Hindi Folk Songs

Very few songs today have the original Hindi folk music alive in them today. The folk music of India varies with each state the most popular of these being Punjabi Folk Songs or Bhangra, Rajasthani Folk Songs, Gujarati Songs Folk, Dogri Folk Songs, Pahadi Folk Songs, Lavani Folk songs etc. Many of these rare songs are available today for download free on the net with their Lyrics and video in a number of formats including mp3, real and wma.

The arrival of films and indipop music weakened folk music's popularity, but cheaply recordable music has made it easier to find and helped revive the old traditions. Folk music (Desi Music) has been influential on classical Indian music, which is viewed as a higher art form. Instruments and styles have had an effect on classical ragas. It is also not uncommon for major writers, saints and poets to have large musical libraries and traditions to their name, often sung in thumri (semi-classical) style.

Punjabi Folk Songs: Bhangra is the folk music of Punjab which has taken not only India by storm but is hugely popular overseas as well. The present musical style is derived from the traditional musical accompaniment to the folk dance of Punjab called by the same name, Bhangra.

Marathi Folk Songs: Lavani is a popular folk form of Maharashtra. Traditionally, the songs are sung by female singers in lavish costumes, but male artistes may occasionally sing Lavani. The dance format associated with Lavani is known as Tamasha.

Rajasthani Folk Songs and Dance: Rajasthani has a very diverse cultural collection of musician castes, including Langas, Sapera, Bhopa, Jogi and Manganiyar. Its described as a soulful, full-throated music with harmonious diversity. The haunting melody of Rajasthan evokes from a variety of delightfully primitive looking instruments. The stringed variety include the Sarangi, Rawanhattha, Kamayacha, Morsing and Ektara.Percussion instruments come in all shapes and sizes from the huge Nagaras and Dhols to the tiny Damrus. The Daf and Chang are a big favourite of the Holi (the festival of colours) revellers. Flutes and bagpipers come in local flavours such as Shehnai, Poongi, Algoza, Tarpi, Been and Bankia.The essence of Rajasthani Folk Music is derived from the creative symphony of string instruments, percussion instruments and wind instruments accompanied by melodious renditions of folk singers.

Some of all time favorite Indian Hindi folk songs are:

1. Padharo Mare Des from Rajasthan (Very Popular Rajasthani Folk Song) .
2. Jin Mahi from Punjab (Famous Punjabi Bhangra Song).
3. Morni Baaga Ma from Rajasthan (A famous Rajasthni Folk Bases Song from movie Lamhe, Also has glimpses of Rajasthani Folk Dance) .