Music, Tradition, and Cultural Identity: A Comparative Study of Maithilī and Māgahī Folk Music

Publication Details

Publication Date

10/10/2026

Volume / Issue

Vol 1, Issue 5 (2026)

Article No.

005

Journal

British Journal of Contemporary Research

DOI

https://doi.org/10.67693/BJCR-L7Q4Y29F

Received

05 Sep 2026

Views

66

Downloads

18

Abstract

In the heart of Bihar and its neighbouring regions, two lively streams of folk music—Maithilī and Māgahī—have long flowed side by side. Though closely related, each tradition has developed its own individual cultural identity, deeply embedded in the daily rhythms of community life. From the moment of birth to rites of passage, from the toil of agricultural fields to the joy of festivals, the music of these communities provides a soundtrack for every stage of life. (Pathak, 2018) This study studies these living traditions by analysing how song-text, melody, rhythm, voice, movement, ritual, and instruments converge in performance. Rather than viewing the music as a static archive, it is approached as a dynamic practice that expresses emotion, enacts ritual, shapes social relationships, preserves memory, and transmits wisdom from generation to generation. Examples such as the invocation of "Tohre Bharose Braham Baba" in Jhijhiyā, the fellowship of "Sāmā Khele Chalalī Bhaujī Saṅg Sahelī" in Sāmā-Cakevā, and the celebratory Māgahī sohar and saṃskāra-gīta show how these songs embody the tales and hopes of their communities. Musical instruments such as ḍholaka, nāgara, mañjīrā, jhā̃jh, kartāl, bā̃surī, śahnāī, pipahī, and harmonium are vital to these traditions, moulding the soundscape and assisting collective participation. Oral transmission, repetition, and communal involvement are essential to such practices, while different languages, themes, and performance styles contribute to their distinctive character. However, these traditions are not confined to their original village contexts. With the advent of stage performances, recordings, and digital media, Maithilī and Māgahī folk music have adapted to new environments. Keeping these traditions depends on supporting the living contexts—community, performer, and occasion—that enable the music to evolve.

License

This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License . Free to read, share, and adapt with attribution.