The Folk Music of Tamil Nadu
Contents
The Folk Music of Tamil Nadu is an important part of the state’s cultural heritage. Join us as we explore the different types of folk music found in Tamil Nadu, from the village songs of the countryside to the more urbanized forms found in the cities.
Introduction
Tamil Nadu is a state in the south of India. The music of Tamil Nadu is one of the oldest and richest musical traditions in India. It is richly varied and includes both folk and classical traditions.
The folk music of Tamil Nadu is often accompanied by the nadaswaram, a wind instrument, and the thavil, a percussion instrument. Folk songs are usually sung in groups, and they often tell stories or express the feelings of love and loss.
Classical Tamil music is also very old, and it includes both Carnatic (South Indian) and Hindustani (North Indian) styles. Carnatic music is based on melody, while Hindustani music is based on rhythm. Classical Tamil music is usually performed by professional musicians, and it is often accompanied by the veena, a stringed instrument.
Tamil Nadu has produced many great musicians over the centuries. Some of the most famous Carnatic musicians include Muthuswami Dikshitar, Shyama Sastri, Thyagaraja, Mysore Sadasiva Rao, Mysore Vasudevachar, Subramania Bharatiyar , Vedanayakam Pillai , Gopalakrishna Bharathi , Pattinathar , Purandaradasa Among the Hindustani musicians from Tamil Nadu are Ilaiyaraaja , Veena Dhanammal , Zia Mohiuddin Dagar & Ustad Bismillah Khan .
The land and the people
Situated in the southern most tip of the Indian peninsula, Tamil Nadu is a land steeped in tradition and culture. The people of Tamil Nadu are proud of their Tamil language and culture, and this is reflected in their music. Tamil folk music is very different from the classical music of Tamil Nadu, which is more formal and structured. Tamil folk music is more spontaneous and is often based on the day-to-day life of the people.
The land
Situated in the southernmost part of the Indian peninsula, Tamil Nadu is bounded by the union territory of Pondicherry and by the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. It has an area of 130,058 square miles (339,217 square kilometers). The capital is Chennai (Madras), in the northeastern corner of the state.
The people
The people of Tamil Nadu are gentle, hospitable and proud. They are among the earliest peoples of southern India, and their language Tamil is one of the oldest classical languages still spoken. The state has a rich cultural heritage, and the people of Tamil Nadu have always been known for their love of music, dance and literature.
The folk music of Tamil Nadu is characterized by its relaxed, melodic quality. The songs are often about love, loss and longing, and they often make use of beautiful imagery. Many of the songs are accompanied by traditional dances, which are performed by both men and women.
One of the most popular folk dances in Tamil Nadu is the kuravai nrityam, which is performed by women. This dance is a beautiful display of grace and martial arts skills, and it is often performed at weddings and other special occasions. Men also have their own traditional dances, such as the kalam pattu nrityam, which is a energetic dance that involves complex footwork.
The folk music of Tamil Nadu has been influenced by both Hindu and Muslim traditions. Hindu devotional songs (bhajans) are very popular, as are Islamic qawwalis. However, there are also many secular songs that celebrate everyday life or tell stories from Hindu epics such as the Ramayana or Mahabharata.
No matter what the subject matter, the folk music of Tamil Nadu is always moving and soulful. It is an important part of the state’s cultural heritage, and it provides a window into the lives of its people.
The music
The history of Tamil music
The music of Tamil Nadu has a long and rich history. Tamil music is significantly influenced by Carnatic music, the classical music tradition of southern India. Carnatic music, in turn, is greatly influenced by Hindustani music, the classical music tradition of northern India. Tamil music is also influenced by other South Indian classical traditions, as well as by folk and popular traditions from all over India and beyond.
Tamil music has a long history dating back to the Sangam period (circa third century BCE to fifth century CE). The earliest Tamil poets were known as the Sangam poets, and their poetic anthologies, known as the Ettuthokai and Pattupattu, are still preserved and studied today. These poems provide valuable insights into the early history of Tamil music, which was probably Quite similar to other forms of South Indian folk music at that time.
Over the centuries, Tamil music has been shaped and influenced by many different forces. During the medieval period, for example, Muslim and Christian missionaries introduced new musical styles from the Middle East and Europe. In more recent times, Tamil artists have been increasingly exposed to popular Western genres like rock and roll and hip hop. As a result, contemporary Tamil music is a vibrant mix of traditional and modern styles
The music of the Tamil people
The music of the Tamil people is a combination of classical, folk, and popular music. Tamil music has been influenced by Indian, Carnatic, and Western music. Tamil classical music is centered around two pillars: the Greco-Roman natya shastra (theory of drama and performance), and the Tamil musical treatise silambu. The former Silk Road served as a conduit for musical influences from Persia and Arabia into India. Karnatak music was also influential in the development of Tamil Nadu’s own brand of classical music.
Folk music is still very popular in Tamil Nadu, particularly among the rural peasantry. Folk songs are typically about social issues such as love, marriage, religion, and poverty. Popular music in Tamil Nadu includes film songs, which are often based on Carnatic ragas, and devotional songs (bhajans). Tamil cinema has also played a significant role in popularizing various genres of Tamil music, such as Carvaanam Paattu (a form of filmi) and Kuthu Paatu (a type of folk dance music).
Conclusion
In conclusion, the folk music of Tamil Nadu is a beautiful and unique form of music that is definitely worth exploring. It has a rich history and tradition, and is sure to delight and entertain any music lover.
