Dhuya Gan

Dhuya Gan one of the most popular branches of Bangla folk song. It is called dhuya (from the word dhruva meaning constant) because of the refrain, which usually comes at the beginning of the song but is sung repeatedly in the course of the performance.

Dhuya songs can be sung all alone or in unison. They are sometimes performed as in the form of a dialogue in a group. Usually, there are two singers, one asking questions and the other answering. The singers often switch roles. The singers have assistants who sing the refrain in the intervals between question and answer. Dhuya songs thus resemble kavigan, which is also in the form of a dialogue.

The songs are usually sung at gatherings in courtyards on moonlit summer nights. However, they may also be arranged in an open space or even in a boat. The dhuya song is presented in a loud and sonorous voice accompanied by ektara, dotara, khol, kartal. It may also be accompanied by a dance.

Dhuya songs contain a sense of sheer fun. Sometimes the songs focus on the mysteries of religion or the human body. At other times, social injustices or the shortcomings of urban life form the themes of these songs. Many dhuya songs have been composed on the war of liberation.

While dhuya songs are sung in almost all the regions of Bangladesh, they are specially popular in faridpur, pabna, jessore and dhaka. Composed by illiterate or semi-literate poets, dhuya songs are an important element of Bangladesh folk tradition. [Abdul Wahab]