The Sundarban Folk Festival is a historical and cultural festival held in West Bengal’s Sundarbans. Here’s all you need to know about the event.
Major Attractions Of Sundarban Folk Festival
This is a dramatic performance that is performed in accordance with local customs. This dance is associated with the worship of the cult Goddess known as Bibi and is only performed in the Sundarbans and the lower deltaic areas.
The Goddess is reported to be summoned most often by honey collectors and woodcutters as they prepare to enter the woods. This is done in order to gain protection from the Devi in order to save their life.
According to the end of this small narrative, there was a Demon King called Dakkhin Rai who was the Goddess’s arch-enemy. And, according to legend, he still emerges in the form of tigers and assaults the locals to this day. The fact that this rite is being performed today indicates that people haven’t forgotten their origins and revere the Goddess with unwavering trust.
The Significance of Word Pala and Celebrations.
Pala is a Bengali term that means “song” or “verse.” Historically, it was solely performed by Bonbibi’s god. And it wasn’t until much later in history that this song was transformed into a full-fledged enactment akin to a play.
The Department of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, in collaboration with UNESCO, is the main organiser of this festival. They are noted for covering over 650 artists in all, who get together throughout the festival to produce some of the most incredible events to remember.
The Sundarbans are famed for their mangrove forests, which are connected by meandering rivers and serve as a link between life and environment, rituals, and folklore. In Sundarban, the West Bengal government’s Department of Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises and Textiles (MSME&T) has launched a Rural Craft and Cultural Hub programme in collaboration with UNESCO, which would benefit 650 artists. The Sundarban Folk Festival brings together performers to honour their heritage. From December 27 to December 29, 2019, the festival will take place at Pakhiralay, Gosaba.
All you need to know about the Sundarban Folk Festival
What to expect Bonbibi Pala:
The theatrical performance tradition of Bonbibi-r Palagaan is linked to the worship of the cult deity Bonbibi. This popular performance-ritual, which is only practised in the Sundarbans in the lower delta area of West Bengal (India) and Bangladesh, has persisted verbally or through handwritten manuscripts in the periphery without much acknowledgement, in contrast to the Bengali literary canon. In Bengali, the words ‘pala’ and ‘gaan’ denote ‘extended narrative verse’ and song,’ respectively.
Bonbibi-r Palagaan was traditionally chanted or sung as a eulogy to the deity in order to solicit her favours. It then evolved into an enactment form, in which Bonbibi’s varied adventures in Bhati-r Desh (the land of tides, i.e. the Sundarbans) are acted out. The fact that this performance-ritual is still performed today indicates that this religious practice is still alive and well. Bonbibi-r Palagaan is regarded as the Sundarbans’ most emblematic performance ritual, as well as a symbol of the region’s syncretism.
The Sunderbans’ scenery also influences the country’s traditional customs. This place is known as Bonbibir Pala.
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Bonbibi-r Palagaan is a theatrical performance tradition associated with Goddess Bonbibi’s devotion. This rite is only performed in the Sundarbans of West Bengal’s lower delta region. In Bengali, the word Pala refers to a long narrative poem, whereas gaan refers to a song. It was once exclusively sung or performed as a eulogy to the deity in order to get her favours. Later, it evolved into an enactment form in which various Sundarbans extracts are performed out. It is also seen as a symbol of the region’s syncretistic character. Let’s know more about Sundarban Folk Festival.
The narrative Johuranama is written in the Panchali style. This Pir Sahitya work, written in Musalmani Bangala, tells the narrative of Bonbibi in the Bhati-r-Desh. Bonbibi Jahuranama 1284, Bonbibi Jahuranama 1287, and Bonbibi Jahuranama 1305 are the three manuscripts that make up this collection. These works are part of Bengal’s early print culture, and they are especially Battala literature.
The narrative Johuranama is written in the Panchali style. This Pir Sahitya work, written in Musalmani Bangala, tells the narrative of Bonbibi in the Bhati-r-Desh. Bonbibi Jahuranama 1284, Bonbibi Jahuranama 1287, and Bonbibi Jahuranama 1305 are the three manuscripts that make up this collection. These works are part of Bengal’s early print culture, and they are especially Battala literature. The Sunderbans Folk Festival, now in its third year, will bring together the region’s creative communities on December 27-29, 2019. Let’s know more about Sundarban Folk Festival.
How To Reach
Sunderban’s beauty draws biologists, environmentalists, tourists, nature photographers, scientists, and animal enthusiasts from all over the world. The Sundarban folk festival gives everyone the chance to see the area’s rich cultural history as well as its breathtaking landscapes. Sunderban is around 1400 kilometres, 1600 kilometres, 100 kilometres, and 1500 kilometres from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru, respectively. Kolkata, Khulna, and Satkhira are the closest cities to Sundarban. Continue reading to learn about the best ways to go to Kolkata and the best ways to get there.
We have Sundarban Tour Packages Daily Basis.
For Booking Of Best Sundarban Package (Starting from 2799/-)
There are many Sundarban tour operators that offer different types of package tours to the Sundarbans National Park in West Bengal. Most are predefined group tours with fixed itineraries and can either be day tours, overnight, or multiple nights with set accommodations included. However ROYAL SUNDARBAN TOURISM IS The best, You will be picked up from Kolkata and dropped back there and can either stay aboard a boat or on land. Hotels and resorts also provide their guests with tour packages. The best package you will get at Royal Sundarban Tourism. AC/Non AC Tour, AC Deluxe Cottage, Delicious Menu, Experienced Tour Guide, Personal Car. 12 Regular Spots, Folk Dance, Car, Boat, Room Sanitization, AC & Non AC Package.
Royal Sundarban Tourism
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Email: info@royalsundarbantourism.com
Address: Sundarban. Gosaba Market Durga Mandir Road, Pin – 743370, West Bengal, India
