India's music landscape reflects the wide range of customs and regional identities found throughout the nation. It is just as diverse as its culture. The two main categories of Indian music are traditional and modern, each of which includes a variety of influences and styles. An outline of the various genres of music available in India is as follows:

Traditional Indian music is deeply rooted in the country’s cultural and religious practices. It can be divided into classical, folk, and devotional genres, each playing a significant role in preserving and expressing the country's heritage.

Classical Music:

Indian classical music is distinguished by its complex rhythmic patterns (talas) and melodies (ragas). There are two main traditions within it:

Hindustani music: Dhrupad, Khayal, and Thumri are just a few of the traditional genres that are a part of this mostly Northern Indian music. With a focus on improvisation, it features instruments such as the harmonium, sitar, and tabla.

Carnatic music: It has its roots in Southern India, and is renowned for its religious themes and structured compositions. It features genres including tillanas, varnams, and kriti, and important instruments like the flute, mridangam, and veena.

Folk Music:

Folk music in India varies widely across regions and communities, reflecting local traditions and lifestyles. Some notable folk genres include:

Bhangra: A lively dance music from Punjab, characterized by upbeat rhythms and energetic beats, often accompanied by the dhol drum.

Garba: Originating from Gujarat, Garba is associated with the Navratri festival and features vibrant, rhythmic music played on instruments like the dhol and nagada.

Kuchipudi: Although primarily a classical dance form, Kuchipudi incorporates traditional folk music elements and is performed in Andhra Pradesh.

Devotional Music:

Bhajans, Kirtans, and Qawwalis are examples of devotional music that is played during religious ceremonies and gatherings of the spiritual community. The goal of this genre is to inspire a sense of adoration and a closer bond with God. Notable variations consist of:

Bhajans: During religious ceremonies and in temples, devotional songs are sung in worship of the gods.

Kirtans: Melodic retellings of religious tales and songs that are frequently given in a call and response style.

Qawwalis: A popular Sufi devotional music genre in North India, distinguished by their expressive and emotional performances.

Apart from these music forms, Contemporary Indian music blends traditional influences with modern sounds, reflecting the dynamic and evolving nature of the country's music industry. Key contemporary genres include:

Bollywood Music: Perhaps the most well-known Indian music genre outside of India is Bollywood. It features a variety of movie tunes, from upbeat dance tracks to passionate ballads. This genre frequently has elaborate music videos and blends traditional Indian components with Western influences.

Pop Culture: The late 20th century saw the emergence of Indian pop music, or Indi-pop, which consists of a range of genres influenced by popular culture in the West. With amazing and attractive songs and colorful performances, musicians like Daler Mehndi and Alisha Chinai elevated this genre to a national level of popularity.

Alternative and Rock Music: With bands like Parikrama fusing rock with Indian sounds, rock and alternative music have become more and more popular in India. Beyond the boundaries of traditional music, this genre frequently examines social and political subjects.

Hip-hop and rap: Hip-hop and Indian rap have been increasingly popular, especially with young people. Via their songs, musicians like Divine and Honey Singh discuss current social topics as well as personal experiences. This genre blends international hip-hop styles with regional languages and rhythms.

The styles of Indian music are defined by both the instruments used and the cultural context. Traditional instruments such as the Sitar, Tabla, Veena and Dhol are essential in creating the unique styles of Indian music. Meanwhile, modern music employs a mix of traditional and modern instruments, incorporating guitars, keyboards, and electronic beats.