Folk Songs of Chhattisgarh occupy a major place in the culture of the state. Tribes like Gond, Kamar, Kanver, Korva, Birhi, Baiga, Halba, Pando, Uranv, Binjhwar live in Chhattisgarh. During the celebration of different festivals and marriages these songs are sung by these tribes.
The folk songs of Chhattisgarh are either season or festival specific. There are songs that are sung for children, some are entertainment specific songs. The folk songs are sung during specific seasons like Baramasi, Sawnahi or rainy seasons and Fag or spring season. During the festivals like for Diwali Sua songs and Dohe of Rout Nacha are sung. Cher-Chera songs are sung in order to welcome new crops. Loriya are songs sung for the children and their playing songs include Kau-Mau, Loriya, Fugdi, Chau-Mau, Dandi Pouha, Khuduwa. Entertainment folk songs include Dewar songs, Karma songs and Danda. The regional folk songs include Janvara songs, Dhankul songs, Goura songs, songs of Nagpanchami, Mata Seva songs and Bhojali songs.
Among the rich traditional songs of Chattisgarh include sohar, bihav & Pathoni songs. Sohar songs are sung on the occasion of child birth. Bihav songs are sung on marriages. Chulmati, Telmati, Maymouri, Nahdouri, Parghani, Bhadoni are the major parts of Bihav songs. Pathoni songs are sung on the departure of a bride to the bridegroom`s home.
Pandavani is a ballad musical narrative that is based on the stories in the Mahabharata. However the hero is Bhima here.
Sua Songs are popular in the Bilaspur and Dantewada districts. They are accompanied with sua dance performances. Sua dances are performed during the celebration of festival Diwali.
Goura Songs are sung in praise of Gods and Goddesses of Chhattisgarh. These are basically folk devotional songs. It is sung in order to please Lord Shiva and Goddess Durga. Mata Seva Songs are also a set of devotional folk songs.
Other folk songs include Bhojali , Janvara, Dhankul, Nagapanchami, Fugdi, Kau mau, Chau mau, Khuduwa, DandiPouha and Dewar folk songs. Nagpanchami songs are sung in the praise of Lord Shiva. Snakes are considered to be the animal with divine powers. Fugdi songs are sung by the mothers for their small children. Kau-Mau songs possess a parental affection. The Chau- Mau songs are also sung by the mothers in order to pacify their children. Khuduwa, Dandi pouha are also songs sung by mothers for their children. Dewar songs are songs meant for pure merriment only.
