RAJBANSHI

Rajbanshi man wearing traditional Rajbanshi attire

      The Koch Rajbongshi (Koch), also known as Rajbanshi, Koch Rajbanshi, Rajbanshi are an ethnic group inhabiting parts of Assam,,,northern West Bengal and some pockets on the eastern parts of Nepal, Bihar, Bhutan and northern Bangladesh. They are recognized as OBC in the state of Assam as Koch-Rajbongshi and SC in the state of West Bengal as Rajbanshi. They are spread mainly in the districts of Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, Uttar Dinajpur, Dakshin Dinajpur and the plain lands of Darjeeling in West Bengal; Goalpara and Dhubri districts of Assam; and Rangpur and Dinajpur districts of Bangladesh. Substantial amount of Rajbanshi population can also be found in the Malda districts of West Bengal, Purnia district of Bihar and the Jhapa district of Nepal.

 While our stay in Gossaigaon for fieldwork,   there was two days bandh declared by the Rajbanshi community. They have been 

demanding for a separate Kamathpura state and to keep their demand there created a lot of tension around the town for two continuous days. Even we stayed back in the office and continued our office work and avoided going to the field.

Rajbanshi dance performed by children

    One evening, as I was walking on the kuccha roads of Assam with two of my other friends, in the village named Sapkata. I heard traditional music been played loud somewhere in the village. So following the music, we reached to a school field where people had gathered in large crowd, wearing yellow-red-green colour traditional clothes. The Rajbanshi community had organized a dance competition for the children. They looked in a mood of celebration and were clapping to the dances of young girls on the stage. As an issue of language we all three of us, sat on one corner and enjoyed the young girls dancing gracefully on the beats of their traditional songs. While the men loitered around the program area, the women sat on the ground and enjoyed the dances been performed.

Rajbanshi musical instruments

 By the time it was getting darker, few men approached us and asked our whereabouts, we interacted with them and were happy having us in their program. Few men enthusiastically brought their music instrument and played it for us and meanwhile, we recorded their performance. I could see them getting into the music deeply while playing it and the moves of their body with the music. This showed how an individual has an dedication and love for one’s culture and tradition and also an struggle to preserve their Identity. In today's scenario, where people are more attracted to western music and dance, this community believes in staying firm in their culture and so, the people perform their dance music. 

    

'What would be great than believing in your identity by practicing it.'

By- Daisy Kujur
Email- daisykujurofficial@gmail.com