Gaana is a type of song in Tamil, Hindi or any other Indian language. It is music that is unique to Tamil culture and South India, initially originating from North Madras, Chennai. Gaana Bajana is used for singing during festivals or other occasions. The Gaana is started in death home side. It is similar to Rapping.
Contents
- Popularity
- Few gaana lists from Tamil cinema
- Some Real Format Of Tamil Gaana Songs In Tamil Cinema
- Some Tamil Gaana Albums And ArtistSingers
- References
It is characterised as a fastbeat song, with less emphasis on meaning, sung at a celebration. Initially, this was very popular with Indians from Chennai to relax while doing stressful work. It gained further popularity when a few songs were used in Tamil cinema. Though the song sung does have lighter meaning, there are a few unique signifiers of Gaana which include:
- It should not have more than 4–5 words per line.
- The words at the end of lines should be rhythmic.
- It must be sung at more than normal pace, so that words are not clear. This is mandatory for the lines containing some words.
- It should be accompanied by the beats of dappa or the metal sheets of a bus or train.
- It should be in 6
8 time signature.
Popularity
As it gained momentum in the Chennai culture, it became inevitable for the troop singers to sing some Gaana songs in any orchestras that were arranged for a wedding reception, an organized event, college cultural programs, like saarang, techofes, and even in the celebration of Ganesh chadurthi.
Students from most of the colleges in Chennai and surroundings will sing the gaana in the bus and train they use to commute to college from their home. They choose buses or trains because singing attracts the attention of 'the figures', a term used in Chennai for pretty girls, and they need the metal or windows of the vehicle to generate a beat.
A famous gaana Music Director is Deva, and recently the singer Ulaganathan became popular with the Chithiram Pesuthadi song. British Tamil artist M.I.A. popularized the style on her album Kala, particularly the songs "Boyz", "World Town," and "Bird Flu", mixing it with other styles of music in creative ways.