HISTORY THROUH FOLK LENS

HISTORY THROUGH FOLK LENS

RAHUL RAMYA

15TH DEC 2023, PATNA

Story of a society from the lens of history is always imperfect unless it's supplemented by its folk cultural art.

           History, as told through official records and academic accounts, can be cold and detached. It often overlooks the lived experiences, emotions, and nuances that shape a society. This is where folk cultural art steps in, acting as a vital lens that illuminates the hidden corners of history.

Here's how folk cultural art enriches our understanding of a society:

Voices of the marginalized: History often prioritizes the voices of the powerful, leaving the stories of ordinary people untold. Folk art, through its songs, dances, and visual expressions, gives voice to the hopes, fears, and daily struggles of the common folk. It allows us to see history from the bottom up, understanding how grand events impacted everyday lives.

Emotional resonance: Historical narratives can be dry and factual, lacking in emotional depth. Folk art, on the other hand, is saturated with emotion. It captures the joys, sorrows, and anxieties of a society, allowing us to connect with the past on a visceral level.

Preserving cultural memory: Folk art is a repository of cultural traditions and practices that might otherwise be lost to time. It transmits knowledge, myths, and stories from generation to generation, ensuring that the past remains alive in the present.

Understanding context: Historical events often appear isolated and out of context. Folk art provides the backdrop, the everyday life, the social and economic realities that shaped those events. It helps us understand the motivations and actions of people in the past.

Therefore, relying solely on historical narratives without considering folk cultural art paints an incomplete picture. By pairing historical accounts with the vibrant tapestry of folk art, we gain a richer, more nuanced understanding of a society's past.

Here are some examples of how folk cultural art has enriched our understanding of history:

The folk songs of Bhikhari Thakur in Bhojpuri penned down the pain sorrow of women folks of Bihar's villages migration in the days of economic hardships. Similarly  folk songs of Allah-Udal depicts the valour of common man in medieval India.

Folk songs act as invaluable lenses into understanding the lived experiences of specific communities and historical periods!

Bhikhari Thakur's Bhojpuri songs:

Pain and sorrow of women: Thakur's songs capture the emotional cost of migration on women, forced to leave their homes and families for economic reasons. This gives voice to a perspective often overlooked in official narratives, highlighting the human cost of economic hardship.

Social commentary: His songs likely critiqued the social and economic structures that drove this migration, offering a powerful form of social commentary that resonated with his audience. Understanding these critiques can shed light on the challenges faced by rural communities and particularly their women in rural Bihar during that era.

Allah-Udal's songs:

Valor of the common man: These songs celebrate the courage and resilience of ordinary people in medieval India, often standing against oppression and injustice. This counteracts the traditional focus on nobility and kings in historical narratives, giving voice to the agency and heroism of the common folk.

Understanding medieval society: By analyzing these songs, we can gain insights into the social and political dynamics of medieval India, the struggles faced by ordinary people, and the values they held dear.

Comparing the two:

Both sets of songs demonstrate how folk art can provide invaluable perspectives on history that traditional narratives might miss. They highlight the importance of considering the experiences of marginalized groups and understanding the social and economic context of historical events.

Further exploration:

It would be fascinating to compare and contrast the themes and styles of Bhikhari Thakur's and Allah-Udal's songs in more detail. How do they reflect the different historical contexts and social realities of their respective communities? How do their songs function as both artistic expressions and social commentary?

Exploring these questions can lead to a richer understanding of both the songs themselves and the societies that produced them.

We may see how folk art has influenced histories of other countries as well.

The blues music of African Americans in the US tells stories of hardship, resilience, and hope, offering a counterpoint to the dominant narrative of slavery and oppression.

The intricate embroidery of Mayan women in Guatemala preserves ancient symbols and stories, providing insight into their pre-colonial culture.

The vibrant street murals of Belfast in Northern Ireland reflect the community's experiences during the Troubles, offering a raw and emotional perspective on the conflict.

In conclusion, studying a society through the lens of history alone is like looking at a painting through a single-colored lens. By incorporating the vibrant hues of folk cultural art, we gain a fuller, more human understanding of the past, appreciating not just the grand events, but also the lived experiences, emotions, and stories that make history come alive.