district Shilpakala Academy or at local fairs about performances.
More from Kurigram
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Place Dharla Bridge and Riverfront
ধরলা সেতু ও নদীর পাড়A wide sweep of the Dharla beside Kurigram town, best at sunset from the bridge approaches.
Place Chilmari River Port
চিলমারী বন্দরA historic port on the Brahmaputra, celebrated in folk song, with boats to the chars.
Representative photo Place Sonahat Bridge
সোনাহাট সেতুAn old British-era rail bridge over the Dudhkumar, near the Sonahat land port.
Representative photo Hidden place Bhawaiya Museum, Ulipur
ভাওয়াইয়া জাদুঘর, উলিপুরA small, locally run collection of folk instruments and rural objects of the Bhawaiya tradition.
Nearby
Representative photo Food Korti and River Fish
Kurigram · কুড়িগ্রামের নদীর মাছSmall river fish like korti, cooked fresh from the Brahmaputra and Dharla.
Representative photo Food Roasted Corn from the Chars
Kurigram · চরের ভুট্টাMaize grown on the sandy river islands, roasted over coals and rubbed with salt and chilli.
Food Charchom (Buffalo-Milk Chomchom)
Kurigram · চরচমA dense chomchom made from buffalo-milk chhana, found only in the Brahmaputra chars of Kurigram.
Food Ulipur Khirmohon
Kurigram · উলিপুরের ক্ষীরমোহনA heavy, syrupy chhana sweet that Ulipur has made since the 1950s.