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The region has been the front runner in all kinds of art forms. The writers and thinkers of pre-partitioned Bengal were the main stay of the Indian freedom movement. The sculptors were known the world over for their skills. The ancient Bengal was famous for Devdasis, Natch girls and courtesans. The tribal tradition of earning a living by dancing was popular till the Moguls invaded the sacred space. The Nats and Dom tribes would travel from one village to other and perform dancing plays called Jatra.
The tradition of dancing was again given its due stature by Rabindranath Tagore. He established the Shantiniketan to teach dancing and singing in a simplified form. Today Rabindra Sangeet has a special place in the established music forms. The progressive Bengal was never restricted to its indigenous dance forms only. The Ballet found its niche in the early twentieth century and even today Ballet performances are conducted in Calcutta. The other famous dance forms of West Bengal are Chhau, Jhumar and Raibense. West Bengal Music The passion of the Bengalis is music; there is music for every occasion, be it birth or death, be it festivities or sorrow, be it a temple or a bar room. The older times there were village poets who would compose songs for any occasion under the sun and sing with a bamboo flute and two stringed instruments. The Bengali Gharana is a famous form of Indian classical music. The other famous styles are the Kirtan style based on the early life of Lord Krishna. Then the Vishnupur Style of music for devotional songs which was patronized by none other than Tansen. Thumri, folk songs and Rabindra Sangeet all are part of the great Bengali musical odyssey.
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