Groove to Punjabi Beats!

Punjabi music has taken over the world by storm. But not many know that its roots lie in the rich musical culture of the state that has been passed down over generations. Here is a visit to the varied genres of Punjabi folk music.

Punjabi Folk Performance; Image Source: Sher-e-Punjab Radio

The state of Punjab has always been recognised for its particularly brilliant traditions that incorporate a plethora of song and dance into the folk culture. But the music part of this unique culture has much more to it than meets the eye at once. The folk songs of this state encapsulate just about every stage of the life of an individual.

Each of these genres varies in mood and tone. These are prescribed to be sung only on particular occasions and fit as the perfect background score to the environment. The length of each kind of song also varies. Traditional Punjabi musical instruments such as dhol, chimta and sarangi accompany deep, meaningful lyrics to give birth to a rich tune.

These songs originated out of the various aspects that the culture considers instrumental in a human's lifetime. The people of Punjab have birthed these songs in their own words, representing what matters most to them. In fact, these enrapturing compositions are a representation of the evolution of the state and its people.

Punjabi culture also has a long list of tragic love stories that depict young love in beautiful yet saddening ways. And most of these stories have songs to accompany the tale. Be it the pair of Heer and Ranjha, or the star-crossed Sohni and Mahewal, each of these tales of incomplete love are told with songs whose lyrics narrate the unfortunate tales of these people. Jugni, mahia, dohre, bolian, tappe and jindua are just some genres among the vast library of romantic Punjabi folk songs.

Weddings are just as important in the list of events that resonate with these songs. From Suhag songs that are sung to bless the to-be-bride with a great married life and educate her about what to expect from her in-laws to Boliyan that provide some light-heartedness to the occasion, and then moving on to Chhand that is sung post the actual wedding- these events are rife with various kinds of traditional songs. While some of these songs are overwhelmingly sad to depict the mood of the daughter of the household leaving to start a new life, others are cheeky and witty in their words.

The beats of bhangra are easy to come across in any part of the world. Traditionally, these are limited to fairs and festivals held on the land. The thumping beats and energetic mood depict the immense joy of the people who are a part of the event. The harvest festival of Baisakhi is one of the most notable ones among these.

Several of these songs are also dedicated towards the purpose of worship. This devotion can be towards religious figures or elements of nature. Various kinds of natural resources have been incorporated into the lines of these songs to paint a vivid picture of the scenic views of the geography of Punjab.

The folk music of the state has always been more on the simplistic side of things. Lyrics hold much more value than the music accompanying it. These carefully worded phrases tell the tales of the state, its culture, its geography, its legacy and heritage, and most importantly- its people. Love, tragedy, bravery, beauty, birth and death are all extremely important subjects.

Sadly, the legacy of these songs is being dominated by a modern amalgamation that reeks of Westernization. The older generations remain the main custodians of these rituals. So the next time you get the opportunity to attend a Punjabi event, be sure to find the elders and ask them about the rich legacy of folk music in the state. If you're lucky, you might even get to hear some of them live!