Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 21: Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Ministry of External Affairs, Jammu celebrated the ‘World Music Day’ in a unique way.
ICCR Jammu chose to commemorate this International Day by taking the younger generations to peep in their roots and showcased a film depicting the unique and ultimate musical identity of Jammu region “Bhakh’.
The programme was held at ICCR Jammu headquarters, Jammu and started with a keynote address by the Regional Director ICCR Jammu, Balwant Thakur defining the vision behind holding this programme.
Addressing the gathering, Mr Thakur gave an overview of the tradition of ‘Bhakh’ style of Dogri singing. Interestingly, this out of the world style has given a distinctive place to Dogras in the world of music. The Bhakh is a chorus narrative singing which is sung by a group of singers that too, without the accompaniment of any musical instrument.
The most noteworthy feature of `Bhakh’ is the use of different musical notes by the same group of singers. The intelligent technique this singing tradition has evolved is the art of maintaining the individual ‘Swara’ without being influenced by the ‘Swara’ of co-singers. To protect the individual notes being influenced by the other members of the group, each singer tightens the ears by sticking fingers inside. The unique sitting posture and the tradition of sticking fingers in the ears are not found in any other style of singing.
The showcased film on `Bhakh’ featured the traditional `Bhakh’ singers from the villages of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi hills. Their singing echoes in the hills and create wonderful musical harmony which is not found anywhere. The content of `Bhakh’ includes the bravery tales particularly of the areas where the singers opt to sing. These living traditions have not only given a unique identity to the region but also have been a huge treasure of folk wisdom, knowledge, narratives and heritage.
The ICCR Jammu’s initiative of showcasing this unique work followed by the threadbare in-depth elaborations was the most befitting tribute to the music world on this auspicious International day of music.
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