Music is life itself

Music, art concerned with combining vocal or instrumental sounds for beauty of

form or emotional expression, usually according to cultural standards

of rhythm, melody, and, in most Western music, harmony. 

Music is a vital part of different moments of human life. It spreads happiness and joy in

a person’s life. Music is the soul of life and gives immense peace to us. In the words

of William Shakespeare, “If music is the food of love, play on, Give me excess of it; that

surfeiting, The appetite may sicken, and so die.” Thus, Music helps us in connecting with

our souls or real self.

Types of Indian Music

Indian music is divided into three main categories:

1. Indian classical music

2. Folk music

3. Modern music

1.Indian Classical Music:

Indian classical music is a solitary pursuit that focuses mainly on melodic

development. In performance, rhythm also plays an important role, giving texture,

sensuality, and a sense of purpose to melody. 

Types of Classical Music:

1. Carnatic Music

Carnatic music originates from South India during the Vijayanagar Empire and can

be traced back to as early as the 14 century.

Due to its southern origin, the music shows much less Persian and Asian influence

and more Hindu origins than Hindustani music despite being fairly close.

Carnatic music is also one of the major characters of film music throughout the last

century.

2. Hindustani Music

The Hindustani music is considered the music of the north. The music originated in

the Vedic era with ancient religious hymns sung, usually by the one playing the

music.

3. Light Classical Music

Under the category of Indian classical music, there is also a wide variety of styles that

are fairly similar but milder.

These are known as “semi-classical” Indian music or “light classical” music, such as

Chaiti, Natya Sangeet, Bhajan, Qawwali, Thumri, Kajri, Tappa, Dadra, and Ghazal.

2.Indian Folk Music

Folk music, type of traditional and generally rural music that originally was passed

down through families and other small social groups. Typically, folk music, like folk

literature, lives in oral tradition; it is learned through hearing rather than reading. It

is functional in the sense that it is associated with other activities, and it is primarily

rural in origin.

Types of Folk Music:

1. Lavani

Lavani is one of the music forms that are very popular in Maharashtra state in

western India. Lavani is mainly a combination of dance and songs that are performed

using Dholakis, which is an Indian percussion instrument.

2. Manipuri

Manipuri music descends from the traditions of Manipuri people in the foothills of

the Himalayas and Indian-Burmian borders region. Manipuri music has deep

religious roots and uses the Pena.

The Pena is an ancient musical instrument that is considered a national symbol of

the people of Manipur. It’s made from bamboo rods and the round shell of coconuts

or gourds.

3. Bihu

Bihu refers to the festival of the new year of the Assam state in India. The festival is

accompanied by special upbeat music that uses traditional types of wind

instruments and drums that are a critical part of the celebrations, such as the buffalo

horn Pepa, dhol drums, and gogonas.

4. Sufi Folk Rock

Sufi folk-rock is a relatively modern type of music in India but is slowly becoming a

massive sensation across the country. It combines both elements of traditional

devotional Sufi poetry and rhymes with modern hard rock music.

5. Dandiya music

It is a type of music generally performed in the state of Gujarat.

The modern musical style comes from the traditional musical accompaniment to the

folk dance.

3.Modern music

Indian rock is a genre of popular music that incorporates elements of Indian classical

music and mainstream rock. India itself continued to produce bands in various styles

of rock music, from soft rock and roll and rock pop, to hard rock and metal.

Some Famous Rock Bands are:

1. Avial

From Thiruvanathapuram, Kerala, Avial entered the scene in 2003. Avial classifies

its music as alternative rock with elements of jazz and funk.

2. Agnee

One of the few Indian bands to sign a deal with a major international record

label, Agnee brings together the individual styles of its three members – classic rock,

pop, folk rock, funk, jazz and Carnatic and Hindustani music. 

3. Indian Ocean

Indian Ocean originally sprang from a musical friendship. Together, they worked

towards forging a sound reflective of their interest in eastern and western music,

producing Indian folk, jazz and rock.

4.Krosswindz

Krosswindz came together in 1990 in Kolkatta, West Bengal, as a folk rock band,

known for their fusion of Bangla, Assamese and other folk songs.

By Sukanya Solase