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Paper short abstract

Ritual songs as Sohar, Chhath Geet, central to Bihar’s festivals, childbirth, and seasonal rites, support healing and resilience. Their lyrics convey protection, blessings, and emotional release, strengthening social bonds and cultural memory, now reaching wider audiences through digital sharing.

Paper long abstract

Ritual songs such as Jhijhiya, Sohar, Kajari, and Chhath Geet form the heart of Bihar’s cultural and spiritual life, performed during festivals, childbirth, and seasonal transitions. Earlier scholarship has examined their symbolic and social meanings, but less attention has been given to how their lyrics express healing and emotional care. This study explores the narratives and imagery within these songs to understand how they nurture individual and collective resilience.

Drawing on archival and contemporary lyrics, along with observations of communal performances, the research identifies recurring themes of protection, blessings, devotion, and reassurance. These motifs are often expressed through references to seasonal cycles, fertility, and the natural environment, reflecting a worldview in which human well-being is inseparable from nature. The songs serve not only as emotional expression but as a shared act of renewal and strength, where singing together becomes a form of collective healing.

In the contemporary context, the circulation of these songs on digital platforms such as YouTube and Instagram is transforming how they are shared and experienced. Yet, their therapeutic essence continues to endure, adapting to new modes of expression while retaining their emotional depth and social meaning. By tracing these songs from the village courtyard to digital spaces, this study highlights how oral traditions continue to sustain emotional balance, inner strength, and a sense of belonging in changing cultural landscapes.