Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence, occurring in time. Common elements of music are pitch (which governs melody and harmony), rhythm (and its associated concepts tempo, metre, and articulation), dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture. The creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of music vary according to culture and social context. Music ranges from strictly organized compositions (and their reproduction in performance) through improvisational music to aleatoric pieces. Music can be divided into genres and subgenres, although the dividing lines and relationships between music genres are often subtle, sometimes open to individual interpretation, and occasionally controversial. Within “the arts,” music may be classified as a performing art, a fine art, and auditory art.
Haryana is rich in folk music, whose roots are firmly entrenched in the classical music of yore. The ‘Sringar Rasa’ (based on love songs) has an indirect association with renowned ragas like Bhairavi, Jayjaywanti, ‘Gara’ (a Persian style), ‘Khamaj’ and ‘Kafi’. However, the folk singer has no idea what a raga is and just goes out and sings.
MusicFolk music of Haryana is broadly divided into two categories namely the classical form and country side music. The classical form of singing is basically on songs of mythology – ‘Allah’, ‘Jaimal’ – ‘Phatta’, ‘Barahmas’, ‘Teej’ songs, ‘Phag’ and ‘Holi’ songs. The country side music includes legendary tales such as Purana – ‘Bhagata’ in ‘Rag Maand’, ceremonial songs, seasonal songs, ballads etc.
Musical Themes
Folk Songs depict the life of the people in hue and colours, with joys and sorrows and fit into all occasions portraying life. Whether it is meeting or separation, birth, marriage, romantic months of ‘Phalgun’ or ‘Sawan’, harvest festivals or rain etc., the befitting songs exalt the heart and emotions with verse and rhyme.
Mainly string instruments are used to make music. The sarangi is generally preferred. For the wind instruments, the ‘been’ and the ‘bansuri’ provide lilting tunes in tandem with the ‘dholak’, a drum usually played with the palms or little sticks. A ‘matka’ (earthen pitcher) may replace the dholak in certain areas to form the backbeat.