The Drum is Beating: The Push and Pull of Music in India

Andrea H.

Lilly F.

B3

            We chose to do the topic of Indian music because we both enjoy music very much. We were excited by the opportunity to research and listen to music from other cultures. We were interested by the conflict between modern Indian music and classical Indian music. They are similar because many of the sounds and songs are created using the same instruments. These instruments are traditional to Indian culture, such as the veena. Some of the same artists from the past are recording new music. However, there are many differences between modern music and traditional Indian music. Modern Indian music has been heavily influenced by western culture. Remixes of old songs have been created, and Indi pop has been developed. Indi pop is basically the Indian version of Western pop music. These differences are the cause for much disagreement between the advantages and disadvantages of modern and traditional music in India. Many Indian people look at music as a link to their culture and to their past. They see modern music as a threat to their traditional culture. However, other Indians enjoy the new, modern music. They embrace the influence of the Western culture and allow it to blend in with their traditional culture. These very different views have caused arguements about the benefits and disadvantages of modern versus traditional music.

Traditional

<http://youtube.com/watch?v=zb2JCouESyk>

  This is an example of traditional Indian folk music. Indian folk music was originally created, in part, for the listeners to dance to. There are several different genres of folk music, including Bhavageete and Bhangra. All of these traditional types of music are important to the Indian culture. They are very expressive and different dances symbolize different things. Indian folk music, like the example above, is created using traditional instruments. A loss of this beautiful style of music would mean the loss of one of the aspects that makes India unique.

Modern

<http://youtube.com/watch?v=-_2gW3zwMMQ>

    The video above is an example of an Indian song that is a combination of traditional Indian music with modern influences. This song became a hit in the Bollywood film "Dil Se". While it contains elements of traditional Indian music, it has many obvious Western influences. These modern influences seem to have increased the popularity of the song. It was a hit in many Westernized countries, such as England. It was also featured in the modern film "Inside Man". Though some may oppose, many Indians view this westernization as a positive change occuring to their society.

Dialogue

Mother: Honey. Honey. HONEY!! Get those headphones out of your ears!!!

Daughter: NO MOM YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND. I NEED TO LISTEN TO THE LATEST SONG.

Mother: What latest song? There are no new songs that are good enough to be worth listening to. You should listen to our traditional Indian

    music!

Daughter: NO MOM!!! ALL OF MY FRIENDS LISTEN TO THESE SONGS!! THOSE TRADITIONAL SONGS ARE LAME. BESIDES THESE SONGS ARE        

    AMAZING AND ALL MY FRIENDS LISTEN TO THEM!

Mother: You should not let your dumb American friends influence you!! Don't give into peer pressure! Haven't your father and I taught you

    anything?

Daughter: MOM!!!! I want to be popular. If i listen to the Indian traditional music then everyone will laugh at me. Do you want people to laugh

    at me?

Mother: No, but you shouldn't care what people think about you. You should show your pride in your heritage. I'm sure your friends would

    understand.

Daughter: MY FREINDS DONT UNDERSTAND!!!THIS IS BECUASE THE MUSIC IS NOT GOOD. THEY WOULD UNDERSTAND IF THE MUSIC WAS GOOD!

Mother: You have no taste in music! You are a disgrace to your ancestors and to your culture!

       -As one can see, arguments similar to this one become more of a possibility as modern Indian music continues to change. These conflicts             between traditional and modern are a big problem in India today.

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