Inside The Bidesia Project: Reviving the soul of Bhojpuri folk music

Founded by the filmmaker Simit Bhagat, the idea of introducing the Bidesia Project came into existence in 2018 during a solo motorcycle trip in 2017. The Bidesia Project is a non-profit initiative to archive, preserve, and promote endangered Bhojpuri folk music, oral traditions, and cultural history tied to the 19th-century migration of indentured labourers. Till date, the project has so far recorded more than 200 Bhojpuri folk songs with 25 singers. 50 full-length songs are available on YouTube while excerpts of the clips are shared both on digital and social media platforms.

Written by Aanya Mehta

August 8, 2026 17:00 IST

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At a time when many traditional art forms are fading from public memory, The Bidesia Project is working to preserve the rich heritage of Bhojpuri folk music. Through documentaries, field recordings, and a growing digital archive, the initiative is ensuring that centuries-old songs of migration, love, longing, and resilience continue to reach new generations. (official project website)

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A Mission to Save a Vanishing Tradition: The Bidesia Project is a non-profit initiative dedicated to conserving, archiving, and promoting Bhojpuri folk music traditions. Its goal is to document oral musical heritage before it disappears and make it accessible to future generations. (youtube: the bidesia project)

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Born From a 1,200-Km Journey: The project began after filmmaker Simit Bhagat undertook a solo motorcycle journey across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in 2017. Along the way, he met folk musicians, recorded performances, and uncovered stories that inspired the award winning documentary In Search of Bidesia. (simit bhagat official website)

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More Than 200 Songs Have Been Preserved: The project has recorded over 30 folk artists and archived 200+ Bhojpuri folk songs spanning genres such as Chaiti, Kajri, Birha, Barahmasa, Phagua, and Jatsaar. These recordings help preserve traditions that were largely passed down orally. (instagram: the bidesia project)

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The Songs Tell Stories of Migration: Bidesia folk songs emerged during the 19th century when large numbers of people from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh migrated as indentured labourers to British colonies. The songs captured the pain of separation, homesickness, and the longing of families left behind. (youtube: the bidesia project)

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An Award-Winning Documentary: In Search of Bidesia traces the connection between Bhojpuri folk music and the history of indentured migration. The documentary has been screened internationally and won the Best Music Documentary Award at the Royal Anthropological Institute Film Festival in the United Kingdom in 2021. (youtube: the bidesia project)

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Building a Global Archive of Memory: Beyond preserving music, The Bidesia Project is creating a cultural bridge between India and Bhojpuri-speaking diaspora communities in countries such as Mauritius, Fiji, South Africa, Suriname, and Trinidad. Through its archive, the project keeps alive stories that official histories often overlooked. (simit bhagat studios)