Quizkrieg: Immersed in the boundless rhythm

World Music Day is an annual music celebration that takes place on June 21. It celebrates music in all its forms and the impact it’s had on the world and the human spirit. Let’s glance through the styles of rich Indian Music.

1 This is a mystical music cult unique to Bengal. Etymologically it means “madness” or “crazy”. They are known as traveling minstrels who perform ecstatic songs and poems. It’s easy to identify a singer from his uncut coiled hair, saffron robe and the single-stringed guitar (ektara). Identify. 

2 This musical form is closely connected to the famous Mughal singer Tansen and is a North Indian style that features a straight delivery. Performance begins with a long, complex alaap and focuses more on the nuances of the raga and the text and less on technical feats. Identify.

3 This is an example of Hindustani light classical music created by Nawab Ali Shah. It is primarily a vocal style of romantic music written from the perspective of the woman. Dadri, Hori, Chaiti, Kajri and Jhool are sub genres of this. Identify. 

4 It is one of the most popular types of folk music played in Jammu & Kashmir. It is played with musical instruments like harmonium, rubab and sarangi. It ends with the rouf, though rouf is a dance form. It is a very important part of the Henna Night during weddings for Kashmiri Pandits and the Kashmiri Muslims. Identify.

5 It is a form of Indian semi-classical vocal music known for its rapid, delicate and complex arrangement. The singer uses an extraordinary rule of continuous efforts of not to stop while singing. The music compositions are very short. Singers sing this based on shringara rasa. Identify. 

Answers: 
1. Bauls
2. Dhrupad 
3. Thumri
4. Chakri
5. Tappa