The music of Assam comprises various categories of folk and modern music, depicting its artistic base from the history of Assam music, from Assamese culture and its ancient traditions. Nowadays, starting from the late eighties, widespread artistes have modernized the music catering to local popular demand in Assam.
A straightforward distinctive of the original ethnic music of Assam is its plunging scale which differentiates it from the Mode-based or folk music (Raaga-based) forms from the rest of India’s music.
The Assamese tunes are organized in a pyramid, in contrast to the music of rest of India which is Meend based,such as the Bihu songs, besides languorous music of other forms in Assam.
The folklore of Princess Usha of Sonitpur, Assam and her cohort Chitralekha also enlighten us on the musical know-how of the Assamese women in music.
During the Vedic era, Assam was presented with Ragas and Dhrupad Shailee of the Indian Classical music. The specialists however, have categorised the classical Assamese music into two parts – Borgeet and Ojapali. The Assamese musicians of Borgeets, Sankardev and his disciple Madhavdev added versatility to music of Assam.
There are four types of music in Assam:
1. Devotional
2. Folk
3. Popular
4. Tribal
