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Meyeli Git (Female Song) folk song sung by rural
women individually or collectively at family gatherings and social ceremonies.
The women compose the songs and tunes themselves. Women of different ages
participate in these songs. They are all usually amateur singers, but
sometimes perform these songs at marriage ceremonies for cash gifts. Musical
instruments do not generally accompany female songs although sometimes
the dhol or tom-tom may be used. Generally, sad thoughts and emotions
are depicted in these songs. Female songs are sung during different marriage
rituals, such as the gaye
halud ceremony, the bride and bridegroom bathing ceremony,
while the bride is being dressed, the welcome and farewell to the bridegroom,
and the farewell to the bride. Such sad songs have a universal appeal
for the parents and relations of the bride who are going to her father-in-law's
house. These songs are occasionally sung by women throughout the night
when someone in the family falls ill, in the hope of a cure. Women also
sing these songs in their leisure hours, to express their feelings and
emotions. Female songs blend the hopes and desires of women with jokes
and laughter. These songs were very popular in the past, but with changing
tastes they are losing their popularity. [Shahida Khatun] |
