Bonbibi JohuranamaBengali, in Perso-Arabic-heavy vocabulary
Bonbibi and her brother Shah Jangali are sent from Medina to the eighteen tides' country to make it habitable; they defeat the Brahmin tiger-lord Dakshin Rai, and then divide the forest with him rather than destroy him. The Dukhey episode — a boy left in the forest by the honey merchant Dhona as a payment to Dakshin Rai, and rescued when he calls Bonbibi's name — is the part everyone can recite.
Sung at: Bonbibi's puja in Magh, and before any entry into the forest. Composed in dwipadi payar by nineteenth-century poets, of whom Munshi Mohammad Khater and Bayanuddin are the names usually given, and printed as a cheap puthi that is still sold at the island markets.
Bonbibi Pala songsBengali
The Johuranama set to melody and dialogue, with a chorus, harmonium and dhol. The Dukhey scenes are sung; the negotiation between Bonbibi and Dakshin Rai is largely spoken.
Sung at: All-night performance at the puja.
BhatiyaliBengali
The river, the far bank and separation. Sung here on tidal water, where the direction of travel reverses twice a day and the song does not.
Sung at: Alone at the helm on the ebb.
Gazir gaanBengali
The exploits of Gazi Pir, protector of cattle and of travellers in the forest, who is shown riding a tiger. Sung with a painted scroll unrolled beside the singer.
Sung at: Village fairs and vows.
Manasa mangal and the Behula episodeBengali
A merchant who refuses to worship the snake goddess, the death of his son on his wedding night, and Behula's raft journey with the body. A water-borne narrative in a water-borne country, and one of the oldest Bengali narrative poems still performed.
Sung at: Manasa puja in Sraban, and at Netidhopani, whose ruin is locally attached to the story.
Bonbibi's brotos — women's vow songsBengali
Short vows and songs performed by women at home while the men are in the forest, including restrictions on combing hair, cooking certain foods and leaving the house. The observance ends when the party returns.
Sung at: When a forest-going household member is away.
Jelé and mouli work songsBengali
Short call-and-response lines timed to a shared physical effort, with Bonbibi's name used as the stress syllable. Function first, devotion second, and the two are not separable in practice.
Sung at: Net hauling and comb cutting.