RAAHEIN Gharana

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 family 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 an...

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...