Music of India

From ArticleWorld

Music of India, though hugely diverse and regionalized can be classified broadly as Hindustani & Carnataki with generous sprinkling of folk, religious and light music.

Classical

Demographic divisions of India- North & South broadly are precise pointers of the classical disparities in style though the underline common thread is apparent and easily decipherable. Based basically on the classical music compositions, variations are brought to the doorstep of the common folk who are invariable adept to enjoy syllables and lyrics along with lilting musical accompaniment rather than academic and critical interest.

Contemporary

Given an exposure to various western cultures, pop music and innumerable regional folk music, Indian musical canvas accommodates , fuses and presents an interestingly wide range of genres. Indian music with all its amalgamation & fusions and re-mixes has found increasing audience with adoring musical global fans. Film music with its leaning towards commercialization has cast its long imprint on the contemporary Indian music. Of late video remixes of popular songs of yesteryears have made a niche for itself. Apart from the two main categories of classical renditions Rabindra Sangeet a genre widely enjoyed in the eastern parts of peninsula India. This musical form basically Bengali in style and format is the work of Ravindranath Tagore, doyen of music in Bengal. He has more than a couple of thousand songs sung in a style influenced by Hindustani Thumri.

Folk music

• Qawwalis are generally sung led by a singer and followed by a chorus and accompanied by a team of musicians all joining in the singing. It is adapted from a Sufi-style of devotional singing.
• Bhangra is essentially a group folk dance accompanied by large drums & rhythmic beats. It is essentially a Punjabi folk and dance composition finding ever growing followings nationwide as well as abroad.
• Lavani is a popular folk song invariably accompanied by a dance known as Tamasha. The danseuse enacts with finesse the lyrics sung in Lavani. It is a localized Maharashtrian number.

• Dandiya is more of a religious obeisance paid to goddess Durga and is an annual feature lasting nine nights. Modern musical accompaniments have found their way into Dandiya with the result that modern youth look forward to lilting tunes and throbbing beats . Dandiya finds its origin in Rajasthan & Gujarat.