Types of Folk Music in India

India is home to a wide variety of folk music. This post covers the different types of folk music found in India, from the more well-known styles to the lesser known regional varieties.

Classical music

Different types of folk music are found in India. India is a huge country with over 1.3 billion people and a long, rich history. Folk music has been passed down through the generations, often by oral tradition. It is often a form of storytelling, and can be used for religious purposes or for entertainment.

There are four main types of folk music in India: classical, regional, tribal, and light. Classical folk music is based on the ancient Vedic texts and is associated with the Hindu religion. It is typically performed by professional musicians on classical instruments such as the sitar and tabla. Regional folk music is found in specific geographic areas and is often based on the regional dialect or language. Tribal folk music is typically associated with indigenous peoples who have their own unique traditions and musical styles. Light folk music is more modern and often incorporates elements from other genres, such as pop or film music.

Light music

Light music is a category of music that is soothing and calming to the ears. It is broadly classified into two genres, classical and semi-classical. Classical light music includes genres such as thumri, ghazal, and bhajan, while semi-classical light music encompasses genres such as qawwali and filmi songs. Light music is often performed in small concert halls and on television shows.

Some of the most popular folk music in India includes devotional songs, patriotic songs, love songs, ballads, and rhymes. Devotional songs are sung to praise a deity or express one’s religious beliefs. Patriotic songs are written to instill a sense of patriotism and love for one’s country. Love songs are written to express the emotions of love, while ballads are slower paced songs that tell a story. Rhymes are short poems set to music, usually with a playful or humorous tone.

Folk music

Folk music is vocal music performed by people who share a common cultural tradition, outputting traditional songs handed down by oral tradition. The repertoire typically includes lyrics and tunes that tell stories of love, loss, work, and the human experience. Folk music is typically associated with rural life and depicts the views and values of the people living in those areas.

India is home to a large number of folk music traditions, each with its own history and style. Many of these traditions are centuries old, passed down from generation to generation through oral tradition. Some of the most popular folk music styles in India include Bhangra, Bihu, Chakk De Phattey, Dandiya Raas, Garba, Jhoomar, Kathakali Padam, Koli Geet, Lavani, Rajasthani folk music, Sufi folk music, Tamasha Geet , Thumri , and Uttar Pradesh Folk Music .

Film music

Film music is a genre of popular music that accompanies the making of Indian films. The music is an integral part of films produced in the country and it is often inspired by the film’s story, theme, or mood. It typically features instruments such as the sitar, tabla, shehnai, and sarangi, and often incorporates elements from classical, folk, and popular music.

Patriotic music

Patriotic music in India is often associated with the nationalistic fervor that characterized the Indian independence movement. This type of music typically features patriotic lyrics and themes, and is often sung at political rallies and other events celebrating Indian independence. Some well-known patriotic songs in India include “Vande Mataram,” “Jana Gana Mana,” and “Saare Jahan Se Accha.”

Ghazals

Ghazals are a form of Urdu poetry which originated in Arabia and Persia, and later spread to South Asia. The ghazal is a short poem consisting of couplets (two lines of verse) which share a rhyme and have a similar meter. Each couplet is autonomous, meaning it can stand alone as a separate poem; however, the ghazals are often woven together to form a longer work.

Ghazals were originally written in Arabic and Persian, but they quickly spread to other regions of the Muslim world, including India. In India, the ghazal came to be associated with Urdu poetry, and it was during the Mughal era that this form of poetry reached its height of popularity. Today, ghazals are still written in Urdu, but they also exist in other languages such as Hindi, Punjabi, and Bengali.

The ghazal is a deeply emotional form of poetry which often deals with themes of love, loss, and longing. The best ghazals are those which strike a balance between the personal and the universal, offering insights into the human condition that can be relatable to anyone.

Bhajans

Bhajans are a type of Hindu devotional music. The word “bhajan” comes from the Sanskrit word bhaj, which means “to share.” Bhajans are typically sung in a group setting, with one or more lead singers and a chorus of supporting singers.

Bhajans often use simple melodies and harmonies, with little or no instrumental accompaniment. The lyrics of bhajans are usually based on Hindu scriptures, such as the Bhagavad Gita, the Ramayana, or the Puranas.

Bhajans are commonly performed at Hindu temples and shrines, as well as at religious festivals and other special occasions. They can also be heard on the radio and television, and online.

Qawwalis

Qawwalis are a type of folk music that originated in India. This type of music is characterized by its use of devotional lyrics and spiritual themes. Qawwalis often incorporate classical and Sufi elements into their music, and they are typically performed by male vocalists.

Sufi music

Sufi music is a genre of music inspired by Sufism, the mystical branch of Islam. It is often based on love, longing and divine passion, and uses instruments like the sitar, tabla and sarangi. Qawwalis are a popular type of Sufi music, and often tell stories from the life of the prophet Muhammad.

Tribal music

Tribal music is the music of the various indigenous peoples of India. It covers a wide range of styles, both vocal and instrumental, depending on the local tradition. The best-known form of Indian tribal music is probably the Snake Charmer’s music, which is also known as bagpipe music. Other popular forms include the Gharana and Qawwali styles from Uttar Pradesh, and the Bhangra style from Punjab.