Regional Classic Folks Music

Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh is the state that only had a wide range of music as compared to other states.  To fascinate the visitors, this state has all kind of music genres like folk, semi-classical, and classical.  Various popular and versatile masters were originated from this state in their form of music.  The form of Hindustani classical music named ‘Purbaiya Ang’ is originated in this state of Uttar Pradesh. Banaras and Varanasi were the originated center of these kind of music.

The state of Uttar Pradesh has given most popular genres of folk music as started from the East region of Uttar Pradesh.  The common famous music is named as Birha out of them. This is a kind of song that enhanced the mood and sung when the husbands of newly wed woman were moved to the distant place to earn for their life.  The other famous music genre is the Chaiti, which was sung at the month of Chait according to the Hindu calendar.  The theme of these songs is basically the fight of a beloved with affection to his lover.  In the season of monsoon, the popular genre sung is Kajari. In this genre also, there is separation of a beloved ones that indicated in the theme of this genre but this genre is less deep in feelings as compared to the Birha.

Ghazal is very famous in the region of Awadh.  This is a system of presenting the different genres in a particular weight and format.  Other famous genre is Thumari. This is a form of music that is presented in the Royal courts but it got popular when it comes to mid of the people.  Sufis poetry and Qawwali were very famous among the royals. This is basically sing by the Sufi saints on the tomb and increases the sleep to its climax in a loud vocal voice.  The other form is very sad that is named Marsiya. This form is very famous in between the Shia Muslims in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The Matyrdom of the Imam Hussain, who is the grandson of Muhammad and comrades, was described in the form of poetry by Marsiya.

In the Brij region, Rasiya is most common among all.  It shows the love of Lord Krishna towards Radha and milkmaids, which is the basic theme of this genre folk. This genre is sung at the time of Holi in Brij.