IN THE INTER-STATE CULTURAL DOMAIN THE DOMINI FOLK CULTURE OF MALDA DISTRICT: A HISTORICAL REVIEW/ আন্তঃরাজ্য সংস্কৃতি চর্চায় ডোমনি লোকসংস্কৃতির আলোকে মালদা জেলা : একটি ঐতিহাসিক পর্যালোচনা

Abstract

The cultural history is very much discussed in the last three decades of the 20^th centuary. As we all know, regional history makes national history, it makes me enthusiastic and curious to know more about the Domini folk culture of West Bengal. Malda district of West Bengal is famous for Domini folk drama which originally originated from modern Jharkhand (undivided Bihar). The locality is like Mothabari, Rotua, Manikchak, Pukunia, Enayetpur, Fatehpur, Paladgachi have a special identy for this folk dance. The word ‘domini’ is repeatedly used in charjapada. Many belived that domini is a daughter of dom. Domini folk dance flourished in different parts of Malda district. It begins immediately after Holi or Dol Purnima. Domini folk dance is mainly about many special event of the year or about law, draught, flood, marriage, birth control and social issues. The domini is originally a folk dance of chai community of Malda and Jharkhand. The domini folk music is actually a slice of life. The main features of this culture is to depict various aspect of the marginalized people. Poverty, disease, strife, prejudice, education, cultivation and birth of child and many other issues of the people of Malda-Jharkhand boarder come out through this folk culture. Moreover hope, despair, war, happiness, sadness, crop, agriculture etc are also main theme of domini folk dance. Domini folk songs are accompanied by various musical instruments like flute, harmonium, cymbal etc. The quality of this folk has been increased in the last three decades of 20^th century. The language and the performing part of this folk is really complicated. Though it became the most important medium of recreation of the poor people of Malda and Jharkhand border. But in present, this domini folk culture is gradually drowning. It may be the important instrument of communal harmony. So Govt, patronage and promotion of this folk drama is earnestly needed.