State of Punjab is known for its traditional Music and dance form globally. However, our folk songs are dying a slow death. It has to be revived, modern-day music is killing the very essence of folk music and dance of Punjab.

Folk music is rural music that originally was passed down through families and other small social groups, to common people. Typically, folk music, like folk literature, was passed on in oral tradition; it was learned through hearing rather than reading. The rhythm of Punjabi folk music is very simple.

Romantic songs, Festival songs of Vasakhi and Lohri, Jugni, Mahia, Tappe, Jindua, Dhola, Kafian, Dohre, Bolian, Sadda, Jhokan and the folk romances of Punjab region like Heer Ranjha, Mirza Sahiban, Sohni Mahiwal, Sassi Punnun are main folk love songs. Barah Barsi songs are all popular folk music of Punjab.

Folk songs are usually of anonymous authorship and often have many versions, as they were heard and sung, and few lyrics would change.

As of today most of the songs come in a re-mix version, there is no originality in it. The sweetness for which Punjabi music was popular is sounding more westernised now.

Many singers have sung songs without the accompaniment of any music, which sounds so refreshing as though Angels are singing. Some songs were sung with the accompaniment of traditional instruments as dhol, tumbi, dhadd, sarangi, gharha, gagar, chimta, algoze, Tanpura and Ektara. Ektara is a single-string instrument, it has a titillating sound.

Tanpura does not play a melody but rather supports and sustains the melody of another instrument or singer by providing a continuous harmonic bourdon or drone. Drums beaten with sticks create thumping music.

The Punjabi folk music has diverse styles of music, There is a great repertoire of music from the time of a child's birth through the different stages of joy and sorrow, wedding, bride's departure, different songs sung at Boy's wedding called as 'Ghodi'.

Different songs to be sung at a girl's wedding, popularly known as 'Suhaag' all tear-jerker songs, most of the Suhaag lyrics were a sort of conversation between mother and daughter, father and daughter, or conversation among friends. Nostalgic as my mama taught me Punjabi songs, though I didn't learn to play Dholak from her, which I should have learned.

Wedding songs are classified differently at different rituals, songs when a girl is made to sit 'Maiyaa' whereas in Diya's, small oil lamps were lit on a pot and the girl would not dress up for at least eight days before marriage, this custom was reduced to 3 days, in the busy schedule this custom is no more followed. After "Maiyaa' when the girl would dress up as a bride she would look stunning.

A week before the wedding, ladies would sit with a Dholak and spoon to sing the song 'Gaun' and tease each other, celebrating the moment.

While the bride would be adorned with a 'Churah' set of Red and off-white bangles, dipped in milk and water, by her maternal uncle, a song would be sung by all her relatives and friends.

After the wedding ritual, the Bride and the Groom would be surrounded by friends and relatives and were asked to recite a "Chandh", which would bring in merriment all around.

Sadly, modernisation has killed all these traditions.

When the bride would leave her parent's house and bid farewell by throwing rice grains over her head into the lap of her brothers behind her, a song was sung,and when she bid farewell to her parents and relatives the songs would be of sad stature, which made everyone cry, this tradition too is discontinued.

When the bride reaches the Groom's place happy music would be played and once again joy and happiness would spread all around. This custom too is not followed now.

'Vein' are songs which were sung at the death of a person, this music of Vein has been discontinued.

Punjabi folk music and Songs were lyricised on all possible Relationships, situations, romantic songs, happy songs, and sad songs. I love to hear these songs endlessly.

Punjab is a land of many good singers who kept the ranging from folk, classical, and Sufi music alive. Surinder Kaur and Prakash Kaur two sisters from Punjab were instrumental in keeping the Punjabi folk music alive. Abeeda Praveen, Asa Singh Mastana, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Hans Raj Hans, Gurdas Mann, Malkit Singh, and Daler Mehendi, are a few singers names I can remember of traditional songs and Sufi singing, you still feel good listening to their music.

Punjabi folk Music is so melodious and mesmerising , when we listen to it we are transported to a different beautiful land of serenity and we emerge to be a rejuvenated person. It's so peaceful and destressing.

Due to the lack of musicianship Punjabi folk genre is committed to reusing melodies created hundreds of years ago alas with new lyrics.

Disc Jockeys with a loud blare of music, are the new norm.

Bollywood has a big hand in spreading Punjabi Culture and music among the masses.

Maybe it was traditional music which kept all the bonds of humans strong. Culture and Traditions create Character, which is seemingly being lost.

Enjoy the popular Punjabi folk song, "Kala Doriyaa Kunde naal Aariya oye, chotta devra pabi naal lariyaan oye" video attached sung by Surinder Kaur and Parkash Kaur.

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