Why are the untold stories of women of Bihar hidden in the songs of Chhath?

Chhath Puja Songs: As soon as the name of Chhath Puja comes, women offering Arghya at the ghats and resonating traditional songs come to mind. In Bihar and Purvanchal, Chhath is not just a festival of faith but is also a festival related to emotions and relationships. Mother's love, the pain of daughter's departure and wishes for the happiness of the family are hidden in its folk songs.

Women's feelings are heard in Chhath songs

The most special thing about the traditional songs of Chhath is that in them the thoughts of women come out in a very simple manner. In many songs a mother wishes for the long life of her children and the prosperity of the family. In some songs a daughter remembers her maternal home.

In these folk songs, women's happiness, anxiety, hope and sometimes their loneliness can also be felt. This is why Chhath songs are not just a part of worship, but are also the voice of the emotional world of women.

Daughter's departure and the pain of memories of mother's home

There is mention of the daughter and her maternal home in many traditional Chhath songs of Bihar. When a daughter goes to her in-laws' house after marriage, the memories of her maternal home always remain in her mind. This feeling becomes deeper on festivals like Chhath. In the songs of Chhath, sometimes the daughter remembers her mother and sometimes expresses her desire to meet her brother. The sentiments hidden in these songs feel personal to every woman who has started a new life away from her home and family after marriage.

Mother's love and wishes for the happiness of the family

During Chhath Puja, women keep fast for the long life of their children and the happiness and prosperity of the family. In the folk songs of Chhath, the mother wishes for the good future of her children, the safety of her husband and happiness and peace at home. The specialty of these songs is that instead of big words, they contain small sentiments related to everyday life. That's why everyone who listens to them feels connected to them.

Traditional songs of Chhath connect generations

There is also a beautiful tradition of Chhath songs that they are passed on from one generation to the next. The elderly women of the house teach traditional songs to their daughters and daughters-in-law. The new generation also connects with their culture by learning these songs. Today, even though Chhath songs are easily heard on mobile and music platforms, the women of the house sitting together and singing songs even today gives a different sense of belonging.

'On the leaves of Kelva, Ugelan bowed down to peep out the urine…'

In this song, which became popular in the voice of folk singer Sharda Sinha, the fasting woman is asked for whom she is observing the difficult fast of Chhath. In response to this she expresses her feeling of fasting for her children, husband and family.

These lyrics of the song show that Chhath Puja is not only a religious faith for women, but also a medium to express love, responsibility and good wishes towards their family.

The world of women is alive in folk songs

If you listen carefully to the songs of Chhath, not only the worship of Sun God and religious faith, but the entire life of the women of Bihar is visible in them. His relationships, responsibilities, dreams, struggles and emotions, everything is hidden in these songs. Perhaps this is the reason why despite changing times, the popularity of traditional songs of Chhath has not diminished. These songs connect women to their roots and continue to pass on their untold stories to future generations.