Folk songs fading into oblivion?

Once upon a time, the songs like jari, sari and baul were more than melodies. They were reflections of rural life, chronicling labour, joy, sorrow and devotion. But today, amidst the flood of digital entertainment and the fast pace of urbanisation, these traditions are fading. The sound of the ektara is slowly being drowned out by electronic beats.
Surveys highlight this reality. While 70 per cent of villagers still say these songs are inseparable from their lives, 65 per cent of young people admit that because of mobile phones, television and YouTube, they rarely listen to them. Alarmingly, 55 per cent fear that if these traditions vanish, the cultural identity of villages will erode. The survey shows that the love for rural music still exists, but it is slipping away from the younger generation.
The reasons are many. Urban lifestyles and foreign influences dominate youth culture. The simplicity of folk music appeals less to them than flashy global trends. Equally, the absence of cultural education leaves children unaware of their heritage. Economic hardship adds to the problem. Life as a baul or folk singer brings little financial reward, discouraging the next generation from pursuing it.
Solutions, however, are within reach. Communities, schools and colleges should integrate folk music into festivals, fairs and cultural programmes, giving young people opportunities to experience it first-hand. Technology, too, can be an ally. Publishing Baul performances on YouTube, Facebook or mobile apps would allow rural songs to reach wider audiences, including urban youth. Government and private initiatives must also step in with financial support and training, so that folk artists can live with dignity and pass on their skills. Families play a vital role as well, teaching children Baul songs and stories from an early age to instil pride in cultural heritage.
Jari, sari and Baul are not simply songs. They are the language of the rural soul, the heartbeat of Bangladesh. If they fade away, something irreplaceable will be lost. Preserving them means preserving our history, our culture and our identity. It is time we acted before the silence becomes permanent.

Sania Tasnim Lamia
Student, Department of Mass Communication and Journalism
Jagannath University
saniatasnimlamia@gmail.com