suno-norge – Baul Songs of Bangladesh

In the districts of Lalmonirhat and Kurigram, in north west Bangladesh, girls and boys learn to sing and play the songs and music of their ancestors. This area is a river landscape, where singing is the most powerful artistic expression. The songs concern love and separation, in both a religious and a secular sense.

This folk music project is run by a local organisation – Arshi Nagar. Suno-Norge supports the project financially, and distributes information about the project in Norway. Suno-Norge supports fifteen song and music schools for between 18 and 40 children, as well as a sound studio and the management of a boarding school for 6 children in Lalmonirhat. Each song and music school has two teachers, often one Hindu and one Muslim. The teachers are modestly remunerated.

Arshi Nagar organises music festivals, provides musicians with instruments, and repairs old ones. The project contributes to the education of girls. Through its efforts it is able to plant fruit trees, grow vegetables, and distribute food in times of flooding.

In 1998, the author and photographer Wera Sæther visited Bangladesh for the first time. On a sand island in the river Brahmaputra she was captured by the songs (like murshidi, marfati, dehototto, bhaoaya, bhatiali and baul). Together with local musicians she got involved in an effort to preserve and develop the vocal traditions of the very poorest in this part of the country. Suno-Norge operates as an association of friends who support the work of Arshi Nagar financially and help to share the rich cultural heritage of these singers and musicians.

Here is one cool song:

In 2010, Arshi Nagar started the production of CDs. More information about this project can be found at suno-norge. (This is a Norwegian website)

If you want to be a member, friend and want to support the work, you may contact via e-mail: medlemskap@suno-norge.org