India’s Folk Music Genres You Need to Know
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India is home to a wide variety of folk music genres, each with its own unique history and sound. In this blog post, we’ll introduce you to some of the most popular folk music genres from India that you need to know about.
Introduction to India’s folk music
India is a country with a rich and diverse culture, and this extends to its music. There are a variety of folk music genres that originate from different parts of the country. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at some of the most popular folk music genres from India.
What is folk music?
Most people think of folk music as being old-fashioned and therefore not particularly relevant to modern life. But in fact, it is a living tradition that continues to evolve and be enjoyed by people all over the world.
Folk music is the traditional music of a country or region, typically passed down orally from one generation to the next. It often has strong roots in the culture, history and everyday life of the community it comes from.
Folk music can be divided into two main types: traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. Traditional folk music is passed down from generation to generation and usually has a more ‘rootsy’ sound, while contemporary folk music is written and performed by modern musicians and often has a more polished sound.
There are many different genres of folk music, each with its own distinct style. Some of the most popular are blues, country, Celtic, contemporary Christian, flamenco, gospel, hip hop, kids’ songs, Latin American, native American, reggae and rock.
If you’re interested in exploring this rich and varied genre of music, here are some of the most popular folk music genres from around the world that you need to know about.
The origins of India’s folk music
India is a land of great diversity, and this is reflected in its music. The country has scores of distinct musical traditions, many of them centuries old. India’s folk music is based on the everyday lives of the people, with songs often reflecting their joys and sorrows.
India’s folk music can be divided into two broad categories: the music of the north, and the music of the south. The north Indian tradition is dominated by Hindu culture, while the south has a strongly Tamil musical tradition.
The north Indian folk music tradition is based around two main instruments: the sarangi and the harmonium. The sarangi is a highly versatile string instrument, capable of producing both melodic and percussive sounds. The harmonium is a pump-operated keyboard instrument which provides accompaniment for singing.
North Indian folk music often takes the form of devotional songs called bhajans. These songs usually extol the virtues of Hindu gods and goddesses, and are often sung in temples or at religious festivals. Another type of north Indian folk song is the qawwali, a devotional song sung in praise of the Muslim prophet Muhammad. Qawwalis are often performed at Sufi shrines.
The south Indian folk music tradition is dominated by the Carnatic style, which originated in the southern state of Karnataka. This style places great emphasis on vocal performance, with complex ragas (melodic structures) and elaborate talas (rhythmic patterns). The most important instrument in Carnatic music is the veena, a plucked string instrument similar to a sitar.
Like north Indian bhajans, Carnatic songs often have a devotional character, although they may also be secular in nature. patriotic songs called janagamana paddhatis are also popular in Karnataka. These songs date back to medieval times, when they were sung by soldiers going into battle.
India’s folk music traditions reflect the rich diversity of the country’s culture and society. From devotional bhajans to patriotic janagamana paddhatis, there is a vast repertoire of Folk Songs waiting to be explored!
The different genres of India’s folk music
India’s folk music is diverse and varied, with different genres emerging from different parts of the country. There’s the upbeat and enthusiastic Bhangra from the Punjab region, the haunting and melancholic Ghazals from Uttar Pradesh, and the energetic and lively Jatha from Karnataka. Each genre has its own unique characteristics, and there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Bhangra
Bhangra is a genre of Indian folk music that originated in the Punjab region. The word bhangra means “dance of the joyous” in Punjabi, and the music is often accompanied by traditional Bhangra dancing. The main instruments used in Bhangra are the dhol (a type of drum), tumbi (a one-stringed instrument), sarangi (a stringed instrument) and chimta (hand-held cymbals).
The most popular type of Bhangra music is Punjabi Bhangra, which originated in the Punjab region of India and Pakistan. Other types of Bhangra include Haryanvi Bhangra, Rajasthani Bhangra and Gujarati Bhangra.
Sufi
Sufi music is a genre of music associated with the Sufis, disciples of the great 12th century Sufi poet and philosopher Rumi. The music is based on love, devotion and spirituality, and is often seen as a bridge between the different cultures of the world.
Sufi music is sometimes slow and meditative, and sometimes fast and ecstatic. It is often accompanied by the use of instruments such as the sitar, tabla, dholak and harmonium.
Sufi music has been popularized by Sufi singers such as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Abida Parveen and Hazrat Inayat Khan.
Ghazal
Ghazal is a genre of music that originated in Persia and is now very popular in South Asia, particularly Pakistan and India. It is a form of poetry that is sung to a melody, usually with instruments such as the sitar or sarangi. Ghazals often have a religious or spiritual theme, and they are often about love.
Qawwali
Qawwali is a form of Sufi devotional music popular in South Asia, particularly in Pakistan and India. It is a music based on the works of Sufi poets, and usually features a size-able group of musicians singing alongside a lead vocalist. Qawwali often has a call-and-response format, whereby the main singer delivers lines of poetry and the accompanying musicians reply with short refrains.
Traditionally, qawwali was performed at Sufi shrines or dargahs, but it has since become popular at concerts and festivals too. The genre is also sometimes known as HAMADA, which refers to the distinctive drumming style that’s integral to qawwali music.
