Latest Punjabi Songs

Telly Belly brings the latest Punjabi songs reflecting the traditions of the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent. Punjab is divided into two parts.  East Punjab is in India and West Punjab is a Pakistani state. The Punjab has diverse styles of music, ranging from folk and Sufi to classical, notably the Patiala gharana.

Instruments

Instruments in Punjabi Songs

Punjabi song makers used 87 music instruments during the last century. Today only 55 of those remain in action. Many of these instruments are closely tied to Punjabi culture and heritage. The dhol, for example, continues to be popular because it is important to special proceedings such as weddings and sporting events. Additionally, the popularity of certain instruments encourages people to continue learning to play them; therefore, maintaining their relevance in Punjabi events.

Punjabi Songs and 1980s

Terrorist events in during the late 1980s threatened the existence of Punjabi folk music and the instruments that accompanied this genre. Several notable artists were killed and many major festivals were cancelled. It seemed that there was not a space for folk music to exist. The boom of technology also threatened folk music by creating a new genre of music known as Punjabi Pop, which mixed electronic and folk music. The following instruments are the most popular within Punjabi music.

Algoza

The algoza consists of two joined beak flutes. The player uses one of these flutes to create melody and the other for drone. The player must be trained not only to play music but also to breath in a certain way as a continuous flow of air is necessary as the player blows into the two flutes simultaneously.

Dhol

Dhol resembles much of the construction of a drum. It is a two-sided drum of mango wood. Player uses two slightly curved sticks to play rhythmic beats.

Chimta

The chimta is similar to tongs and consist of long iron strip. These tongs have small metal discs called chaene attached on their inner side. Player strikes both tongs against each other. This makes the chaene hit against each other createing rhythmic sound.

Dholki

The dholki is a smaller, feminine version of the dhol.[4] Usually women play it during the marriages and religious gatherings. Sometimes they decorated it with tassels.

Kanjari

This is a shallow one sided drum. It is usually round but can sometimes by octagonal. It has 18 to 28 cm diameter and set with rattling discs around the rim- in essence of a tambourine.

Kanto

This a stick with a squirrel (galad) on top. Attached to the head of the squirrel is a cord, which jerks its head up, “producing a sharp click”.[7] At the same time, bells attached to its tail jingles.

Dhad.

The Dhad has the hourglass shape of the damroo and but is slightly larger. The body of this instrument is made from mango, mulberry or sheesham wood and the heads are covered in goatskin held taut with cords. The fingers are used to tap and make sounds that can vary based on how tightly or loosely the strings are maintained.[8]