Bhawaiya, a defining folk music tradition of northern Bangladesh, is facing a deepening crisis, with declining audiences, a shortage of organisers, and limited institutional support threatening its survival.
Once widely popular among rural communities, the genre, rooted in themes of love and longing of cart drivers and herdsmen, is now struggling to attract younger listeners. Stakeholders say the lack of structured promotion and patronage has pushed the tradition to the brink.
Kurigram, known for iconic Bhawaiya songs such as “Oki Gariyal Bhai” popularised by Abbasuddin Ahmed, reflects the broader decline. Although training is offered at the district Shilpakala Academy, it remains limited. Privately run initiatives are rare, with only the Bangladesh Bhawaiya Academy in Ulipur’s Panchpir area providing regular instruction.
Established in 1993 on a small plot of donated land, the academy has produced six lyricists and 42 singers. However, its Director Bhupati Bhushan Barma said the real crisis lies elsewhere.
“There is no shortage of artists in the north, but there is a severe shortage of skilled organisers,” he said. “Without organisers, the entire practice of Bhawaiya could collapse over time.”
He attributed the gap to weak patronage and a lack of awareness among guardians, adding that broader government and private sector support is needed to sustain interest and livelihoods linked to the genre.
Financial constraints have also affected institutional platforms. The Rangpur regional radio station, once a key hub for Bhawaiya, now hosts fewer performances due to funding shortages, limiting income opportunities for artists.
The impact is visible at the grassroots. Sankar Barman, a listed Bhawaiya artist of Bangladesh Betar and a van driver by profession, said sustaining a family through music alone is no longer possible.
“I used to perform at the radio centre a few times a year, but payments were delayed and barely covered travel and living costs,” he said. “If support increases, the younger generation may return to this music.”
Radio Chilmari 99.20 FM Manager Bashir Ahmed said the region still has many talented performers, but they lack exposure and patronage. “If genuine artists are identified and supported, Bhawaiya can regain its vitality,” he said.
Bangladesh Betar lyricist, composer, and music director Shafiqul Islam Shafi said the absence of dedicated training and broadcast slots has hindered the genre’s growth. He criticised the cultural ministry’s curriculum for not including structured Bhawaiya training and pointed to the lack of regular programming on state television.
Kurigram Shilpakala Academy Cultural Officer Jasim Uddin cited budget constraints and the absence of a dedicated facility as key barriers. He said a proposal has been submitted to establish a Bhawaiya academy in the district, which could expand training and preservation efforts if approved.
Observers say without coordinated policy support, sustained funding, and stronger promotion, Bhawaiya risks fading from public life, taking with it a vital strand of Bangladesh’s folk heritage.
