Folk music is the musical expression of people of a particular region or area. In the rhythm of folk music and musical instruments used in it, we find that there is a clear impression of what that region is like or what people are like. Binai folk music is one such folk musical instrument of Uttarakhand.
The Himalayas, mountains, rivers, ponds, waterfalls, and jungles all compose Uttarakhand’s special and beautiful musical environment. The musical expression of this environment is carried by a few special types of musical instruments known as traditional folk instruments. A similar environment is home to many states and countries across the world where people love their folk music. This is why the Himalayan states of India and neighboring Himalayan regions of neighboring countries have similarities in their folk music and preserve their music and art.
As we know, nowadays the folk music of Uttarakhand is not in a very good state. Many folk music genres have vanished with the passage of many great artists and vanished folk instruments.
The sound of Binai almost vanishes in Uttarakhand and is known and used by many other names in other parts of the country and abroad. Binai in English is known as Jaw Harp. This instrument is also called by the names of Morsing, Mukhrshankhu, Morchhang, and Morchhing, etc.
It is very well used in the folk music of Rajasthan. This instrument is mainly used to give rhythm to the song, so it is a rhythm instrument. It has been popularly used by Rabindra Music of Bengal. Besides, S.D. Burman and R.D. Burman have used Binai in their cinemas.