How is the richness of our musical heritage reflected in our folk music?

The richness of our musical heritage is best reflected in our folk music. Each area or region has its unique folk music.

The folk music and folk dance are intermingled and reflect the culture of the particular region. Our folk music with its rich variety and diversity has greatly influenced our classical music.

(a) Sufi traditions of khanqas gave birth to qawwali.

(b) Mehlas or chapters in the Adi Granth of Sikhs contain specific ragas.

(c) Sojkhwant or dirge singing in the majlis during Muharram.

(d) Haveli sangeet, kirtans, bhajans, choirs are some of the prominent modes of devotional music.

(e) Musical modes like chaiti, phag, kajari are some of the best examples of folk music.

(f) There are some folk music or dance to mark the special occasion like harvesting season i.e., Bihu in Assam, Baisakhi in Punjab and Pongal in South India.