Indian folk musicIndian folk music is diverse because of India's vast cultural is diverse because of India's vast cultural diversity. It has many forms including diversity. It has many forms including bhangra, , lavani, , dandiya

and Rajasthani. Folk music has been influential on classical music, and Rajasthani. Folk music has been influential on classical music, which is viewed as a higher art form. Instruments and styles have which is viewed as a higher art form. Instruments and styles have

impacted classical ragas. It is also not uncommon for major impacted classical ragas. It is also not uncommon for major writers, saints and poets to have large musical libraries and writers, saints and poets to have large musical libraries and

traditions to their name, often sung in traditions to their name, often sung in thumri (semi-classical) (semi-classical) style. Most of the folk music of India is dance-oriented.style. Most of the folk music of India is dance-oriented.

Indian folk musicIndian folk music

Types of dance-oriented folk music Types of dance-oriented folk music BhangraBhangra LavaniLavani DandiyaDandiya RajasthaniRajasthani

BhangraBhangra

Bhangra is a form of is a form of dance-oriented -oriented folk music that has that has become a become a pop sensation in the sensation in the United Kingdom. The present . The present

musical style is derived from the traditional musical musical style is derived from the traditional musical accompaniment to the folk dance of accompaniment to the folk dance of Punjab called by the called by the

same name, same name, bhangrabhangra..

Instruments used:Instruments used: Many different Punjabi instruments contribute to the sound of Many different Punjabi instruments contribute to the sound of

Bhangra. Although the most important instrument is the Bhangra. Although the most important instrument is the dhol drum, Bhangra also features a variety of string and other drum drum, Bhangra also features a variety of string and other drum instruments. Bhangra began as a folk dance conducted by instruments. Bhangra began as a folk dance conducted by farmers to celebrate the coming of Spring, or to celebrate the coming of Spring, or Vaisakhi. Today, . Today, bhangra survives in different forms and styles all over the bhangra survives in different forms and styles all over the globe – including pop music, film globe – including pop music, film soundtracks, and even , and even collegiate competitions. competitions.

The string instruments include the The string instruments include the tumbi, , sarangi, , sapera, , supp, and , and chimta. The . The dhad, , dafli, , dholki, and , and damru are the other are the other drums.drums.

LavaniLavani

Lavani is a popular folk form of is a popular folk form of Maharashtra. . Traditionally, the songs are sung by female artists, Traditionally, the songs are sung by female artists,

but male artists may occasionally sing but male artists may occasionally sing Lavanis. . The dance format associated with The dance format associated with Lavani is known is known

as as Tamasha..

Instruments used:Instruments used: Several celebrated Marathi Shahir poet-singers, Several celebrated Marathi Shahir poet-singers,

which include Ram Joshi Anant Fandi, Honaji Bala , which include Ram Joshi Anant Fandi, Honaji Bala , Prabhakar and Lok Shahir Honaji Bala introduced Prabhakar and Lok Shahir Honaji Bala introduced tablatabla in place of the traditional in place of the traditional dholkidholki. He also . He also developed the developed the baithakichi Lavanibaithakichi Lavani, a sub-genre, which , a sub-genre, which is presented by the singer in the seated position.is presented by the singer in the seated position.

The dhol is used as well as complementary The dhol is used as well as complementary percussion instruments such as dholak, tabla and percussion instruments such as dholak, tabla and others.others.

DandiyaDandiyaDandiya is a form of dance-oriented folk music that has also is a form of dance-oriented folk music that has also been adapted for pop music worldwide. The present musical been adapted for pop music worldwide. The present musical style is derived from the traditional musical accompaniment style is derived from the traditional musical accompaniment

to the folk dance of to the folk dance of Dandiya called by the same name, called by the same name, dandiya.dandiya.

Instruments used:Instruments used: Originating as devotional Originating as devotional Garba dances, which were always dances, which were always

performed in Durga's honour, this dance form is actually the performed in Durga's honour, this dance form is actually the staging of a mock-fight between the Goddess and staging of a mock-fight between the Goddess and Mahishasura, the mighty demon-king, and is nicknamed "The Sword , the mighty demon-king, and is nicknamed "The Sword Dance". During the dance, dancers energetically whirl and Dance". During the dance, dancers energetically whirl and move their feet and arms in a complicated, move their feet and arms in a complicated, choreographed manner to the tune of the music with various rhythms. The manner to the tune of the music with various rhythms. The dhol is used as well as complementary percussion instruments is used as well as complementary percussion instruments such as the dholak, tabla and others.such as the dholak, tabla and others.

The The sticks ( (dandiyadandiyas) of the dance represent the s) of the dance represent the sword of of Durga.Durga.

RajasthaniRajasthani

The age old traditional heritage of Rajasthan has enriched its The age old traditional heritage of Rajasthan has enriched its music and dance immensely. Be it the melody of folk music music and dance immensely. Be it the melody of folk music or the beat of tribal percussion, Rajasthan amazes its tourists or the beat of tribal percussion, Rajasthan amazes its tourists with. with. Rajasthani music has a diverse collection of musician has a diverse collection of musician castes, including langas, sapera, bhopa, jogi and , including langas, sapera, bhopa, jogi and manganiyar

bejewelled treasure of music and dance bejewelled treasure of music and dance

Instruments used:Instruments used: Rajasthan is culturally rich and has artistic and cultural traditions which Rajasthan is culturally rich and has artistic and cultural traditions which

reflect the ancient Indian way of life. There is rich and varied reflect the ancient Indian way of life. There is rich and varied folk culture from villages which is often depicted symbolic of the state. Highly from villages which is often depicted symbolic of the state. Highly cultivated classical music and dance with its own distinct style is part of cultivated classical music and dance with its own distinct style is part of the cultural tradition of Rajasthan. The music is uncomplicated and songs the cultural tradition of Rajasthan. The music is uncomplicated and songs depict day-to-day relationships and chores, more often focused around depict day-to-day relationships and chores, more often focused around fetching water from wells or ponds.fetching water from wells or ponds.

The The Ghoomar dance from Udaipur and dance from Udaipur and Kalbeliya dance of dance of Jaisalmer have have gained international recognition. Folk music is a vital part of Rajasthani gained international recognition. Folk music is a vital part of Rajasthani culture. Kathputali, culture. Kathputali, Bhopa, Chang, Teratali, Ghindar, Kachchhighori, , Chang, Teratali, Ghindar, Kachchhighori, Tejaji etc. are the examples of the traditional Rajasthani culture. Folk songs Tejaji etc. are the examples of the traditional Rajasthani culture. Folk songs are commonly ballads which relate heroic deeds and love stories; and are commonly ballads which relate heroic deeds and love stories; and religious or devotional songs known as bhajans and banis (often religious or devotional songs known as bhajans and banis (often accompanied by musical instruments like dholak, sitar, sarangi etc.) are accompanied by musical instruments like dholak, sitar, sarangi etc.) are also sung.also sung.

 INDIA IS NOT JUST A PLACE.

India is not just a people. India is the celestial music,

And inside that music  Anybody from any corner of the globe  

Can find the real significance of life. - Sri Chinmoy