Amid modern cacophony, folk music reverberates
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 07 2022: Sound of beautifully sung folk songs echoed at Mapum Village in Kamjong district.

69-year-old Guru Rawung is teaching students the art of Khunung Eshei (folk songs) at the Hao Cultural Academy.

He is optimistic that the students at the academy will carry on the responsibility of saving this treasure of the hills long after he dies.

Now an instructor at the Hao Cultural Academy, he learned singing folk songs from elders, who once inherited the art from their elders.

Speaking to The Sangai Express, Guru Rawung said the academy was set up to preserve folk songs and its style of singing.

Guru Ruwang sang some of the folk songs beautifully and translated them loosely.

Amid modern cacophony, folk music reverberates

One of the folk songs he sang was related to seed sowing and harvesting.

He sung and translated that the folk song was asking the Khullakpa (village chief) to bless the seed sowing for an abundant harvest.

The second flok song he sang described a man's love.

Translating he said, "The song talks about a man who forgot to eat when thinking about his love and was not able to cut trees (due to lack of energy)" .

One can truly relax and enjoy the sound of the Tangkhul folk song infused with the traditional instruments.

Guru Ruwang said Tangkhul folk songs accompany some instruments including Tala, Tingteila and Sipa.

Tala is made of bamboo and is blown to make sound.

Tingteila resembles Pena while Sipa is used like a flute.

Tangkhul artistes and some children are being taught folk songs and the instruments.

Without teaching them, these cultural heritage will be lost, Guru Ruwang said.

Curious to know more about the Tangkhul folk songs, The Sangai Express met with Padma Shree Awardee Guru Rewben Mashangva.

Guru Rewben said, the folk songs were sung in the fields when the elders were doing work.

It tells stories of the people working in the fields.

The songs were also sung when the people were returning home after toiling in the fields.

At night, neighbours would visit houses and with the family they would sit around the fire in the kitchen of their thatched houses.

An elder would tell them stories of bond of family, friendship, society, history and tales by singing.

They would also sing together and it would relax and comfort them.

Although some elders may have knowledge of the ancient folk songs, it is hardly sung nowadays.

The responsibility to save and preserve the folk songs has been left with the few artistes who are performing and learning the art, Guru Rewben said.

The folk songs are important ingredients in major events of the people of the hills.

However, today's youths have little knowledge of folk songs and they can't sing.

This is one reason for the decline of the folk song culture.

Villages are not teaching the youngsters to sing folk songs.

With the time bringing changes, the folk song has also lost its value among the people.

The folk song is slowly dying, Guru Rewben said.

Guru Rewben expressed that the Government should form policies and projects to save this cultural treasure.

Schools and colleges and other institutions should teach students about folk songs of all communities.

"Folk songs tell the stories of the people and their origin and culture.

Folk songs have messages of love and peace.

Folk songs bring people together.

Folk songs shouldn't be ignored.

We should not let it fade away.

It should be preserved and promoted," Guru Rewben said.

Padma Shree Guru Rewben also lamented that the few people who are dedicated and keen on preserving the folk songs are being ignored.

The Gurus and teachers engaged in teaching folk songs should be given recognition and they should be adopted by the Government.

This will encourage them and provide them livelihood, Guru Rewben said.