Regional Classic Folks Music

Mizoram

Music of the Mizoram is very regional and it is a kind of folk music that is more melodious in combination with various instruments like gong, percussion instruments and drums. Mizoram is also famous for outdated history of flute playing.  The drum found in Mizoram is very much likely to that of Myanmar.  This drum is basically made with the membrane flesh of cow covered the hollow trunk that is made of tree in combination with brass and gongs.

The main history of the music of Mizoram is very difficult to obtain. As between the 1300 to 1400 AD of estimation, there was development of couplets at the time of Thantlang settlement in Burma.  In this time period, various folk songs were originated such as Hlado (hunting chants), Bawh hla (chants of war), dar hla (gong songs), and Nauawih hla (songs on cradle) as B. Lalthangliana had recorded.  As estimated in late 15 to 17th century, after the settlement of Lentlang in the state of Burma, lots of origination of songs were seen. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mizo_music#cite_note-0

In the late 17th century, the Mizoram was occupied by the Mizo.  The history of music literature of the Mizoram is also a precious part at the time of 18th to 19th century that is also called the pre-colonial period. Prior to the takeover by the British Government, the Mizo occupied the present Mizoram for two centuries. The songs of this period were more famous in its contents, form, and music as compared to the songs of Lentland and Thantlang. The flow of the music and language is more better as compared to those.  The songs of this period are named after the name of the composers.

Classification

The folk songs of the Mizos were very traditional in its classification.  Mizo have more than one 100 folk songs as described by the classification system studied.  This system of classification is classified into various that are:

Bawh Hla

This form of song is sung in the form of raised cry when the warriors returned successfully from the raid. To let his people know about the raid successfully taken, the warriors show their superiority towards the enemy by chanting Bawh Hla. Only the enemy killer can chant Bawh Hla and it is not permeable for the other members of warrior.

Hlado

When the hunters completed their hunting successfully, they chant or raised the cry so called Hlado. This Hlado chant is done at the time of celebration, or just entering the village before, or on the way to home. This Hlado chant can be raised by any person who witnessed their success in hunting.

Thiam Hla And Dawi Hla (Invocation & Incantation)

These types of chants were performed at the time of ceremonies held in church by the priests or the witches.

Dar Hla

These types of folk were named from the name instruments. This type of chants were done only with the help of instruments not by the voice of human.  The meaning of the Dar Hla is the song of gong. Lot of folks songs were named after the name of various instruments, but the most common and most famous is Dar Hla.  This form of song has musical notes that are 3 in number.

Puipun Hla

From the occasions of festivals and merry, the name of this song is derived. This type of folk song is most famous among the all.  At the time of festive and the occasions of merry, people together used to sing and dance and celebrate.

Lengzem Zai

These are commonly called love songs.  The name of this song is derived from the theme of the song. In the community of the Mizo, this is very popular folk song.

Songs Named After Tribes

These type of songs are named after the name of the tribes just like salivate zai and Sailo Zai.

Songs Named After Villages

Some of the folk songs are derived their name from the name of the village such as Dar Lung Zai and Lumtai Zai.

Songs Named After Modulation Of The Voice

Some folk songs are derived their names from the accent just like Puma Zai, Vai Zawi Zai, Kawrnu Zai, and Zai Nem. The best example for this is Kawrnu that is unique type of Cicada famous for low and gentle voice.  The Kawrnu tune is very similar to the new tune and so called Kawrnu Zai.

Songs Named After Individuals

Few of the folk songs were also derived their name from the individual name.  The name of many popular original composers were used to derived most of the folk song’s name. Many of the folk songs were also named after the name of particular famous person in the tribe or beautiful woman in the tribe. The first six folk songs have own name that is common but the last four one were not have common name.