Preserving Literary Heritage Through Orality and Music: A Study of Ganga Sati’s Bhajans

Abstract

The present paper entitled Preserving Literary Heritage Through Orality and Music: A Study of Ganga Sati’s Bhajans offers a unique window into the confluence of literary heritage and musical tradition, specifically within the context of Gujarati Folk music. The present study explores her bhajans from 3 different angles i.e. musicology, orality and Dhwani, as her bhajans, the outcome of intuitive poetic inspiration, rich in suggestiveness in the true sense of the term are preserved through oral tradition in the form of singing. The present study focuses on the function and impact of Gangasati's bhajans on the community, on how they are passed from one generation to another, taught, and performed. It examines how these bhajans embody the cultural and spiritual ethos of the time. The bhajans of Gangasati were original compositions and became widespread entirely through oral tradition. The orality aspect of transmission made her music widely accessible to a large population of non-literates, encouraging active community participation and spiritual engagement. The emphatic role of orality is highlighted since perpetuating and preserving the spiritual legacy along with the literary heritage was made possible through the persistent performances of Ganga Sati's bhajans and life story in the form of folk tales and singing in satsangs (devotional gatherings) and daira. The present study will examine the elements of Ganga Sati's bhajans, namely melody, rhythm, and improvisational aspects. The current study will also explore the use of Bhupali raga, a common raga facilitating easy memorization, to convey suggestive and mystical meanings to common people/laymen