The author Rama Krishnan, is Asst. Professor in Thiruthani Govt. Arts College, Department of Tamil. Rama Krishnan’s contribution in the field of folklore is wide, including the release of a collection of songs of the famous Muslim artist Kunnangudi Masthan, co-ordinator in the making of the documentary film “Split City” by Venkatesh Chakravarthy, co-ordinator with the National Folklore Centre.

It is now widely accepted that Indian literary tradition is rich in folklore forms. In the field of Tamil Studies too, significant number of researches are now being undertaken in this direction. In spite of this there is lack of attention on Islamic – Folklore, particularly on the theme of Folklore of Islamic Dargahs. Contrary to this lack of attention, oral – songs have a pride of place in the life of Muslims. Folk Songs are sung on specific individuals in the Dargahs, even years after the death of a devout Muslim. In Chennai, these urban folk songs have evolved into a unique form and have received the appellation “GANA” songs. They have even captured the imagination of the masses in a diluted form through the Tamil film industry.

In the culture of Muslims worship of God has several distinctly different elements. But, the poor Muslims or those economically backward, those in the lower strata of Islamic Society have striking similarities with the life – style of the slum – people. Even, in the case of folklorique or Oral – tradition they do not look much different.

As in every folk tradition the Muslim oral tradition in the South too is rich in forms – riddles, proverbs, drama etc., are in vogue.  This series aims to introduce to the readers, the rich tradition of oral – songs, of Muslims in the context of the history of Dargahs, in particular, the Dargahs of the city of Chennai. But first let us have a taste of a few songs.

Cradle Songs / Lullabies:-

Oh my darling, my dark – clan

My master who pleases my eyes.

My master, my light of life

Making a cradle of gold

Oh, swing it softly, my lord, ‘ Nabi ’

Oh, you, whom our ‘ Nabi ’ swings

Oh, my pearl, my illumination

Pathini Aami, Emmaal

Is he the precious – light given

Birth by thee.

Comparing the child with god and singing thus is against Islamic belief and practice. To circumvent this, the singer here sings in the name of Mohammed Nabi who had established the Islamic faith. The mother sings that the Nabi himself swings the cradle softly for the baby to sleep. “That which is known in the cradle remains with man till his journey to the tomb” says an oft – repeated proverb. True to the saying, right from cradle, the child is taught the glory of god and religious belief.

Love Songs:-

Love is something as old as humanity itself, and this is how it is expressed in the folklore of the Muslims in Sri Lanka.

Man : Wearing blouse

tightening the breasts

and carrying water

Oh, Machi -can’t you

give a little water to me

with your golden hand.?

Woman : Here, at the Canal

Insect would fall, cricket,

Would fall ………

Won’t you come home, oh Machaan

I’ll give even warm water to you 

Unjal (swing) songs during wedding ceremonies

Wedding comes after Love. In Tamil culture, on the day of wedding the bride and the bride-groom would be seated in a swing and the swing would be swayed to and fro by kith and kin along with singing songs, blessing the couple. Contrary to popular belief  such a practice exists among the Muslims too.

Soebanam, Soebanam, Soebanamae,

Ingu sugirdha penn Manamagan

Vaazhgavae 

Boat songs by fisher folk:-

Most Muslims set out to foreign lands within a year of their wedding, to earn wealth. Such a husband who had gone to Dhubai didn’t turn up. Therefore, his wife waiting for him and languishing imagines herself to be singing a duet with her husband. So, the following song moves on.

Oh my beloved ‘Machaan’, gone on a voyage

Oh you who has made my eyes ache with longing,

I keep vigil, awaiting your arrival.

Praying day and night I am here languishing ( Oh my beloved Machaan… )

…

Oh, my darling swan, the sweetest

Part of Sugarcane, Oh precious

Emerald, full of love for me

( Oh my darling swan – )

…

With Allah’s mercy and blessing

I will come

…

Note: In rural areas the practice of referring to aeroplane as ship (Kappal for Vimaanam) is still in vogue in several villages.

Labour Songs:-

The people of ‘ Mattakalappu ’ who hold agricultural work in high esteem are in the habit of singing such verses as given below to relieve themselves of fatigue.

VAAPPA ( Father ) is also in the field

UMMA ( Mother ) is also in the village

KAAKKA is also in the shop

Oh, come at dawn itself, my Machaan 

In the coming up sections, we shall take more songs, in their specific context and explore the culture of Muslims, who remain invisible because of their social location in the margins of the society.

Tags: chennai, Dargahs, documentary, folk tradition, Folklore, GANA songs, Islamic, Kunnangudi Masthan, lullubies, Mattakalapu, Mohammed, Muslims, Nabi