Paper IX

Module II : Oral traditions of communication in India

C) Folk Songs

Nirali Patel
 Background

• The history of Indian music can be broken down into three main
periods: Ancient, Medieval and Modern.

• Ibn Battuta’s description in his account on India shows how important

the place of musicians was in the courts.

• Emergence of two branches : Hindustani and Carnatic music – the

two terms first time used by Harpiala in his “Sangeeta Sudharak”,
written in the 14th century CE.
Historical figures and their role in the development
of Indian music

Amir Khusrau Tansen

Folk Songs
 Folk Song

A folk song is a song which is traditionally sung by the common people

of a region and is part of their culture.

CHARACTERISTICS

4. Performed
1. Transmitted according to
via an oral custom.
tradition.
2. Linked to 3. Commemorate
national culture. historic and personal events.
 Characteristics of Folk Songs

• No hard and fast rules.

• Variety of themes.

• Dance-oriented.

• Lives on traditions and cultures.

 Features Of Folk Songs

• The oral storytelling tradition.

• Survival

• Unique to specific regions.

• Repetition.

• Valuable lyrics.
 Themes

• Harvesting songs

• caste songs

• region songs

• children's songs

• songs of god and Goddesses

• local songs
 Folk song Asssociated with States

1. Baul Sangeet
Koli geet, Gondhal – Maharashtra
Pandavani, Chhattisgarh

Teejanbai, folk artist

Folk songs of Rajasthan
• Gorband and Ghoomar – regional

• Parnet and Bana – Bani – Wedding

• Pankhida

• Lotia

• Teej songs
Powada, Maharashtra
Bihu Geet, Assam
 Alha, Uttar Pradesh

• Narration of Alha and Udal.

• Other popular folk songs – Sohar,

Rasiya Geet, Hori.
Villu Pattu, Tamil Nadu
Saikuti Zai, Mizoram
Bhaka, Jammu and Kashmir
 Woman as Portrayed in Women’s Folk song

1. Songs related to female deities.

2. Ceremonial songs related to birth and wedding ceremonies.

3. Seasonal and festive songs.

4. Songs connected with chores.

Thank You