Folk Singing and Cultural Topics: A Study of Structure and Semantics

Muhammad Imran

The folk song continues to receive a lot of attention in studies on traditional music. This is not because it has pure artistic and aesthetic values or broad philosophical dimensions. Rather, because of its continuing presence and integral role in society and culture on the one hand, and because it is an activity that reveals the role that individuals and groups play in society on the other.

Moreover, there is consensus in contemporary folkloric studies that studying this type of singing aims to not only understand its artistic qualities, but to also reveal the social activities that it manifests in. This is because many forms and melodic structures of folk singing could not have risen in traditional folk life if not through social practices. Therefore, the folkloric singing to which I refer is created and accepted by the general public at various occasions and social gatherings. 

The heritage of folk songs is constantly developing and improving due to the presence of multiple resources. Furthermore, one needs no qualifications to perform it; it has become the property of all individuals who adhere to various social occasions and events without breaking their traditions.

This study aims to answer the following questions: What criteria do people use to define folk singing in their society? Why does poetry play a vital role in singing? And which keeps the other alive? What role does poetry play in singing in comparison to the accompanying melodies? Which has a prominent position in singing, particularly in terms of functions and goals?