MY JANM BHOOMI BIHAR AND TO ITS PEOPLE.: BIHARI OF THE MONTH-IRFAN ALAM

Population – 82.9 million Area- 173,877 sq km Capital – Patna Main language- Hindi, Bhojpuri, Maithili Latitude-21°-58'-10" ~ 27°-31'-15" N Longitude-82°-19'-50" ~ 88°-17'-40" E Normal Rainfall-1,205 mm -173 Feet Avg. Number of Rainy Days -52.5 Days in a Year Folksongs & music of Bihar Bihar has a very old tradition of beautiful folk songs, sung during important family occasions, such as marriage, birth ceremonies, festivals, etc. They are sung mainly in group settings without the help of many musical instruments, though Dholak,Bansuri , and occasionally Tabla and Harmoniumare used.Bihar also has a tradition of lively Holi songs known as 'Phagua',filled with fun rhythms. During the 19th century, when the condition of Bihar worsened under the British misrule, many Biharis had to migrate as indentured labourers to West Indian islands, Fiji, and mauritius , Duringthis time many sad plays and songs called biraha became very popular, in the Bhojpur area. Dramas on that theme continue to be popular in the theaters of Patna.