Top 10 Genres in the Indian Music Industry

The uniqueness of every music genre in India brings us together. We all know the unique style of Indian Music, which has billions of fans worldwide, both inside and outside India. But did you know that the influence of Indian Music on Western Music is as old as the Beatles? Today's article briefly introduces the types of Indian Music that vary by era, genre, and region. So, let's dive in without any further effort!

Indian Classical Music

Carnatic Music

Carnatic music is a traditional music style from South India that became popular during the Vijayanagara Empire in the 14th century. It has strong roots in Hindu traditions and differs from other musical styles because it's more influenced by South Indian culture than Persian or Asiatic music. Music composition in Carnatic music often involves intricate ragas and talas, creating a distinctive sound that reflects the region’s cultural heritage. Carnatic Music is not just for classical music lovers; it has also influenced film music. If you love music and want to learn more about South Indian culture, you can explore Telugu, Malayalam, or Tamil karaoke songs. Singing these songs can give you a taste of the rich traditions and practices of the region, making your learning and singing experience more enjoyable and meaningful.

Hindustani Music

Hindustani Music is considered northern music because It began in the Vedic period when musicians usually sang ancient religious hymns. Under the influence of Persia, it belonged to Carnatic Music until it appeared as another type in the 14th century. As a result, Hindustani music has a strong presence in Bollywood, which is familiar to the Western world. In the last decade, traces of Hindustani music can be seen in A. R. Rahman's music.

Light Classical Music

The Indian classical music category also includes a variety of very similar but mild styles. These are known as "semi-classical" Indian or "light-classical" Music, such as chaiti, natya sangeet, Bhajan, Qawwali, Thumri, Kajari, Tappa, dadra, and Ghazal.

Indian Folk Music

Lavani

Lavani is one of the most famous music formats in Maharashtra, West Indies. It combines dance and song performed on the Indian percussion instrument Dholakia. This music offers the best danceability. Its fast tempo and robust rhythm significantly influenced Marathi folk theatre. Anyone can play music, but women are likelier to play it if they wear a long sari.

Bhangra and Modern Bhangra

Bhangra is a piece of folk music closely related to the Punjab region and is still practiced in the Punjab community in India, Europe, and North America. The music genre began in British Punjabi in the late 1970s and pervaded Indian culture. Gidda is a popular Punjabi female dance usually practiced in Bhangra music. With the rise of pop music and the latest recording tools, in the years that followed, this genre saw developments that brought about "modern Bhangra." Remember that Punjabi Bhangra and modern Bhangra differ slightly from Punjabi folk music. For example, the typical song structure of modern Bhangra usually consists of a single chorus with four stanzas and two instrument bridge sections. On the other hand, it has much simpler Punjabi folk music and can contain only one or two stanzas throughout the song. Modern examples and traces of modern Punjabi music can be seen in Sidhu Moose Wala's music.

Sufi Folk Rock

Sufi Folk-Rock is a relatively modern style of Music in India, but it is gradually creating an immense sensation nationwide. This is because it combines traditional, devoted Sufi poetry and rhyme elements with modern, complex rock music. Sufi Rock became a big hit in 2005 when Indian musicians broke the charts with their first Sufi folk-rock song. Many Bollywood followed these hits that solidified the genre in neo-Indian culture.

Types of Indian Classical Music

Bengali Folk

Tagore or Rabindranath Tagore's song is written and composed by the popular Nobel Prize-winning Rabindranath Tagore in Polymers, India. He wrote more than 2,200 songs in Bengali, and they are now used as inspiration for traditional folk songs nationwide. This Music has Bengali features that are very popular in India and Bangladesh.

Bollywood Pop

Indians are known to embrace their culture, but pop music is becoming the country's most popular genre thanks to Bollywood movies. Bollywood movies adapt Indian pop music, combining modern beats from around the world with a mixture of Indian classical and folk music. Knowing song structure is essential in creating Bollywood pop songs that blend both traditional and modern elements seamlessly.

Indian Dance Music

Indians, especially young people, are big fans of electronic dance music (EDM). Indians call it "DJ Music," based on famous Indian movies and popular music songs. Indian dance music often combines classical and folk Indian music elements with Western EDM to create something unique.

Indie Pop

The rise in Indie/Independent artists and their listeners in the past couple of years has been jaw-dropping. The surge of modern indie music among teenagers has been evident. Famous indie artists like Prateek Kuhad and Anuv Jain top the charts in the indie-pop genre.

