দক্ষিণ বাঁকুড়ার লুপ্তপ্রায় লোকসংস্কৃতি ‘জলমাসই’ গান : একটি সংক্ষিপ্ত পর্যালোচনা/ South Bankura's Endangered Folk Culture ‘Jalmasoi’ Song : A Brief Review

Abstract

This research paper by Debasish Karmakar explores ‘Jalmasai’, a nearly extinct folk song tradition practiced by the Bauri community in the South Bankura region of West Bengal. Geographically, South Bankura comprises the Khatra subdivision, characterized by its dense forests, rivers like the Kasai, and a population largely consisting of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The Bauri community, identified as the largest Scheduled Caste group in this region with a population of approximately 55,000, are the primary practitioners and creators of these songs.

        The term ‘Jalmasai’ refers to ritualistic songs performed specifically during wedding ceremonies. They are deeply rooted in the local landscape and the community's socio-economic reality. The ritual begins on the wedding evening when the bride or groom is taken to a local pond. A symbolic act of ‘cutting the water’ (drawing a square in the water) is performed with a sickle, followed by the worship of a decorated egg, known as ‘Jalmathakuran’.

        The lyrics of these songs offer a poignant reflection of the Bauri people's lives. Themes range from the universal pain of a mother parting from her daughter—likened to the mythological sorrow of Menoka for Uma—to social commentaries on beauty and utility using metaphors like the Palas flower. The songs also highlight the harsh realities of poverty and water scarcity. Some lyrics describe the consumption of ‘Bhutmuri’ rice and ‘Kutti’ pulses, common staples for the impoverished, while others express the reverence for water as a deity, reflecting the region's long-standing water crisis.

         Ultimately, Jalmasai songs are more than just musical expressions; they are a repository of the Bauri community’s collective identity, capturing their joys, sorrows, and daily struggles. Despite their cultural significance, these songs are fading due to a lack of formal education and the slow encroachment of modern civilization. The author emphasizes that these songs breathe life into Otherwise inanimate rituals, serving as a unique cultural asset of the Bauri women in South Bankura.