|
Rhythm is man’s oldest
impulse. All of us like music of one kind or
other. Of all fine arts, music is the most
intimate and fullest expression of human nature.
Sound and rhythm, the two constituents of music,
instinctively attract almost everybody. Another
reason for this universal attraction is that the
pleasure derived from music is both from within
and from without. The exchange of music and
dance among the nations of the world confirms
the basic cultural unity of mankind.
The origin of music in
India is attributed to heavenly powers and
mythological figures. Music and dance have been
the chief forms of religious expression. From
time immemorial India gave rise to a very wide
variety of music and dance.
In Singapore Bhojpuri (Lok
Geet) music has its own history. The early
pioneers who came to Singapore in the late 19th
century continued their traditions. On various
festivals like Holi and Krishna Janmashtami it
was a common feature to hear the vigorous and
vibrant songs in the various areas of Singapore
where the Bhojpuri community resided. It is
during this stage that the present generation of
local born gained their first taste of this
immensely rich folksongs by the masters of
yesteryears. With the influence of western
culture and for various other reasons, there
appeared a general lack of interest in this
music, and it is this fear, fear of extinction,
that has activated us to rekindle this cultural
heritage before it is too late.
For the first time in
Singapore’s musical history a Bhojpuri Music
Festival is being organized on such a scale and
it is hoped that other communities will have a
fair insight of our cultural heritage. The
Organizing Committee has worked very hard and I
find no words to express their enthusiasm and
sacrifice which they have put in to make this
Bhojpuri Music Festival a success.
Space does not permit to
acknowledge all the individuals who have
contributed their effort in making this project
a success. I would like to thank the following
for their invaluable service – Messrs Om Prakash
Rai, Ram Sanehi Rai, Suresh P. Gupta, Jai
Prakash Rai, Shridhar Tripathi, Premnath Tiwari,
Sheo Shankar Rai, Haridwar Misra, Ramanand
Pandey, Ram Pyare Rai, Sagelu Ram, Deo Nath
Chaubey, Tarachand, Pardesi, Baikunth Prasad,
Baliram Singh and Bansropan Chaudhuri. Special
thanks must also go to the following for their
moral support – Messrs Kanta Rai, Ram Raj Tiwari,
Ram Darash Singh and to all those who have
helped us in one way or another. The Organizing
Committee wishes to record its thanks to
Bharatiya Bhawan for their kind sponsorship and
to all artists who have taken part in this
Bhojpuri Music Festival.
I conclude my message with
a fervent hope the future generation will take
up this challenge of organizing such festival so
that this heritage will continue to enrich and
unite our society.
Ram Janam Misra
16 October, 1977
|
