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How Rhythmic Roots Reconnects Indians with Their Heritage

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In a world where trending playlists change overnight, some sounds never fade. The beats of the dhol, the hum of the sarangi, the rhythm of the tumbi - these are not just instruments; they are echoes of India’s living history. Raahein Gharana’s initiative “Rhythmic Roots” is bringing these echoes back to life - reconnecting Indians with their cultural soul through the timeless language of folk music. Rediscovering the Heartbeat of India India’s folk music is not confined to stages or studios — it lives in fields, festivals, and community gatherings. Each region has its own rhythm: The energetic beats of Rajasthan’s “Jalalo Bilalo” , echoing the courage and celebration of desert life. The soulful “Kanji” from Odisha , preserving stories passed down through generations. The festive flow of Kerala’s “Thuzha” , inspired by the harmony of Onam traditions and boat race rhythms. The emotional “Challa Mudke Aaya” from Punjab, where longing and reunion find voice through folk melodies...
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Beyond the Dhol: The Soul and Storytelling of Punjabi Folk Music

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When many people hear “Punjabi folk music,” the first instrument that comes to mind is the dhol . It’s loud, festive, and impossible to ignore. But to reduce Punjabi music to that one booming drum is to overlook the subtle threads that define its storytelling power. Through voice, melody, instrumentation and metaphor, Punjabi folk songs carry lived experience - of love, loss, belonging and movement. The recent song Challa Mudke Aaya , released by Raahein Gharana, is a case in point. It layers folk sounds with modern rhythms to tell a family story that feels both personal and universal. In doing so, it offers a window into how Punjabi folk music continues to evolve while remaining rooted in soul and narrative. Roots of the Tale: Storytelling as Punjabi Identity Stories are central to Punjabi life - shared on porches, in fields, at weddings. Folk songs are part of that tradition. They are portable dramas: Boliyan at weddings express advice, gentle teasing, longing. Tappas often s...
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Music as a Bridge: How Challa Mudke Aaya Tells a Father-Son Story

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There is a long tradition in Punjabi folk music of songs that carry family stories—of leaving, longing and, sometimes, return. Challa Mudke Aaya, released by RAAHEIN Gharana under the Rhythmic Roots: Punjab series, takes that tradition and extends it. Musically and narratively, the song becomes a bridge: between father and son, past and present, rural roots and modern rhythms. At its heart, Challa Mudke Aaya is a story everyone recognises. A young man leaves home to chase dreams; success arrives with cost; distance and misunderstanding follow; and, finally, there is the fragile, redemptive return. The song does what great music does best—it translates private emotion into a shared experience and, in the process, brings old instruments, local voices and contemporary sounds into one conversation. The Challa: A Symbol That Speaks Volumes In Punjabi folklore, the word challa carries layered meaning. Often, a ring or a token stands for separation, longing, and memory in many folk songs. RAA...
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Why Punjabi Folk Songs Are More Than Music

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Punjabi folk songs do more than fill the air with melody. They hold memory, identity and social life. Across villages and cities, weddings and fields, festivals and funerals, these songs carry the language of a people: their work, their love, their losses, and their stubborn hope. In the recent release Challa Mudke Aaya (Raahein Gharana), a timeless Punjabi story—departure, longing and return—is retold with both old instruments and new voices. That blend shows how folk music remains an active, living force, not a museum piece. Below we explore the many roles Punjabi folk songs play—cultural archive, social glue, political voice, emotional therapy, and creative resource—and how contemporary projects are keeping these songs alive. 1. Oral Memory: Songs as Living Archives Before printed books reached most Punjabi households, songs were the library. Ballads and bolis preserved local history, land disputes, migration routes and family stories. Couplets that seem simple on the surface often ...
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From Rituals to Rhythms – The Role of Music in Onam Celebrations

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Onam is Kerala’s biggest harvest festival - ten days of ritual, food, and public celebration that usually falls in Chingam (Aug–Sep) . It opens with the Athachamayam procession and culminates on Thiruvonam , when homes are decked with pookalam (flower carpets) and families gather for the Onasadya feast. Music and rhythm run through every stage - at home, in temples, and on the streets - turning Onam into a living soundscape. The core sound of Onam: Kerala’s percussion and song traditions Panchavadyam: five instruments, one heartbeat A classic temple ensemble, Panchavadyam blends five instruments— timila, maddalam, ilathalam (cymbals), idakka/edakka, and kombu —into a rising, mathematically structured crescendo. You’ll hear it at temple courtyards and public stages through the season. Maddalam: barrel drum that powers the bass layer. Ilathalam: hand cymbals that lock the pulse. Edakka (idakka): pressure drum capable of melody-like inflections. Kombu: curved natural brass hor...
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Aranmula Boat Race – A Must-See Once in a Lifetime

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When you think of Kerala, lush greenery, serene backwaters, and vibrant festivals come to mind. Among its many cultural treasures, one stands out for its grandeur and spirit of unity — the Aranmula Boat Race , also known as Aranmula Vallamkali . This is not just a sporting event; it is a blend of history, devotion, art, and tradition that has been celebrated for centuries. If you ever want to witness Kerala’s heritage at its purest, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience you shouldn’t miss. The Origins and History of Aranmula Boat Race The Aranmula Boat Race is held annually on the Pampa River in the village of Aranmula , Pathanamthitta district, Kerala. The event takes place during the Malayalam month of Chingam (August–September), coinciding with the Uthrattathi star day , just after Onam celebrations. The roots of this festival are linked to the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple , dedicated to Lord Krishna. According to legend, a Brahmin devotee once pledged to offer a grand f...
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Musical Instruments of Odisha

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Odisha, a state steeped in mythology, heritage, and cultural artistry, carries a centuries-old musical legacy that thrives far beyond the concert halls and classical performances. The musical instruments of Odisha, particularly its folk and tribal instruments, are not merely tools for melody - they are vessels of history, ritual, community, and identity. Whether accompanying traditional dances, festivals, village storytelling, or spiritual rituals, Odia instruments reflect the region’s immense cultural diversity. And in projects like RAAHEIN Gharana’s recent song "KANJI," these instruments take center stage, echoing both legacy and living practice. Let us explore some of the most iconic and culturally significant musical instruments of Odisha that define its native soundscape. 1. Mardal The Percussive Pulse A cousin of the pakhawaj, the Mardal is a barrel-shaped wooden drum with two sides, often seen in Odissi dance performances. It produces deep bass on one end and s...
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