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Mihirlal Singh Deo


Mihirlal Singh Deo was one of the pioneers who made Jhumur flourish outside Purulia. In 1939 he was born in a Zamindar family in Rajnawagarh under Kenda police station in Purulia. His uncle Hariprasad Singh Deo was a famous singer. Classical music was his family tradition. After completing his Graduation and Post graduation in music with distinction Mihirlal took up jhumur against the will of his family. He didn’t forget to remember his roots and Folk heritage. He was responsible for flourishing Jhumur amongst the young people.
 In the initial years of his life Mihirlal used to practice Classical music. After that he started to be trainned from a renowned Jhumur artist Ramkrishna Ganguly. Mihirlal has played an important role in re-introducing Jhumur songs which was in the verge of extinction. People said that Jhumur song needs accompaniment of a Dancer, otherwise it won’t attract people. Mihirlal proved them wrong and made a prominent place in the world of Jhumur without dance.

The songs of Mihirlal conveyed not only the romance between Radha and Krishna or Dehatattwa but also practicalities of life. His few songs are based on environmental awareness. ‘Jal batash mati kono na rohilo khati/ Poribeshe dhorilo bhangon/ Bhumisantan tomrai paro prakriti ke roksha koro/ Mihir bole sobai mile make sajao moner-i-moton.’ Beside this he also wrote a song on the destruction done by elephants in the tribal village-‘Kutum alya hatir Gushti/ Kore dilo Anasrishti, saksobji sob I chhilo snurye’.
Mihirlal’s talents spread through a great region and he was praised by Pandit Ravi Shankar for his immense contribution to Jhumur. In 2018, on 18th January Mihirlal Singh Deo passed away.

In 2010, Mihirlal Singh Deo along with Salabat Mahato and Amulya Kumar recorded an album named Darbari Jhumur, published by BNC Musical.

 To listen to his songs on your phone download the app Folks of Bengal  from Google Playstore.





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