This book explores ten traditions of folk music that have long preserved some of the many voices and diverse cultures across India. From the evocative ballads of Kashmir to the soulful rhythms of Bengal, each tradition is shaped by the region where it originated and the challenges and joys of the singers. These traditions are:

The Bidesia of Bihar
The Gathas and Kathas of Rajasthan
The Ladishah Ballads of Kashmir
The Nizami Qawwali of Dilli
The Pandavani of Chhattisgarh
The Kabir Vaani of Kutch
The Janapadas of Karnataka
The Lavani of Maharashtra
The Li of the Chakhesang Nagas

The Bhatiyali of Bengal Mamta Nainy explores the origins of these musical forms, and their evolution in the face of modernity, highlighting their power as a means of collective expression.