Panchali

Panchali a genre of narrative folk songs. The word, panchali, originates from panchal or panchalika, meaning puppet. Others believe that the word refers to the five elements of this genre: song, music, extempore versifying, poetic contests, and dance. In earlier times it also included a puppet dance. In the 18th-19th centuries, the puppet dance was dropped. Instead, the main singer would dance, wearing nupur (anklet bells), and holding a flywhisk and cymbals. At times he would act the part of different characters. The ramayana, mahabharata, mangalkavya and similar narrative verses were often recited in the style of panchali. Some legends also used to be recited in a similar fashion.

Panchali subjects include ancient legends and folk tales as well as contemporary topics. One principal singer would enact the main story with recitation, rhymes and songs. In course of the evolution of the panchali, more singers joined the principal singer to play such instruments as mrdanga (tabor), dhol (drum) and kanshi (bell-metal gong).

The panchali underwent some changes towards the close of the 18th century when poetic contests, physical gestures and acting were introduced. In the 19th century dialogue for the principal singer was added as was the character of a clown who used to generate laughter by mimicking different social oddities through songs, recitation of rhymes or dances. Most popular among the social issues were remarriage of women, income tax problems, and the members of Young Bengal who were opposed to idol worship. The panchali later gave birth to the popular jatra songs.
dasharathi roy was a famous panchali composer. He used to be a professional kaviyal or versifier. Dasharathi Roy's panchali helped make the common people interested in education, literature and religion as well as to become socially conscious. The influence of kavigan may be noticed in the panchali of manomohan bose. Some other famous panchali composers of the time were Thakurdas Dutta (1801-1876), Rasikchandra Ray (1820-1892), Brajamohan Ray (1831-1876), Rasikchandra Goswami, Nandalal Ray and Krishnakamal Goswami. Famous panchali include Shitalar Panchali and Satyanarayan or Satyapirer Panchali.

SatyanarayanerPanchali

Satyanarayaner Panchali a work of Middle Age Bangla pir (spiritual guide) literature, based on the stories of SATYA PIR(SATYA NARAYAN- A HINGU GOD & PIR- MUSLIM GOD). After the spread of Islam in Bengal, popular belief of pirs, modelled on Hindu deities, developed among the masses.
This is how the tradition of Satyapir, Satyanarayan, Manikpir, Gazipir and the like evolved. Satyapir is the same person as Satyanarayan; only one is associated with the Hindu and the other with the Muslim community. The story of their births, legends, greatness and vows are almost similar. It is largely because the newly converted Bengali Muslims held on with many of their traditional beliefs and practices. Poet Chandra (late 16th century) is said to be the earliest writer of such PANCHALI (ballad-type poems). The later poets who wrote based on these stories include Ghanaram Chakrabarty, Rameswar Bhattacharya, Dwija Bisweswar, Fakir Chand, Kabi Shankar, Devakinandan, Shibchandra Sen, Bharatchandra Ray. The VANGIYA SAHITYA PRISHAD published the works of poet Ballabh as Satyanarayaner Punthi, and they were edited by ABDUL KARIM SAHITYAVISHARAD.