The Vice-President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, today released the book “Sanskritir Ratna Bhandar: Bhaowaiyar Itibritto” (Bhawaiya: A Cultural Treasure and Its Historical Journey), authored by Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) Dr. Jayanta Kumar Roy and Ms. Sangita Roy, at Uprashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.
Addressing the gathering, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan congratulated the authors for their dedicated efforts in bringing the rich cultural heritage of the Koch Rajbanshi community and the Bhawaiya folk tradition to the mainstream. He also appreciated the contribution of the publisher, Katha-O-Kahini, in documenting and preserving an important aspect of India’s cultural legacy.
He said that languages, music, customs and traditions across the country constitute a treasure-house of collective memory and living testimonies of the nation’s shared heritage. He observed that Bhawaiya, which emerged from the soil of North Bengal and adjoining regions, has for generations reflected the emotions, aspirations, struggles and wisdom of ordinary people.
The Vice President said that the book systematically traces the historical evolution of Bhawaiya and offers a fresh perspective on its origin and development. He noted that the work highlights the role of folk traditions, religious practices, agricultural customs, seasonal festivals and community life in shaping Bhawaiya as an organic expression of the social and cultural experiences of the people.
He added that the book provides valuable insights into the cultural history of North Bengal and the Koch Rajbanshi community. The Vice President said that music in ancient Bharat was regarded as a means of connecting human consciousness with the cosmic order.
Referring to the Sama Veda, the concept of Nada Brahma, and the traditions of Bhakti and Sufism, he said that music has always been viewed as a pathway to the Divine. He noted that long before the emergence of Western classical music, Bharat had the Natya Shastra of Bharata Muni, which treated music as a fundamental expression of human emotion and spiritual realization.
Highlighting the resilience of Bhawaiya, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan said that despite the forces of modernization, urbanization and globalization, the tradition continues to survive and evolve because it remains rooted in authentic human experiences and universal emotions.
Calling upon the younger generation to actively participate in cultural preservation, the Vice President urged them to harness technology to safeguard languages, customs, values and traditional knowledge systems. He stated that as India moves towards the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, cultural preservation must remain an integral part of national development.
He emphasized that development becomes meaningful only when accompanied by cultural confidence and civilizational awareness. Referring to the recent International Day of Yoga celebrations, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan said that India’s ancient traditions continue to offer solutions to contemporary global challenges.
He noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the world is increasingly looking towards Bharat for initiatives such as Yoga and Mission LiFE. Quoting Mahakavi Subramania Bharathi, he underscored that India’s strength lies not in uniformity but in its vibrant diversity united by a common civilizational spirit.
“We have many languages, cultures and communities, yet we are one nation and share one civilizational spirit. Bharat is One and shall remain one forever,” Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan said. Among those present on the occasion were Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha); Dr. Jayanta Kumar Roy, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) and Author of the book; Ms. Sangita Roy, Co-author of the book; Prof. (Dr.) Nikhil Chandra Ray, former Vice-Chancellor of Cooch Behar Panchanan Barma University; and Shri Debraj Patra, Publisher, Katha-O-Kahini.
About Bhawaiya
Bhawaiya is a traditional folk music genre of North Bengal, Assam and adjoining regions. The musical tradition is deeply rooted in the social, cultural and agrarian landscape of the region and remains an important expression of its collective heritage.