Panchali (narrative form)

Panchali is an oral narrative form of songs and stories in Assamese and Bengali culture.[1](panchali gaan collectively refers to the Bengali ballad songs) During a panchali recitation, the singer walks among the listeners making gestures to accompany the story.[2] The tradition is found among both Hindu and Muslim communities.[3] The themes are typically religious and reflect a variety of impacts on the culture through a period of several centuries.[4] Some focus on the duties of a good wife.[1]

Interspersed in the presentation of Bengali folk opera, there are frequently breaks which are filled with panchali and other forms of songs.[5] The panchali is followed by the singing of a religious song in Assam.[6]

Some popular Bengali "panchali"s include Lokkhir panchali (The Ballad of Goddess Lakshmi), Sriram panchali (The Ballad Lord Rāma), Bishohorir panchali (The Ballad of Goddess Manasā).

  1. ^ a b Roy, Manisha (2010-02-15). Bengali Women. University of Chicago Press. pp. 191–. ISBN 9780226230443. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
  2. ^ Datta, Utpal (1992-01-01). Girish Chandra Ghosh. Sahitya Akademi. pp. 8–. ISBN 9788172011970. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
  3. ^ Sengupta, Nitish K. (2011-01-01). Land of Two Rivers: A History of Bengal from the Mahabharata to Mujib. Penguin Books India. pp. 113–. ISBN 9780143416784. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
  4. ^ Yamin, Mohammed. Impact of Islam on Orissan Culture. Readworthy. pp. 61–. ISBN 9789350181027. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
  5. ^ Chakrabarti, Kunal; Chakrabarti, Shubhra (2013-08-22). Historical Dictionary of the Bengalis. Scarecrow Press. pp. 465–. ISBN 9780810880245. Retrieved 29 August 2015.
  6. ^ Barthakur, Dilip Ranjan (2003). The Music and Musical Instruments of North Eastern India. Mittal Publications. pp. 42–. ISBN 9788170998815. Retrieved 29 August 2015.