Study Guide · Chapter 6
Folk and Devotional Musical Traditions
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- Baul: A syncretic mystic minstrel tradition of Bengal, blending Hindu Vaishnava, Sufi, and Tantric elements, sung by wandering singers; recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.
- Bhajan and Kirtan: Devotional song traditions across India, especially associated with the Bhakti movement (e.g., compositions of Meera Bai, Tulsidas, Surdas, Kabir set to music), and congregational singing (sankirtan) popularised by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in Bengal.
- Qawwali: See Hindustani section above — a devotional genre of the Sufi tradition, closely associated with Nizamuddin Auliya's shrine in Delhi; modern popularisers include the Sabri Brothers and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (Pakistan).
- Lavani and folk theatre music (Maharashtra), Rajasthani folk music (Manganiyar and Langa communities, hereditary musician castes of Rajasthan known for their distinctive style), Bihu songs (Assam).
- Rabindra Sangeet: The vast body of songs composed by Rabindranath Tagore (over 2,000 songs), forming a distinctive genre in Bengali culture, encompassing devotional, patriotic, and romantic themes; two Tagore compositions serve as national anthems — "Jana Gana Mana" (India) and "Amar Sonar Bangla" (Bangladesh).
- Nagaswaram and temple music traditions of South India, integral to temple ritual and festival contexts.
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