Ashok Sharma
Name of the book-Duggar Ka Lok Sangeet
Author-Prof. Shiv Nirmohi
Language- Hindi
Published by- Highbrow Publications, Bari Brahamana, Jammu
Price- Rs. 50.00
The book under review is from the pen of Prof Shiv Nirmohi who is known as an eminent writer, academician and historian and who is the recipient of the coveted Padma Shri award. Prof. Nirmohi, affectionately called ‘Walking Encyclopedia of Duggar’, has written more than forty books on various aspects of Duggar such as forts, palaces, lakes, temples, culture, etc. The present book deals with the folk music of Duggar region- the topic on which few books have been written.
The book, consisting of 128 pages and dedicated to the memory of famous folk singer of Duggar of yester years, Gulam Mohd. Dansali, is divided into 15 chapters, each chapter highlighting a particular aspect of folk music of Duggar. For instance, the first chapter tells us about folk music of Duggar, the second, folk singing, the third,musical instruments of Duggar and so on. Each chapter is full of highly useful information and testifies to the writer’s hard work and deep insight into the Duggar culture. The book covers the definitions of ‘folk music’ by various philosophers/writers/musicians etc. besides, characteristics of folk music. Fair treatment has been given to various professional folk singers such as Gardis, Jogis, Naths, Jangam etc who have kept alive the traditions of various types of folk music by transmitting it from one generation to another through oral version.
Instruments used in folk music and folk tunes have been covered in one chapter each. Folk dances of Duggar such as Kudd, Jagrana, Dheku, Fumni, Chajja, Gagail, Jaatar etc which have a grace & peculiarities of their own but which are, unfortunately losing charm with the young generation, have been elaborately discussed in the book. Similarly, Folk songs such as Bihahi, Suhaag, Sithni, Gujri, Bhaint, Arti, Bhaakh, Geetru, Chann, Baloni, Kaarak, Baar etc have been extensively covered in the book. Not only this, Gojri Folk songs such as Baint, Sapai, Boli, etc & Gojri folk musical instruments also find a prominent place in this book. Pahari folk songs, Gaadi folk songs, Kishtwari folk songs, Folk music of Padder, Bhaderwah & Siraj region are also included in the book, which makes the book all the more useful for the music lovers of the whole Duggar region.
Besides, the book contains the pictures of folk musical instruments to help those who are not coversant with their local names in Duggar. On the whole, the book, though small in size, is a valuable addition to Hindi literature in Duggar. It is moderately priced at Rs.50.00 and printed in a readable font. It is a must read both for the general reader and those who are interested in folk music in Duggar. This book ought to be purchased by the libraries of schools, colleges and universities so that the students come to know about various forms of folk music of Duggar and learn to appreciate, promote and transmit it to the posterity.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
