Folk Music of Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh is one of the richest states of India in terms of the traditions and cultures of the land. One may easily find significant variations in tongue, food, festivals celebrated, clothes that people wear, religious practices, worship etc. district to district in Uttar Pradesh. Similar variations are found in the folk music or folk songs of Uttar Pradesh.

Folk music can be defined in a number of ways. It could be said to be a kind of music which is passed orally from generation to generation. Folk music is usually related to the daily life of people of that place or is sung to express the importance of some festival, the ritual of the land. Weddings or the birth of a child are other special occasions on which the singing of some special folk songs is a popular way of spreading happiness and to entertain the audience which are the people who gather on these occasions. Also, the composer of folk music is generally unknown due to the fact that it has been passed on from generation to generation. Due to this reason, their lyrics may also vary with time and distance.

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In Uttar Pradesh, almost every district has a slightly different culture. Hence, with the variations in the traditions and rituals, the folk songs also vary gradient from one district to another. Out of numerous types of folk songs of Uttar Pradesh, some are very popular and have great importance in the respective festivals or occasions they are sung for. Some of them we will see in the list of folk music of Uttar Pradesh in the next section.

Popular Folk Song of Uttar Pradesh

Some of the folk song of Uttar Pradesh are as follows.

• Sohar

Sohar Lokgeet is one of the special types of folk songs sung usually to celebrate the birth of a child by the family members, neighbours or regional Sohar singers. These songs are based on the happiness and joy a newborn brings to the family. Such songs consist of a beautiful description of the seasons and festivals with the new guest of the family, his or her relation to different members of the family, description of the common amusing activities of a child by comparing them to the birth of lords Rama and Krishna or goddess Laxmi and blessings given to the new champ. It may however also be sung on occasions like Satmasa, Ram Navmi, Krishna Janmashtami (i.e., the birthdays of Rama and Krishna respectively).

• Rasiya

Rasiya is a very popular genre of folk music in Uttar Pradesh, especially in the Braj region. It is actually a mixture of multiple genres and is usually based on a wide variety of subjects. But one of its kind is much popular in which it describes the relationship of lord Krishna and the Gopis. The music is played with instruments such as dholki, kraal, sarangi, sitar and harmonium. It is usually performed by regional entertainers or professionals on special occasions. Some of these are also sung at festivals like Krishna Janamashtmi in the temples or other places of worship.

• Bhajans

Bhajans are another example of the traditional music of Uttar Pradesh. These are very popular devotional songs sung and listened to very frequently in temples, on special devotional festivals such as Dussehra and Deepawali, in Satsangs and Kirtans. This kind of music is much popular among Hindus but is also followed by Sikhs and Jains. The lyrics are devotional by genre and are used to express faith and love to the Gods or Goddesses in a beautiful and melodious way.

• Ramlila

Ramlila is a kind of folk dramatic play performed during the autumn festival of Navratri followed by Dussehra. The play is based on the ancient Hindu epic ‘Ramayana’ written in ‘Ramcharitmanas’ by Tulsidas. The play describes the life of Rama as the 7th avatar of Lord Vishnu. The play reaches its climax at the time of Dussehra with the end of evil powers and victory of truth and wisdom. The giant grotesque effigies of Ravana as devil power are burnt followed by fireworks. The event is usually organised by a local committee known as the ‘Ramlila Samiti’. Ramlila is popular in various regions of Uttar Pradesh such as Ayodhya, Varanasi, Vrindavan, Samani, Almora and Madhubani etc.

• Chanayni

Chanayni Geet are a type of regional dance song. These are generally performed on small stages or halls at gatherings like weddings, anniversaries, etc. The song and the dance are usually made funny and entertaining by the addition of acting and mimicry to it.

• Nautanki

Nautanki is a type of dance music usually performed in villages by its professionals on stage. The theme of this type of music is based on the activities or happenings that are very common in villages. It may be related to farming, cattle-keeping, festivals related specifically to that region etc. The aim is to deliver a performance that is entertaining and relatable commonly to the village audience.

• Qawwali

These are the Sufi versions of poetry that are sung usually by forming two groups. These groups sing in synchronism in alternate turns. The idea is mainly to reply to the opposite team with relevant lyrics which match in rhythm or music to the opponent’s previous lyrics but is in contrast with the thought, idea or message it delivers. Such kind of music is much popular among the Muslim community. These may be scripted or live also.

Some Qawwalis are devotional and hence have a single group of people as there is no meaning of contradictory, competitive or opposite thoughts in devotional lyrics.

• Kaharwa

Kaharwa is another popular folk song of Uttar Pradesh sung by the people of the Kahar caste at weddings. Instruments like dholki, manjeera, chimta and damru are used in this kind of music.

• Nauka Jhakkad

Nauka Jhakkad is also known as the barber song. This type of song is quite popular among the barber community.

• Banjara and Njava

Banjara and Njava are the songs sung at night by the ‘Teli’ community of Uttar Pradesh.

• Kajli or Kajri

Kajli (also known as Kajri) are special songs that females sing during the arrival of ‘Sawan’.These songs are sung to celebrate and show the likelihood of the season of rainfall and the happiness of its arrival. This kind of music falls under the semi-classical category and is quite closely related to the Banaras Gharana.

• Jarewa and Sadavajra Saranga

Jarewa and Sadavajra Saranga are the popular folk song of Uttar Pradesh. These kinds of music are used to tell folk stories in the form of verses. 

The Government of Uttar Pradesh is promoting these folk songs and music. Several music competitions and award functions are organised to encourage folk music of Uttar Pradesh.

Hence it can be considered that Uttar Pradesh is among the richest states of India in the fields of the traditions and cultures of the land. One may easily find variations in local language, food, festivals celebrated, clothes that people wear, religious practices, worship etc. district to district in Uttar Pradesh. . It is a popular way of spreading happiness and entertaining the audience which are the people who gather on these occasions. Also, the composer of folk music is generally not known due to the fact that it has been passed on from generation to generation. Due to this reason, their lyrics also vary with time and distance