India Grooves To Desi Carols

This melodic Marathi Christmas carol echoes through the cold December night. In India though, Christmas is less of a snowy, silent night and more of a vibrant carnival where tradition meets creativity. Seasoned with regional languages like Konkani, Marathi, Tamil, Malayalam, and even Punjabi, and spiced up with dhol, tabla, and bhangra beats, desi carols are an amalgamation of India’s rich cultural and lingual diversity. What began as solemn European hymns have blossomed into a vibrant symphony — a celebration where the manger might echo with the rhythms of a ghumat or the joyous swirl of a bhangra groove.

Origins of Desi Carols

Christianity’s roots in India stretch back over two millennia, but it was the arrival of European missionaries in the 16th century that set the stage for the creation of Indianized carols. In Goa, under Portuguese influence, local Konkani-speaking communities began adapting Catholic hymns into their native language. Carols like “Modgunno Yesuge” (Rejoice, Jesus is born) were sung with local instruments like the ghumat and kansallem, giving birth to a unique Goan Christmas tradition.

Similarly, in Maharashtra, East Indian Catholics, one of the oldest Christian communities in the state, composed carols in Marathi. The carols were inspired by folk traditions, where melodies are often borrowed from lavani and abhangs, making them resonate with local sensibilities.

Symphony of Languages

Desi carols are a linguistic mosaic, reflecting India’s diversity. “When we sing these carols in different languages, we can connect with such people in their own native language,” says Rev. Sathasivam Muthiah, a pastor from Navi Mumbai. With Tamil as his mother tongue, his musical journey started with singing carols in Tamil and English. “I gradually learned Hindi, as it was a whole new language for me,” says Muthiah.

In eastern India, Bengali carols like “Phele Aaye Bishar Sabar Majhe" (He came among us) bring Rabindranath Tagore’s poetic influence into the festive fold. While in the Hindi-speaking belt, the adaptation of “Jingle Bells”, famously sung as “Ghanti Bajti Hai” adds a playful twist to the Christmas carol. “These songs comfort people and give them a new hope. Hence the carols become a medium for connecting with people and transforming lives,” adds Muthiah.

From Punjab to Goa

The joy of carolling isn’t just a southern tradition — northern communities have added their own flair with lively bhangra beats and soulful Punjabi lyrics. Songs like ‘Masih Da Janam Hua Hai’ and ‘Raah Dikha De Masih’ bring a festive energy, blending faith with Punjab’s vibrant musical culture.
No conversation about desi carols is complete without mentioning Goa. Here, carol singers often go door to door singing Konkani hymns like “Sontos Bhogsia” (Rejoice with gladness). “Goan carols are festive yet deeply spiritual,” says Jose Pereira, a Goan choir artist. “They reflect our unique cultural amalgamation, where European, Indian, and Konkani elements coexist harmoniously” he adds.

Modern Makeover

In recent years, desi carols have embraced a modern twist. The addition of jazz and pop elements to traditional hymns makes them popular among urban audiences. Take, for example, the Marathi carol ‘Yesu Aala Aaplya Ghari’ (Jesus has come to our home), which features upbeat dholki rhythms and harmonium interludes. “I think the younger Generation has a mix of both, enjoying the relatable style of music of the present while appreciating the classic sound of Christmas carols one heard growing up,” says the musical duo Tara & Trisha, who currently resides in LA.

A Community Affair

In many Indian households, carol singing is as much about togetherness as it is about the music. Choirs often gather weeks before Christmas, rehearsing tirelessly in homes, church halls, or even open fields. “Music does bring people closer to God, but it also depends on the Musician how anointed they are,” says choir singer and musician Moses Christopher Muthiah.

Carollers go house to house, collecting donations that fund local charities or church programmes. In the tribal regions of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, carol singing takes on a unique character, with traditional tribal dances and drums accompanying the hymns.

Preserving Tradition

As globalization continues to influence Christmas celebrations in India, efforts are being made to preserve the authenticity of desi carols. Churches and community groups are documenting old hymns, while younger generations are encouraged to learn and perform them.

Digital platforms like YouTube have also helped revive interest in traditional carols. Choirs from smaller towns and villages now share their performances online, reaching audiences far and wide. As December evenings resonate with the sweet strains of these hymns, they serve as a reminder that the spirit of Christmas is universal, yet beautifully local in its expression.