Meet Sakshi Roy, a young singer on a mission to preserve the koch rajbongshi culture

Sakshi Roy is trained in Both Music and Dance

The Koch Bihar (Now Cooch Behar) Kingdom, Once a dominant power in the 16^th Century, Gradually Lost Its Autonomy Under British Rule and Later Merged With India in 1949 as a District of West Bengal, Despite Opposition from its people. A historically Tribal Society, The People Were Reclassified as Belonging to the Scheduled Caste. As a result, they endured bot caste discrimination and cultural erasure. The influx of bengali migrants and the spread of Hinduism further complicated their identity, lead to a generational identity crisis. Yet, efforts to preserve their heroitage person – Most notable through art and music.

Sakshi Roy, 20, A Rising Star From The Koch Rajbongshi Community Hailing from Alipurduar, West Bengal, is Determined to Preserve Her Tribal Heritage Through Music. A college student, she has alredy made waves in the Folk Music Scene. The Cultural Erosion of Tribals in North Bengal Fuels Her Passion to Preserve and Share the Rich Traditions of Her Community.

While Teenagers Her Age Were often obsessed with Pop Culture and Current Trends, Sakshi Focussed on Her Dream of Becoming a Folk Artiste. She dedicated her time to Learning the dotara (a traditional string instrument) and Folk Songs. Whenever she could, she read about the history of her tribe. Sakshi’s mother was insistent on her being trained in music and dance. Sakshi Spent Most of Her Childhood in Hasimara, and Began Learning Rabindra NRITYA NRITYA and Folk Dance Forms. She also began singing in the third grade and performed on stage. Her Stage Presence is Incredible, and Her Popularity Shows in the Awards on Display in Her Living Room.

Sakshi Has Been Performing Since Her Childhood

Sakshi First Gained Attention for Her Singing on Social Media, which boosted her confidence to perform before audiences. Her Videos Captured the Interest of Local Music Composers and Show Organizers, Leading to performances in assam. The Kamatapur Autonomous Council Occasionally Invites singers like her to perform. Recently, Sakshi Received An Award at the Koch Rajbongshi International Culture and Tourism Festival in Nepal for her song ‘tui’.

Her Latest release, ‘Ge abo’ incorporates the Mechini khelaalso know as Bhedei kheliA Traditional Puja dedicated to Teesta BuriThe Goddess of the Teesta River. This ritual is performed by women. This ritual seeks to appease the river deity to ensure protection from the devastating floods that Accompany the monsoon, and prevent diseases.

Koch Rajbongshi Songs often Center Around Festival and Religious Practices. One of the significant traditions in earlier times, now larger obsolete, is Hudum deoOr ‘Hudum PujaThis festival, primarily celebrated by women, AIMS to eliminate prolonged droughts and invoke Rainfall. Hudum is their folk God and is believed to be the God of Rain.

AlongSide Her Studies in Political Science at ABN Seal College in Cooch Behar, Sakshi is Pursuing Sangeet Ratna and Alredy Holds a Master’s Degree in Folk Dance. She Draws Inspiration from another Folk Artiste, Kalpana Patower of Assam, Whom She Describes as a Versatile Performer.

Sakshi has been looking at ways to preserve the cultural legacy of her community

Her first song, ‘tare na’ which, released in 2021, is based on the Chatka style of Bhawaiya gaanThis song marked Sakshi’s debut in the koch rajbongshi music Scene and Helped Her Reach a Wider Audience.

Bhawaiya is a traditional folk music form rooted in Northern Bengal, Encompassing Rangpur in Bangladesh, Cooch Behar in West Bengal, and the EstWhile Goalpara District of Assam. It is deeply intertwined with the lives of the working class – mahouts (Elephant keepers), mahishals (Buffalo Herders), and gariyals (Cart Drivers) – and captures their everyday struggles and emotions. The Dominant Themes Revolve Around birahaOr the pain of Separation, often Narrated from the Perspective of the Women Left Behind. The music’s signature long-drawwn notes amplify the feelings of longing and sorrow, making it a deeply evocative genre.

Bhawaiya is performed in two distinct styles: Chatka and Dariya, Chatkawith its fast-paced rhythm, is lively and engaging, while Dariya Unfolds at a Slower Tempo, Stretching The Notes to Heighten The Emotional Intensity of the Lyrics. The origins of Bhawaiya can be traced back to the 16th century. It evolved from a regional Folk Tradition into a Structured Performance Art.

Despite the Western Genre Being More Popular, Sakshi is determined to delve into Folk Music and Contribute to preserveing ​​the Millennial-Eld Legacy Her ancestors Had Foutht to Preservth. The talented artiste hopes her folk fusion will bring the connection between older and younger generations, reconnecting them to their roots that wenable centuries ago. She Hopes Her Music Backets a Medium for Bringing Change and Inspiring Future Artistes.