Characteristics of Indian Music

Indian music, one of the oldest musical traditions in the world, is a rich and diverse art form rooted in the subcontinent's cultural, spiritual, and social fabric. Its complexity and emotional depth characterize it, and its reliance on improvisation makes it both profoundly traditional and endlessly innovative. Below are the key characteristics that define Indian music:

Emphasis on Melody (Raga System)

At the heart of Indian music lies the concept of raga, a melodic framework that serves as the foundation for composition and improvisation. A raga is not just a scale but a set of rules and emotions tied to specific times of the day, seasons, and moods.

Raga as a Mood Creator: Each raga evokes a unique feeling, such as joy, sorrow, or devotion. For example, Raga Yaman is associated with serenity, while Raga Bhairavi exudes pathos.

Infinite Possibilities: With hundreds of ragas, Indian music allows for endless creativity, as no two performances of the same raga are identical.

Rhythm and Tala

Rhythm in Indian music is structured through the tala system, a framework of cyclical time patterns that provide the underlying structure for a musical piece. Tala is dynamic and intricate, unlike the rigid time signatures in Western music.

Complex Rhythmic Cycles: Common talas like Teentaal (16 beats) or Ektaal (12 beats) have intricate divisions that create captivating rhythms.

Role of Percussion Instruments: Instruments like the tabla and mridangam are central to rhythm. They can produce nuanced beats that enhance melodic performance.

Importance of Improvisation

Indian music thrives on improvisation, making each performance a unique experience. Musicians often creatively explore the raga and tala, pushing expression boundaries.

Alap and Jugalbandi: Performances often begin with an alap, a slow, improvised exploration of the raga. In duets or jugalbandi, improvisation takes the form of playful interaction between two artists.

Spontaneity as an Art Form: Improvisation allows artists to showcase their mastery and connect deeply with their audience.

Spiritual Connection

Indian music has strong ties to spirituality. It is often seen as a medium for connecting with the divine. Both classical and devotional music aim at the material world.

Bhakti and Sufi Traditions: Genres like bhajans and qawwalis are deeply spiritual, expressing devotion and longing for the divine.

Meditative Qualities: Ragas' repetitive patterns and gradual development create a meditative experience for performers and listeners.

Use of Unique Instruments

Indian music employs various instruments, each with a distinct sound and cultural significance.

String Instruments: The sitar, sarod, and veena produce intricate melodies and are central to classical music.

Wind Instruments: The bansuri (flute) and shehnai add a soulful touch to many compositions.

Percussion: The tabla, dhol, and mridangam create rhythmic depth, while the ghatam and kanjira add regional flavors.

Connection to Nature

Indian music often mirrors natural elements, with certain ragas representing seasons, times of day, or specific emotions inspired by the natural world.

Seasonal Ragas: Raga Megh Malhar is associated with the monsoon, while Raga Basant symbolizes spring.

Time-Specific Music: Many ragas are performed during particular times of the day, such as Raga Darbari Kanada at night, enhancing their emotional impact.

Vocal-Centric Tradition

Indian music places significant emphasis on vocal performance, with the human voice considered the purest instrument.

Classical Singing Styles: Forms like khayal, dhrupad, and thumri showcase the versatility of Indian vocal traditions.

Lyric-Based Genres: Regional folk and film music often prioritize meaningful lyrics that tell stories or evoke strong emotions.

Regional and Folk Diversity

Indian music is not limited to classical traditions. Regional and folk music adds another layer of richness, reflecting India's diverse cultures.

Folk Music Traditions: Styles like Bihu from Assam, Baul songs from Bengal, and Lavani from Maharashtra celebrate the lives, struggles, and joys of local communities.

Bollywood Influence: The Indian film industry has popularized music across regions, creating a fusion of classical, folk, and modern sounds.

Fusion of Tradition and Modernity

Indian music has evolved by incorporating global influences while staying true to its roots. The fusion of Indian and Western genres, such as Indian rock, electronic music, and jazz, has created new avenues for experimentation.

Emotional and Storytelling Depth

Indian music is deeply emotional and often serves as a storytelling medium. From classical ragas expressing complex emotions to Bollywood songs narrating stories of love, loss, and triumph, the emotional resonance of Indian music remains unparalleled.

Cultural and Technological Influences on Indian Music

The Indian music industry contributes to the country’s cultural diversity and adaptability. Over the years, it has been shaped by an intricate interplay of regional influences, global innovations, and technological advancements. These factors have not only enriched the depth of Indian music but also broadened its reach to global audiences. Below, we delve deeper into the pivotal cultural and technological elements that define the modern landscape of Indian music.

