Classical Folk Music of Haryana

The classical form of Haryana music is closely associated with and based on Indian classical music. The Indian state of Haryana has produced a number of kinds of folk music, and has also produced innovations in Indian classical music. Hindustani classical ragas are used to sing Alha-Khand (1663-1202 CE) about bravery of Alha and Udal, Jaimal Fatta of Maharana Udai Singh II of Chittor (Maharana Udai Singh was the son of Rana Sanga and the father of famous braveheart Maharana Pratap), Brahmas, Teej festive songs, Phaag songs of Phalgun month of Holi and Holi songs.^[4]

Desi/country music of Haryana

The country-side or desi (native) form of Haryanvi music is based on Raag Bhairvi, Raag Bhairav, Raag Kafi, Raag Jaijaivanti, Raag Jhinjhoti and Raag Pahadi and used for celebrating community bonhomie to sing seasonal songs, ballads, ceremonial songs (wedding, etc.) and related religious legendary tales such as Puran Bhagat. Ahirs also use melodic Raag Pilu on a scale using seven semi-tones.^{[citation needed]} A significant portion of songs can be categorized as religious and celebratory in nature. The individuals who perform these songs are referred to as 'Bhajans', and numerous Bhajan groups can be found performing across Haryana. These religious songs typically feature straightforward melodies accompanied by instruments such as Khartal (clappers), Dholak, Sarangi, Dhol, and Harmonium.^[10]

Kissa folklores of bravery and love such as Nihalde Sultan, Sati Manorama, Jai Singh ki Mrityu, Saran de, etc. are some of the most popular folklores. Rasa lila and "Ragini" are folk theatrical performance Haryana. The Ragini form of theater was popularised by Lakhmi Chand.^[3] Singing is a great way of demolishing societal differences as folk singers are highly esteemed and they are sought after and invited for events, ceremonies and special occasions regardless of the caste or status.^[3] Songs are based on day to day themes and injecting earthy humor enlivens the feel of the songs. Haryanvi dances have fast energetic movements, and popular dance forms are Khoriya, Chaupaiya, Loor, Been, Ghoomar, Dhamal, Phaag, Sawan and Gugga.^[3] Loor, which means girl in bangar area of Haryana, is performed in the form of questions and answers format by the girls in traditional haryanvi attire in the month of phalguna (spring) during the Holi festival to marks the arrival of pleasant spring season and sowing of the rabi crops.^[11]

Young girls and women usually sing entertaining and fast seasonal, love, relationship and friendship related songs such as Phagan (song for eponymous season/month), Katak (songs for the eponymous season/month), Samman (songs for the eponymous season/month), bande-bandi (male-female duet songs), sathne (songs of sharing heartfelt feelings among female friends).^[3] Older women usually sing devotional Mangal Geet (auspicious songs) and ceremonial songs such as Bhajan, Bhat (wedding gift to the mother of bride or groom by her brother), Sagai, Ban (Hindu wedding ritual where pre-wedding festivities starts), Kuan-Poojan (a custom that is performed to welcome the birth of male child by worshiping the well or source of drinking water), Sanjhi and Holi festival.^[3]

All these are inter-caste songs, which are fluid in nature, are never personalized for specific caste. These are sung collectively by women from different strata, castes, dialects so these songs do change fluidly in dialect, style, words, etc. This adoptive style can be seen from adoption of tunes of Bollywood movie songs into Haryanvi songs.^[3] Despite this fluid nature, haryanvi songs have a distinct style of their own.^[3]

Dances of Haryana^[12]

The Khoria dance is an exclusive performance by women, typically staged while awaiting the bridegroom's arrival with his new bride. During this enactment, the women portray the entire wedding ceremony through dance. Another traditional dance, Ghoomar, is prevalent in the western regions, involving solely girls. As they dance, they sing while twirling gracefully, gradually accelerating in pace and forming pairs, creating a captivating spectacle. Ghoomar is a customary feature at festivities like Holi, Gangaur Puja, and Teej. During harvest celebrations, men partake in a popular dance called the dhamal. The dance commences with the melodic tones of the been player, setting the rhythm for the dancers wielding sticks adorned with tinsel and tassels known as shuntis. Forming a semi-circle, the men bow in reverence, seeking the blessings of deities such as Lord Ganesh, Goddess Bhavani, and the divine Trinity. Another festive dance, the phag, sees both men and women participating, with men initiating the performance, embodying the spirit and essence of Holi, before being joined by the women.

Traditional musicians and artists

The folk music of Haryana has been spread by the Bhats, Saangis and Jogis.^{[citation needed]} Baje Bhagat, Bharatchandra kaushik, Dayachand Mayna, and Lakhmi Chand are some popular early era Haryana artists. Lakhmi Chand, a Brahmin endowed with remarkable poetic talent, rose to prominence during the 1940s and 1950s for his folk dramas known as "Saang". His life story was chronicled in "Kavi Surya Lakhmi Chand" penned by Shri K.C. Sharma.^[13]

Music Instruments

Music is made using many traditional instruments Sarangi, Harmonium, Chimta, Dhadd, Dholak, Manjeera, Khartal, Damaru, Duggi, Daf, Bansuri, Been, Ghungroo, Dhak, Gharha (by adding rubber cover on top of the pitcher), Thali (beaten with a stick to make music) and Shankha.^{[citation needed]}

Other instruments are:^{[citation needed]}

• Bansuri: wind instrument with an ancient history
• Been - two bamboo pipes fixed in a gourd, associated with snake charmers
• Iktara - a stringed instrument with one string, made from a piece of bamboo with a gourd at one end. Associated with the Jogis. The iktara's two-stringed relative is the dotara.
• Sarangi - a bow instrument, used both in Haryana's folk and classical music
• Shankh - a sacred wind instrument, associated with Vishnu
• Shehnai - wind instrument

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Post Internet Era