The artists who keep India’s folk music alive
India is home to a diverse range of cultures and music genres. One of the most popular genres is folk music. Folk music is often passed down from generation to generation, and it usually has a strong connection to the culture it comes from. There are many different folk music genres in India, and each one has its own unique history and sound.
Lata Mangeshkar
Lata Mangeshkar is considered one of the greatest playback singers in Indian cinema. Mangeshkar’s career started in 1942 and has spanned over seven decades. She has recorded songs for over a thousand Hindi films and has sung songs in over thirty-six regional Indian languages, but primarily in Marathi and Hindi. She is the eldest daughter of the legendary singer and composer Master Deenanath Mangeshkar, who belongs to the Gwalior gharana of Hindustani classical music and steered her musical education as a child. Born in 1929, Lata was exposed to music at an early age and started singing at the age of five. At the age of thirteen, she started playing leading roles in musicals like Piya Basanti and Sawan Baadh Khelo, which were produced by her father.
Lata Mangeshkar’s first film song was “Aayega Aane Wala” from the movie Rahi (1949). The song was composed by Hansraj Bahl and she sang it under the baton of Ghulam Mohammed. The song became so popular that it was used in several other films like Jhaansi Ki Rani (1953) and Naya Daur (1957). Mangeshkar went on to sing many other popular songs like “Piya Tose Naina Laage Re” (Guide, 1965), “Ajeeb Dastan Hai Yeh” (Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai, 1960), “Tu Pyar Ka Sagar Hai” (Seema, 1955) and “Chalte Chalte Yunhi Koi Mil Gaya Tha” (Pakeezah, 1972). She has also sung duets with some of the biggest names in Indian music like Mohammed Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Manna Dey and Mukesh.
Lata Mangeshkar has been honoured with several awards throughout her career, including the Bharat Ratna – India’s highest civilian award – in 2001. She has also received the Padma Bhushan (1969) and the Padma Vibhushan (1999) – two of India’s highest civilian awards – as well as eight Filmfare Awards for Best Female Playback Singer.
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was born in Faisalabad, Punjab, in 1948. His father, Ustad Fateh Ali Khan, was a renowned performer of Qawwali, the Sufi devotional music of the Indian subcontinent, and taught his son from a young age. Nusrat’s first public performance came at the age of 16, and he quickly rose to prominence as a virtuoso singer and composer of Qawwali. In the 1980s and ’90s, he began collaborating with Western musicians, bringing his intoxicating blend of spiritual ecstasy and pulsing rhythms to a wider audience. He died in 1997 at the age of 48.
A.R. Rahman
A.R. Rahman is one of the most popular and successful musicians in India. He has composed music for numerous Bollywood films and is also known for his work on the soundtracks of the Oscar-winning films “Slumdog Millionaire” and “127 Hours.” Rahman has won several awards, including two Academy Awards, two Grammy Awards, a BAFTA Award, and a Golden Globe Award. In addition to his work in film, Rahman is also a prominent figure in India’s classical music scene. He has released several albums of Hindustani and Carnatic music, and has collaborating with some of the world’s leading classical musicians.
Why India’s folk music is important
India is a vast and culturally diverse country, with each region having its own unique musical traditions. India’s folk music is an important part of the country’s musical heritage and has been passed down from generation to generation. India’s folk music genres are varied and include everything from devotional songs to dance music.
The connection to India’s culture
India’s folk music is an important part of the country’s cultural heritage. The music is used to communicate important social and religious messages, and it reflects the diversity of the people living in India.
There are many different genres of folk music in India, each with its own history and traditions. Some of the most popular genres include bhangra, qawwali, and ghazals. India’s folk music is often combined with other genres, such as classical and pop, to create new styles of music.
Bhangra is a popular folk music genre from the Punjab region of India. The music is based on the traditional drumming style of the region, and it often includes singing and dancing. Bhangra has become very popular in recent years, and it is often performed at weddings and other special occasions.
Qawwali is a type of devotional music that is popular in India and Pakistan. The lyrics of qawwali songs are typically devotional or spiritual in nature. Qawwali concerts often last for several hours, and they typically feature a group of musicians who sing and play instruments such as the harmonium and tabla.
Ghazals are another popular type of devotional music in India. Ghazals are usually sung by soloists, and they often include Persian or Urdu poetry. Ghazal concerts are often held in Sufi shrines, and the music is often used to help listeners achieve a state of meditation or trance.
The connection to India’s history
India’s folk music has been passed down through the generations, often orally, from one generation to the next. The music is an important part of the country’s cultural heritage.
Folk music reflects the diversity of India’s many cultures, and it is a significant part of the country’s musical tradition. India’s folk music includes a wide variety of genres, including devotional music, wedding music, seasonal music, and dance music.
The connection to India’s history is evident in the lyrics of many folk songs. The lyrics often tell stories of historical events or of the daily life and struggles of the people. India’s folk music is an important part of the country’s musical heritage and continues to be popular today.
The connection to India’s people
Unlike much of the music made in India for commercial release, which is often in Hindi or other languages, folk music is often in the local language of the region where it is performed.
Folk music is about the people and their connection to the land. The songs are passed down from generation to generation, and each performance is a little different from the last. The songs often tell stories of the people’s lives, their history, and their culture.
Folk music is an important part of India’s musical heritage. It is a way for the people to connect with their past and to keep their cultural traditions alive.
