STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Ministry of External Affairs, Jammu, celebrated World Music Day in a unique way.
ICCR Jammu chose to commemorate this International Day by taking the younger generation 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 and started with a keynote address by the Regional Director ICCR Jammu, Balwant Thakur defining the motive behind holding this programme.
Thakur gave an overview of the tradition of ‘Bhakh’ style of Dogri singing. He said that this unique style of singing 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 numbering 5 to 15 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 film on Bhakh showcased 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 on this earth. The mystic singing of Bhakh in the hills enlivens the entire environment musically and attracts not only human beings but also other living creatures including the flora and fauna.
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.