Folk Music of India
Music played an essential role in India’s rich cultural diversity as well as in the lives
of ordinary people. Although with the rise of modern genres like rock and pop, the
popularity of folk music has decreased, it holds its different place in people’s hearts,
and no traditional festival is complete without folk music.
“Without music, life would be a mistake - Friedrich Nietzsche.”
History
Folk Music is primarily derived from people’s lives, beliefs, traditions, and
experiences. Oldest Folk-lores date back to even the Vedic Period, and some argue
that the Folk Music of India could be as old as the country itself. For example,
Pandavani, popular folk music, is probably as ancient as the great epic Mahabharata
as it contains stories of the character Bhima from Mahabharata.
Folk Music has been used to pass on helpful information and essential teachings
from one generation to another in the form of stories. But later on, they were used as
a recreational medium in events such as festivals, weddings, etc. Also, we can
assume that folk songs played an essential role in the pre-paper era in India to pass
on helpful information needed in daily life across generations through oral means.
Some Folk Music has also been turned into ragas like raga manda.
Popular Indian Folk Musics from different states
Alha - Madhya Pradesh
Heroic Ballad song of Madhya Pradesh and is also kind of related to the epic
Mahabharata since it attempts to glorify the reincarnations of the Pandavas.
The Pandavas are called out in the song as Alha, Udal, Malkhan, Lakhan, and Deva.
Pai - Madhya Pradesh
These Folk Songs also mainly originated from Madhya Pradesh and are sung
especially at monsoon festivals by farmers to wish for a good monsoon and harvest.
Saira's dance form is typically performed in this type of Folk Music.
Ovi - Maharashtra & Goa
This music is mainly sung by women while doing household work or in their free
time. They are primarily poems consisting of a few lines of poetry and are also used
for child lullabies, pregnancy, or weddings.
Lavani - Maharashtra
This type of Folk Music is well known in Maharashtra as a folk dance form and as
well as music performed on the beats of Dholki, a musical instrument. It’s different
from the other types of Folk Music since people can dance to its well-suited rhythm
and have leisure time.
Powada - Maharashtra
This type of Folk Music has also emerged in Maharashtra. It is primarily ballads sung
in honor of historical heroes, often recalling great things they did or events that took
place under their influence.
Mando - Goa
This type of Folk Music shares traits of western musical traditions along with the
Indian ones. Instruments that are used include Guitars, Violins, Ghumot drums, etc.
Baul geet - West Bengal
Baul or Baul sangeet is a type of Folk Song which originated in Bengal. Kartik Das
Baul and Naboni Das are some prominent names who embodied this type of Folk
Music.
Rabindra Saneet - West Bengal
This type of Folk Music consists of songs of the great poet Rabindranath Tagore
which has now become part of people’s culture. These songs are primarily about
introspection, daily life, romance, yearning, etc.
Pandavani
This is mainly based on the story of the hero, Bhima, from the great epic
Mahabharata. Teejan Bai from the state of Chhattisgarh is one of the most well-
known artists, and she also received the Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan for
her works in this field of Folk Music.
Maand - Rajasthan
Originating from Rajasthan, this type of Folk Music is said to have evolved in royal
courts, and the songs are mainly about the Rajput rulers’ glory and are similar to
Ghazal or Thumri. The famous song “Kesariya Balam” is written in the Maand
style.
Bhavageete - Karnataka, and Maharashtra
This type of Folk Song is similar to ghazals, but these are performed at a lower pitch
and are primarily about love, nature, and philosophy.
Panihari - Rajasthan
This type of Folk Music is from Rajasthan, and the theme is based on water. For
instance, women fetching water from a nearby well and then carrying it above their
heads back to their houses. This type of Folk Song mainly deals with topics like
water scarcity and other problems related to bringing water to their homes for daily
use. Sometimes these Folk Songs also discuss the relationship between mother-inlaw and daughter-in-law, and sometimes, they also focus on romantic relationships
between lovers.
Dandiya - Gujarat
Raas, also called Dandiya Raas, is a form of traditional Folk Dance from Gujarat and
is correlated with Holi and Lila of Krishna and Radha in Vrindavan. Among the
several types of Rass, Dandiya is the most popular and is performed on the night of
Navaratri. Men and Women dance is a circular dance with sticks in their hands in
Dandiya. Some people also consider Garba as a form of Raas.
Kolattam or Kolannalu - Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu
It resembles Dandiya and involves rhythmic movements along with dance and
music.
Nattupura Pattu - Tamil Nadu
It is one of the oldest folk music originating from Tamil Nadu and is sung at the time
of the harvesting season. Instruments used include Shenai, a traditional drum.
Bihugeet - Assam
This type of Folk Song is sung during the time of the Bohag Bihu festival, one of the
three prominent festivals of Assam. It includes topics like nature, relationships, social
messages, and love.
Khongjom Parva - Manipur
This type of Folk Music is a popular ballad genre that narrates the battle of
Khongjom (1891), which took place between the British army and the Manipur
Resistance Force.
Wanawan - Jammu & Kashmir
This is traditional Kashmiri Folk Music. It is mainly sung at their weddings as it is
considered auspicious. Besides this, Chakri is also one of the most popular types of
Folk Music played in Jammu and Kashmir.