CULTURE AND POPULAR MUSIC IN PUNJAB

Book Details:

• Author: Paramjit S. Judge

• Publisher: Rawat Publications

• Language: English

• Edition: 2024

• ISBN: 9788131613948

• Pages: 239

• Cover: Hardcover

About the Book

Punjabi popular music has broken through linguistic barriers in recent years, gaining immense popularity in both India and abroad. Several Punjabi singers have become household names, thanks to their fusion of traditional sounds with modern Western styles. However, despite these innovations, the cultural essence of Punjabi music remains rooted in its traditional forms, only refined over time.

This book presents a critical view of how Punjabi music continues to evolve, maintaining its cultural foundations while adapting to the mass consumption demands of the capitalist music industry. The author argues that modernity, shaped by capitalist production, does not necessarily render existing musical traditions obsolete; rather, it modifies them to appeal to a broader audience. Drawing on the themes of classic Punjabi epic romances like Heer-Ranjha and Mirza-Sahiban, the book explores how contemporary music continues to reflect these age-old narratives while refining their modes of representation.

Contents

1. Introduction

2. Caste and Religion as Reflection of Punjabi Society and Culture

3. Traditions of Music and Singing in Punjab

4. Love as Violence and Devotion

5. Punjabi Popular Music

6. Songs, Music and Singers

7. Women through Words and Music Videos

8. Masculinity and Two Forms of Love: All about Men's Songs

9. Inventing New Tradition of Singing: Moosewala Trapped in Jat Masculinity

10. Dalit Popular Music: Trapped in Jat Masculinity

About the Author

Paramjit S. Judge is a retired Professor of Sociology at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar. With over four decades of active social research, he has worked extensively in areas like social movements, political sociology of development, social exclusion, and diaspora studies. He is also a renowned Punjabi novelist and has served as the President of the Indian Sociological Society. Additionally, he was the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Fellow at the Indian Council of Social Sciences Research, New Delhi.