Let’s set the record straight. Indian music is more than just Bollywood. Of course, Bollywood music, as it is known, widely draws from a plethora of Indian music forms – both classical and folk – making it an eclectic mix of various musical styles. Here are five traditional music forms in India that will give you a deeper insight into Indian music as a whole.

Carnatic

Considered a divine music form with references in Hindu mythology and the sacred texts of the Vedas, Carnatic music relies on the four pillars of sruti (pitch), swara (notes), raga (melody) and tala (rhythm). The focus of Carnatic music is mostly on vocal singing with an ensemble of musical instruments such as the mridangam (percussion), violin and tanpura, a stringed instrument to support melody and pitch alignment. The compositions are devotional in nature and are usually about incidents from the Indian epics such as Ramayana, Mahabharata. Believed to emerge from the southern part of the country – Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh – Carnatic music flourished under the patronage of the kings who ruled the south since the 16th century, with a number of scholars and composers who drew from religious texts to compose their own signature style songs which are performed by musicians even now.

Hindustani

Another subgenre of Indian classical music, Hindustani music, like Carnatic music, has its roots in the ancient Vedic chants, and is popular in north India, parts of present-day Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Nepal. With traces of Persian influences and folk music, Hindustani music grew under the patronage of several princely courts and Mughal emperors around the 16th century. There are several traditions and styles of Hindustani music, such as Dhrupad, Khyal, Tarana, Thumri, to name a few. The instruments used in Hindustani music include shehnai (a wind instrument), santoor (a stringed instrument), tabla (percussion), flute, and so on.

Rajasthani folk music by the Manganiars

The Manganiars, a Muslim community in the deserts of Rajasthan, have music in their blood. Their nomadic classical folk music draws heavily from local folklore, the landscape, Hindu deities, history and the songs are passed on from one generation to the next through oral tradition. There is no written documented composition, but the music has stood the test of time. Today, the Manganiars perform across music festivals in India and Europe and there is a growing interest in their music. Dressed in colourful turbans, they use instruments such as Dholak (percussion) and Kamaicha (a stringed instrument made of mango wood).

Baul

Baul is a religious-folk music tradition practiced by the Bauls of West Bengal primarily. The Bauls are a religious sect who identify with both Hindu and Islam mysticism and they sing in a distinctive uninhibited style about love, divinity, mysticism and other things. The songs are simple and powerful and the instrument used most commonly is the ektara, a single-stringed pluck drum made of bamboo and goatskin. Parvathy Baul is one of the most popular Baul musicians from India and she has performed to packed venues across the globe.

Lavani

This is the traditional folk music of Maharashtra and is usually performed by women. Known for its rhythm and energy, these songs are accompanied by a folk dance performed by both men and women. Lavani songs are mostly satirical commentaries on society, love, religion and politics, set to tune in a fast-paced rhythm. Women Lavani singers wear a traditional nine-yard saree and lots of jewellery. Lavani, meaning beauty, is an inseparable part of Marathi culture and it has been widely propagated by Marathi theatre and regional cinema.

If these musical styles intrigue you, we suggest you stack your Satara Hi-Fi Unit with CDs and DVDs of Indian music performances.