Haryanvi Music
Evolution
Owning a rich tradition
of classical & folk music, The Indian state of Haryana set in the red soil
of Aravalli Hills, is rich with fertile land, thus making it one of the highest
crop producing states in India .
The geographical location of Haryana has Punjab on its North-West, Rajasthan in
the South-West, Delhi
in the South-East, Uttar Pradesh in the East, and Uttaranchal in the North. The
folk music of Haryana can well be classified into two main categories: The
first one includes the countryside music wherein legendary tales, such as
Purana-Bhagata, ceremonial songs, seasonal songs, ballads etc fall into. Its
unique feature is that their music survives in cross-cultural traits of social
rapport wherein ragas such as Jai Jai Vanti, Pahari, Bhairavi, Kafi, Jhinjhoti
and Bhairav are used. This apart, Raga Pilu is also used in some songs sung by
the Ahirs, and uses a scale with twelve semi tones. Yet another form is the
classical one which comprises of songs with mythological themes. Herein the
group song that is closely linked with the classical form of singing comes
under this category. It is worth mentioning that Allah, Jaimalphalla, Barahmas,
some Teej songs, Phag and Holi songs, belong to this group.Communities such as
the Jogis, Bhats and Saangis own the pride of popularizing folk music in
Haryana whereby the Jogis are skilled in using Allah, Jaimal-phatta and other
heroic ballads with their rich melodies and resonant-appealing voice. This
apart their use of the musical instrument sarangi as an accompaniment to their
songs is also a noteworthy feature.
Trends write-up
The main musical instruments of Haryana include: Iktara - a stringed instrument with one string, made from a piece of bamboo with a gourd at one end. This instrument is associated with the Jogis. The iktara's two-stringed variant is the dotara. Been - two bamboo pipes fixed in a gourd, associated with snake charmers, Sarangi - a bow instrument, used both in Haryana's folk and classical music, Shehnai – a wind instrument , Bansuri – a wind instrument with an ancient history ,Shankh - a sacred wind instrument, associated with Lord Vishnu
Trivia/ Quotes
It is interesting to
note that there are villages in the north Indian state of Haryana that have
been named after classical ragas. A remarkable feature seen in Dadri Tehsil
district is that, several villages have names related to ragas like Nandyam,
Sarangpur, Bilawala, Brindabana, Todi, Asaveri, Jaishri, Malakoshna, Hindola,
Bhairavi, Gopi Kalyana etc. Similarly in the Jind district there are villages
named Jai Jai Vanti, Malavi etc.
The festivity of
harvesting has indeed given rise to the tradition of art and craft, music,
dance and folklore of Haryana as the state is primarily an agriculture oriented
state. The happiness of celebrations has mingled with the colours of dazzling
attires backed by the beats of dholak in Phag, Dhamal or Ratvai.
Source: http://www.planetradiocity.com