Music of Mizoram

Music of Mizoram mainly comprises of both songs and musical instruments. The folk music occupies an eminent place among the traditional music of Mizoram. The folk songs of Mizoram can be broadly divided into ten types such as: Songs named after Tribes, Thiam hla & dawi hla (Invocation & Incantation), Dar Hla, Bawh Hla, Hlado, Puipun Hla, Lengzem Zai, Songs named after Tribes, Songs named after individuals, Songs named after modulation of the voice. The traditional music of Mizoram is usually accompanied with dance and drama.

The origin of music of Mizoram is a mystery story. Therefore, it is very difficult to chronologically arrange the sequences of the heritage of Mizoram Music. However, developments of some couplets can be traced between 1300 and 1400 AD during the establishment of Thantlang in Burma. B. Lalthangliana has stated that some of the folk songs that evolved during this period were Hla do (Chants of hunting); Dar Hla (songs on gong); Nauawih Hla (Cradle songs) and Bawh Hla (War chants). More songs were developed between late 15th and 17th Century AD.

A number of musical instruments accompany the folk songs of Mizoram. These musical instruments can be broadly classified into three categories: String instruments, Beating or Striking instruments and Wind instruments. Some of the String instruments are Tingtang, Lemlawi and Tuiumdar. Talhkhuang, Khuang and Dar, Bengbung, Seki are few Beating or Striking instruments. The popular Wind instruments are Hnahtum, Mautawtawrawl, Rawchhem, Tumphit, Phenglawng and Buhchangkuang.

To know more about Music of Mizoram, click on the following links:

• Mizoram Songs
• Musical Instruments