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(GIST OF YOJANA) POPULAR MUSIC IN INDIA

(MARCH-2024)

POPULAR MUSIC IN INDIA

Context:

Popular music is a genre that emerged from traditional music. It is a type of music that pleases the senses of the masses. It is not entirely devoid of rules, though they are less stringent in popular music than they are in classical music. It sounds very different from traditional music, yet it has its roots in the tradition from which it evolved. The primary reason for its existence is the need of 'newness' in current music. 'Freshness' or 'newness' of music is an important element of popular music as it is meant to cater to the masses. Popular music gives importance to words along with the tune; it is pleasing and entertaining and thus far from abstract.

Natyasangeet

Popular music is diverse. It has many forms under its umbrella, like classical music, film music, band music, bhavasangeet ,abhangs, bhajans and bhaktigeete. Monarchy ended in India leaving no patronage for classical music and musicians. Both music and musicians became entirely dependent on people for its sustenance.

Film Music

Film music in India is an important part of popular music and is one of its kind. Unlike western films, Indian cinema largely has songs as an integral part of it. In the earlier years of Indian cinema, the songs were primarily part of the progression of the story. The idea of using songs in a storyline came into existence because of Sangeet Natak.

Band Music

Band music started taking shape in India in 1980's and was fully established by 1990's. 'Indian Ocean' was one of the pioneers and a very popular band in India. It was born out of the need to create new music when a small group of musician friends jammed and composed their first composition.
The Local Train were formed. Though it has texts by Kabir, its presentation is very different from a traditional set-up of Indian music concert. The artist ensemble presents their music by standing or sitting. Swaying while performing and wearing casual clothing are a few of the specialties of these groups. In band music, on average, each performer gets an equal amount of time for performing.
Some part of presenting is performing together, while some part of presenting is when the artists improvise solo. In band music, no single artist is the main artist. It is theentire group that matters in band music. Popular music is not bound by grammar, frameworks, rules and regulations. It focuses more on creating music which is pleasing and entertaining and parallelly puts across a certain message to the audience.

Regional Popular Music

Bhavasangeet or bhavageete are sung in all the regional languages in India. They are also called light music. The voice application in this form of music is seldom full-throated and the words and emotions are of high importance. The entire structure of the song is very melodic, and a variety of patterns of rhythm are used in it. Use of harmony and contra in Bhavasangeet, Abhangs, bhajan, or bhaktigeete make it stand out. The songs are sung in devotion or praise of god. Abhangs are written by saints, while bhajans and bhaktigeete are written by poets.

Popular music, being a lighter form of music, can be more appreciated by the masses. The time duration per piece is limited to a few minutes which makes it easier for the lay audience to sit through it. Each type of music has a certain role to play.
Dhrupad and Khayal are serious forms of music and are not meant for entertainment. Popular music is a lighter form of music which focuses more on entertainment. All these forms of music are like jewels, which makes the entire world of music massive, diverse, and rich.

Conclusion:

An artist unique perspective on the world. Unique to the human race, art, like language or music is one of the few things that make humans differ from animals. It affects the human mind or psyche in a way that is not clearly understood in academics.
Nevertheless, it mysteriously helps us humans understand ourselves in great depth, as well as connect with others. Psychoanalysts have analysed art as a form of sublimation or transformation of one's reality into something useful for all.