“Kaun taal par dholak baje kaun taal mridang?
Kaun taal par goriya nache kaun taal par hum?
Jogira sar r r!!!”
With the arrival of spring and beginning from Shri Panchami till Phagu Purnima, it was once a tradition in the villages, neighborhoods, and courtyards of Mithila to sing Jogira. Today, however, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find people to sing these traditional songs, and thus the custom is fading.
Jogira, once commonly sung during Holi in Mithila, is rich with expressions of love, sweetness, and high energy. Cultural scholar Kishori Sah remarks, “Holi and music share a deep bond. Holi cannot even be imagined without Jogira or music. It is a festival that cleanses the heart of resentment and bitterness.”
Ramkhelawan Mahto, a 70-year-old resident of Ward-2, Mithila Municipality, said, “Earlier, there was a tradition of traveling from village to village singing Jogira from Shri Panchami to Phagu Purnima. But now, neither are the elders around, nor do the youth want to sing these songs. Even the drums and mridangs don’t play the way they used to.”
Rambharosi Yadav, 75, from Ward-5, Kshireshwarnath Municipality, shared:
“Pahine phagu abite dholak, dafra aa jogira ke aawaj se gaam goonjait chhalai, muda akhan, hamrasabh ke samuh ke keteko lok mair gel, je banchal chhi se vriddh bh gelaun, muda jogira gebak ras ekhano achhi. Ha, sang debebala keo chhai?”
Ramdular Mahto, 65, of Hariharpur, performed Jogira in his unique style:
“Kinka haath kanak pichkari,
Kinka haath abeer jhori?
Ramji haathme kanak pichkari,
Siyaji ke haath abeer jhori
!! Jogira…sarrarr…!!”
These devotional, romantic, and satirical Jogiras were traditionally sung in the Maithili language. They were a vibrant form of Fagu geet (spring songs) that at times made young women blush, encouraging bold expression and joyful dance beyond typical social restrictions. But as Jogira fades, so too does the artistic beauty of Holi.
Rajesh Karn, central member of the Federation of Nepali Journalists, said: “Holi is a cultural heritage of Mithila. It carries the message of overcoming untouchability, casteism, and religious divides. Unfortunately, DJ culture has replaced Jogira, thereby threatening the originality of Maithili traditions.”
Traditional Holi songs begin from Shri Panchami and reach a climax on the seventh day after the conclusion of the Mithila Madhyamiki Parikrama, [Related to Mithila Parikrama] when pilgrims celebrate Holi with colors in Kanchanvan, Mahottari.
According to mythology, in Satyayuga, the tyrant king Hiranyakashipu tried to force his son Prahlad to stop worshipping Lord Vishnu. When he failed, he ordered his sister Holika to burn Prahlad alive. But while Holika perished, Prahlad survived unharmed—marking the origin of Holika Dahan, celebrated on the night of Phagun Shukla Purnima, followed by the festival of colors the next day.
Satish Lal Karn, a resident of Janakpurdham-12, said in Maithili : “Pahine Holi geet me prem, umang, unmuktata, dharmikta aa paramparak gahira arth rahait chhal, muda akhan uchchhrinkhal geet sab bajay lagal achhi. Ohi karane madhurya aa sauhardr bharal Holi geet viral bha gel achhi.”
Earlier, the echo of Jogira songs brought joy to every village. The humor, teasing, and affectionate exchanges made Holi delightful. Today, modern and often tuneless music has taken its place, diluting the cultural richness of Mithila and Holi.
Ramlal Mahto from Hariharpur, Ward-7, Kshireshwarnath, noted: “The traditional essence of Holi is being lost. The main reasons are rising conflicts, grudges, and societal bitterness. People now hesitate to sing Holi songs. The spiritual, philosophical, and authentic sides of Holi are no longer taken seriously, which has narrowed the festival’s meaning.”
In the past, village elders would gather at the chaupal (community space) after dusk, and in groups, sing Holi songs and Jogiras with instruments like jhyāl, mridang, dhol, dafra, and turki. But as Satyanarayan Singh, a 70-year-old from Sakhua Bazaar, reflects, “Those days are disappearing.” Many young people have migrated to Gulf countries for work, causing these traditions to vanish.
Amarlal Karn, from Parwata, Dhanushadham Municipality, added: “Today’s Holi lacks love and harmony. Instead, it has become a breeding ground for animosity. Liquor has replaced bhang, and goodwill has given way to resentment. Thus, the spiritual beauty and depth of Holi are fading.”
From a religious and cultural perspective, Holi remains an incredibly important festival, bringing people of all communities together. Earlier, Holi songs carried messages of peace, harmony, and faith, but now vulgar lyrics dominate.
Ramkripal Jaiswal from Sakhua Bazaar said, “Today’s Holi songs are filled with obscenity, which is destroying the traditional sweetness of the festival.”
The tradition of singing Holi songs is more alive in rural Mithila than in urban areas. These village songs carry the earthy aroma, authenticity, and cultural soul of the region—something that urgently needs preservation. Senior cultural expert and journalist Rambharos Kapadi remarked, “The old songs spoke of love stories and divine couples like Ram-Sita and Shiv-Parvati. But now, western influences and vulgarity dominate, killing the charm of Holi songs.”
In homes today, traditional Holi songs have been replaced by Bhojpuri and modern tracks. While spring still ushers in Basantotsav (festival of spring), Jogira is vanishing. Writer and cultural scholar Dr. Rajendra Bimal said, “Holi should be such that both men and women can participate fearlessly. Like the people of Mithila, it should be a festival of love and togetherness.”
To protect this fading tradition of Holi songs and Jogira in Mithila-Madhesh, the Mithila Natya Kala Parishad (MINAP) in Janakpurdham has been organizing Jogira competitions, inviting people from different villages in recent years. These efforts aim to revive and safeguard this vibrant part of Maithil heritage.
