| Gaana | |
|---|---|
| Stylistic origins | Tamil Sufi songs, siddhars of ancient Tamilakam, music of rural Tamil Nadu |
| Cultural origins | North Chennai |
| Other topics | |
| Tamil film music | |
Gaana (or Gānā) is a genre of Tamil music, which is sung in the Madras Bashai dialect of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.[1][2] It is rap-like "collection of rhythms, beats and sensibilities native to the Madras people."[2] It evolved over the past two centuries, with influences ranging from the siddhars (tantric adepts) of ancient Tamilakam to rural Tamil folk music to Tamil sufi mystics.[2] Its popularity rose when it was brought to the music of the mainstream Tamil film industry.[2] Contemporary gaana bands are bringing the genre to new audiences while using it for social activism, especially against caste discrimination.[2]
- ^ "'Gaana' Ulaganathan bags 3 more film offers". The Hindu. 2 April 2006. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
- ^ a b c d e Valan, Antony Arul (2020). "Gana (Gānā)". Keywords for India : A Conceptual Lexicon for the 21st Century. London: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc. pp. 83–84. ISBN 978-1-350-03927-8. OCLC 1134074309.