1.2 Name of the element, as used by the community or group concerned
Gosai Gaan
1.3 Short, maximally informative title (including indication of domain(s))
Gosai Gaan is a narrative performance where life of Sri Krishna and the philosophy of Deha Tatwa (physiology) is described through melodious poetry and narrations. This performance is generally performed at the north region of Bangladesh
1.4 Community(ies)/group(s) that recognize the element as part of their cultural heritage
This community generally devotes themselves to Vaishnab Religion. They follow the path that have been shown by Sri Krishna and consider this performance as their prayer. Also, they consider this as the way of their life.
1.5 Physical location(s) of the element/how often it is practiced
Gosai Gaan is generally practiced at the northern part of Bangladesh, but my concern is about the community who are the resident of a village called Balia of Thakurgaon district of Bangladesh.
1.6 Short description (max. 200words)
Goshai Gaan is a spiritual performance. It is more likely worshipping. In this performance, narrative style is followed where the life of Sri Krishna and the philosophy of physiology is been described. Generally musical verses are been used along with the narrations. These Goshai Gaan teams are generally consist of 4-5 members where male and female genders are included. In a 5 members team, there could be 1 or 2 female members. The Goshai Gaan team roams around the locality and sits somewhere they feel like to and start performing. The money that they earn as Dakshina, is the only income they make to live. But sometimes they perform on the basis of contract, especially during the winter season and poojas. As instrument, they use a very small numbers of traditional intruments which are also significant in philosophical way. They also maintain a constant dress code in the color Gerua, hairstyle and some ornaments which are more likely as the Bauls. Their performaces always start with a ritual where they worship God and natural energies. There is no fixed duration of this performance, sometimes it continues the whole day or night, again sometimes it ends within an hour or two.
1.7 Domain of the element (select one or more/suggest alternative domain)
2. Characteristics of the element
2.1 Practitioners(s)/performer(s): roles, age, gender, social status, and/or professional category etc)
Ramesh Goshai: founder, age- 70, gender- male, professional category- artist.
Binod Goshai: companion, age- 56, gender- male, professional category- artist.
Champarani Goshai: companion, age- 62, gender- female, professional category- artist.
Parboti Goshai: companion, age- 50, gender- female, professional category- artist.
2.2 Other tradition bearers (individuals/groups and their roles)
Kamruzzaman Shadhin: CEO of Gidree Bawlee foundation of the arts
Salma Jamal Moushum: co-founder, Gidree Bawlee foundation of the arts
(They are involved to promote and sustain this practice and have been contributing as facilitator to them)
2.6 How are women and people of other genders associated with this ICH element
Women are equally associated with this element as the men are.
2.7 Division of labour during the practice of aforementioned ICH element
Equally divided.
2.8 Customary practices governing access to the element or to aspects of it
To get diverted to Vaishnab religion and to gain the spiritual energy to devote the life after worshipping Sri Krishna.
2.9 Modes of transmission
Transmission doesn’t need any institutional training. It rather works by observing and meditating. When someone is eager to devote his/her life after worshipping Sri Krishna and promoting Vaishnab religion under the identity as a Gosai, this is when and how the transmission works.
2.10 Organizations concerned (non-governmental organizations and others)
Gidree Bawlee foundation of the arts is facilitating the Goshai Gaan team of the village Balis of Thakurgaon.
3. State of the element (viability)
3.1 Threats to the enactment (if any)
The threat they face mostly, is derived from the religious (of other religion) leaders of the society. Also, they have to think about leaving this life behind for the sake of earning more to lead a secured life.
3.2 Threats to the transmission (if any)
There be some religious and societal threats.
3.3 Threat to associated tangible elements and resources (if any)
N/B
3.4 Viability of associated intangible elements (if any)
N/B
3.5 Safeguarding measures in place (if any)
Gidree Bawlee Foundation of the arts is trying to safeguard or to take measures to overcome the threats.
4. Data gathering/documentation, Consent and preparation of inventory entries
4.1 Consent of community/group/individuals concerned for data collection with a view to inventorying
N/B
4.2 Restrictions, if any, on use of data collected
there is no restriction.
5. Resource Person
5.1 Persons/groups, including community representatives
Kamruzzaman Shadhin, Founder & CEO of Gidree Bawlee Foundation of the Arts.
Salma Jamal Moushum, co- founder, Gidree Bawlee Foundation of the Arts
5.2 Date(s) and place(s) of data gathering
Date : 2019-04-20 Place(s) : N/B
6. Safeguarding techniques
6.1 Existing safeguarding techniques in the community for the safeguarding of the ICH element
N/B
6.2 Suggestions for safeguarding of the ICH element from the community
N/B
7. References to literature, discography, audiovisual materials or archives
7.1 References to/in literature
N/B
7.2 Audiovisual materials or archives
N/B
7.3 Discography or archives
N/B
8. Modalities for updating the information contained in the inventory entry
8.1 Persons/groups, including community representatives, who compiled the inventory entry
Imtenaan Mohammad Jaquie
MA Student
Dept. Of Theatre & Performance Studies
University of Dhaka
8.2 Consent of community/group/individuals concerned for data collection with a view to inventorying
N/B
8.3 Date of community consent to include the entry on an inventory
2020-10-01
8.4 Present condition of the cultural element
Threatened with extinction
9. Community suggestions
(a)Brief description of suggestions for safeguarding of the element by community members/experts/holders, if any
N/B
(b)Brief description of restrictions on use of data collected, if any