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introduction
Separation or the pain of separation is referred to as ‘birha.’ In literary context, the poetic form in which the pain of separation is expressed is referred to as ‘birhare.’ Although separation is described in other poetic forms as well, in ‘birhare’ the theme of separation is central.
Some scholars, such as Sukhdev Madpuri, categorize birhare as a form of extended folk song. According to him, birhare are folk songs that express the misfortune of Panjabi women—songs that narrate the tale of a Panjabi woman’s suffering in deeply emotional and poignant language. In earlier times, men had to travel far away for trade or work, often being away from home for years. Left behind, their wives bore the pain of separation, enduring a double burden. ...
