Music in India has always been more than art—it is a sacred link between humans and the divine. From the Sāmaveda’s hymns set to melody to the detailed theories of the Nāṭyaśāstra and Saṅgītaratnākara, music shaped spiritual and cultural life. Temple rituals, court patronage, and devotional movements nurtured forms like Dhrupad, kīrtan, and qawwali. In modern times, cinema, fusion, and global collaborations carry this ancient tradition into a new era.

Read about the possible causes of division of religions into various sects after the death of their founders here.

One of the most popular Indian forms of music is Qawwali that has gone beyond all linguistic barriers and is now a globally acclaimed art.