Katnigeet

Katnigeet of Bihar is a folk music form that is associated with the harvesting of paddy in the state. It is a work song and as integral a part of Bihar's folk culture as rice itself is in the lives of the inhabitants of the Gangetic plains of Bihar. The poor rural people of Bihar have a tendency to commemorate every sphere of their activity with music and dances. These musical expressions provide entertainment and also help them to face the harsh realities of life. Bihar's Katnigeet is no exception. If the Ropnigeet is sung to celebrate the sowing of paddy seeds in the middle of high summer, then Katnigeet celebrates the successful completion of the process. It is a noble folk form which exalts the new harvest which becomes a symbol of prosperity and plenty.

Katnigeet in Bihar is sung mainly in the Gangetic plains of Bihar where rice is the major crop. Rice in these parts is more than a crop and is integrally located within the cultural spheres of the inhabitants of this region. Every step of its cultivation is celebrated with great enthusiasm. The final ritual or the harvesting celebrations are always special because they celebrate the time which has finally come to reap the benefits of a long season of extreme hard work. That it is celebrated in the pleasant months of late October and November adds to its delights.

Magadhi and Bhojpuri and its various region based dialectic variations are the languages of Katnigeet at Bihar. The songs are sung in group and are joyous in nature. The rhythm of the songs are made to match the movements of the sickles that cut the paddy in the fields. The songs are traditional and celebrate the effort and the long awaited result of these efforts.