India’s Reliance group owned Big FM network has launched a show featuring folk music of Bengal for its Kolkata listeners.

‘Maatir Taney Maatir Gaaney’ is hosted by popular folk artist Kalika Prasad Bhattacharya and the show airs on Sundays from 5 pm to 7 pm.

Aiming to promote local talent and cultural heritage, it highlights the vast history and lives of famous Baul singers interspersed with folk music of various styles.

Bhattacharya also shares interesting anecdotes from his life of being a folk singer with listeners and shares philosophies and interesting stories related to the songs.

Speaking about his experience of hosting the show, Bhattacharya said: “Folk music forms an integral part of Kolkata’s culture. It holds great significance in the lives of music lovers in Kolkata, and forms a common chord for people to connect with one another. Being associated with folk music myself helps me draw insights and interesting facts about the genre, and pass on the same to the newer generation of listeners.” 

 A spokesperson from Big FM said: “We are contributing towards keeping the decade old folk music tradition alive among our listeners.”