Regional Influence and Linguistic Diversity

India’s vast linguistic and regional diversity is a cornerstone of its musical variety. Each state, with its distinct language, culture, and traditions, contributes unique musical styles, rhythms, and instruments to the industry.

Punjabi Beats to Global Dance Floors: Punjabi music, characterized by its upbeat rhythms and instruments like the dhol and tumbi, has borders. Songs like Kala Chashma and Lamborghini have found fans across continents.

Tamil and Telugu Cinematic Music: South Indian cinema, mainly the Tamil and Telugu industries, has seen a surge in popularity. Composers like Ilaiyaraaja and Anirudh Ravichander blend folk traditions with modern orchestration. Tracks from movies like RRR have demonstrated the global appeal of regional music.

Bengali Rabindra Sangeet and Baul Traditions: The poetic elegance of Rabindra Sangeet and the soulful simplicity of Baul's music showcase Bengal's artistic richness. These styles continue to inspire contemporary and experimental artists.

This linguistic mosaic has preserved India’s cultural heritage and allowed regional music to evolve into mainstream sensations, gaining international acclaim through collaborations and digital platforms.

Fusion and Innovation

Fusion music seamlessly blends traditional Indian elements with global genres like jazz, rock, and electronic music. This genre has given Indian music a fresh identity on the global stage, pushing creative boundaries and redefining musical norms.

A.R. Rahman’s Global Legacy: The maestro A.R. Rahman has masterfully fused Indian classical ragas with Western symphonies, creating iconic compositions like Jai Ho that resonate worldwide. His collaborations with international artists such as Coldplay and Mick Jagger have showcased India’s musical depth to global audiences.

Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy’s Experimentation: The trio’s works, such as the Dil Chahta Hai soundtrack, reflect their ability to blend rock, jazz, and Indian folk seamlessly, making fusion music accessible to diverse audiences.

Emerging Fusion Artists: Bands like The Raghu Dixit Project and Indian Ocean have popularized folk-fusion music, crafting a unique niche that combines earthy Indian sounds with contemporary global styles.

Fusion bridges India’s musical roots with global innovation, proving that tradition and modernity coexist harmoniously.

The Role of Women in Indian Music

Women have been integral to the evolution of Indian music, breaking stereotypes and paving the way for inclusivity and excellence. While icons like Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle set the gold standard for playback singing, the role of women in Indian music has expanded beyond performance into composition, production, and direction.

Icons Who Redefined Music: Lata Mangeshkar’s angelic voice and Asha Bhosle’s versatility have immortalized them as the Queens of Playback Singing. Their songs continue to inspire generations.

Modern Trailblazers: Singers like Shreya Ghoshal and Sunidhi Chauhan have redefined female vocals with powerful, emotive, and versatile singing styles, achieving immense success in Bollywood and beyond.

Women Behind the Scenes: Female composers like Sneha Khanwalkar (Gangs of Wasseypur) and producers like Anushka Manchanda bring a fresh perspective to Indian music, breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

Women play increasingly diverse roles as the industry evolves, from leading collaborations to creating innovative music. They are proving their indispensable contribution to India's musical tapestry.

Digital Platforms and the Rise of Independent Music

Digital platforms have revolutionized the Indian music industry, offering unprecedented opportunities for artists to reach audiences directly and bypass traditional gatekeepers like record labels. Platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and Gaana have democratized music creation and consumption.

YouTube and Viral Hits: Independent artists like Sanam, Prateek Kuhad, and Armaan Malik have used platforms like YouTube to release original compositions and connect with millions of fans globally. Viral trends like remixes and mashups thrive on these platforms, boosting artists' visibility.

Spotify’s Personalized Reach: Streaming services like Spotify curate playlists and suggest music tailored to user preferences, allowing regional and independent artists to shine alongside mainstream names.

Online Collaborations and Crowdfunding: Tools like Patreon and SoundCloud enable artists to collaborate globally and fund their projects, fostering creativity and independence.

Independent Labels on the Rise: The rise of indie labels like Azadi Records and OK Listen! has created a parallel music ecosystem, supporting niche genres such as Indian hip-hop and experimental fusion.

The digital revolution has dismantled barriers, providing a level playing field for emerging artists while allowing fans to discover a world of music that caters to their diverse tastes.

Conclusion:

Diversity brings us together in art, culture, food, and music! The music taste of Indian listeners has grown more diverse over time. The music industry is one of the biggest industries in India. If you are an independent artist and require assistance with the music production process, Carry A Tune has got you covered. We offer an exquisite range of services, from online music production to appointing a music arranger. Contact us now for further details, and keep creating incredible music!