FOLK SONGS

 Folk songs of Kashmir are current in almost every home of Kashmir, particularly in the rural areas. They are rich in theme, content and form. Folk songs in Kashmir show, and to some extent preserve the myths, customs, traditions and ways of life of bygone days. In Kashmir , songs are known as “Baeth” which express joys and sorrows of life. Mughal gradens are the beauty of Kashmir have provided themes for these songs. The beliefs and manners of Kashmiris are worthly embalmed in their folk songs which also mirror the chequered history of the valley. The broad classification of the songs is:- 

1. Love songs (Lol-gevun)
2. Ruf ( Dance songs)
3. Pastoral songs (Pahel-gevun)
4. Spring songs(Sont-gevun)
5. Harvest songs (Harduk gevun)
6. Wedding songs(Wanvun)
7.  Sacred thread ceremony songs (Yagnopavit gevun)
8. Opera songs(Bhanha Jeshan)
9. Dancer songs(Bachha Nagma)
10. Boatmen’s songs (Hanz baeth) etc

Besides this, there are other songs which are sung in chorus, such as,padding a boat,carving a wooden show piece, embroidering a sari or shawl, designing a papier mache tray, reapening of saffron, fetching of water by the village bellis, spinning of yarn, etc.

The dancers songs “Bachha Nagma” are common in Kashmir at the time of marriage.For centuries, the “Bhands”, as popular singers, entertained the people presenting folk of Kashmir. They are believed to be the descendents of ancient classical musicians who once adorned the courts of mighty rulers.Most of these people, on account of the set back to their profession, have shifted to other occupations. However, a chunk of them has carried on the tradition upto date. In the recent years, the state government in a bid to revive the ancient cultural heritage of the valley, has boosted the activities of these artists. At present, they inhabit in small villages of Wathoora,tehsil Chadoora, Bumai, tehsil Sopore, Akingam tehsil Annatnag, etc.