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The Role of Music in Indian Youth Expression


What song did you listen to last night?

Was it a spiritual tune that burst your stress away, or one that made you feel loved?

From the heartfelt melodies of Arijit Singh to the vibrant beats of Diljit Dosanjh, India’s music is a beautiful blend of emotion and rhythm. 

But time is changing fast!

With global interactions and evolving tastes, today’s Indian youth are highly inclined to rap, hip-hop, and other modern music forms.

What Is Music To Indian Youth?

Music is not just a sound, but an emotion and an expression of feelings!

For Indian youth, music is no longer limited to Bollywood songs with dramatic tunes or classical ragas. It is now a powerful form of self-expression, identity, and even protest against society.

So, why does music play such a huge role in the lives of young Indians today?
To get the accurate answer to this question, you should read this piece of writing well.

Music as an Identity Of Existence

We all have that one playlist that we hide from anyone else and listen them on loop in different moods. The one that gets you through heartbreaks, late-night walks, or dance battles in your bedroom mirror?

That’s not just music, it is you!

Indian youth today use music as a mirror of their identity. Whether it is the loud rap of Divine echoing the struggles of the streets or the lo-fi indie tracks from artists like Anuv Jain that speak to our desi hearts in the same way that we like listening. 

Each of these genres tells a different story. They are not just listening, but relating, reflecting, and even creating.

From Listeners to Creators

One of the coolest revolutions in the Indian music space is how easily youth are becoming creators themselves. Thanks to YouTube, Instagram Reels, and music apps like Smule or Soundtrap, the barrier between artist and audience is fading with each passing day.

Got a smartphone and a soothing voice? 

Boom! 

Welcome to the music industry from the convenience of your home. You can be a singer, rapper, or beatboxer. 

Music is now a canvas for raw emotions, painted with regional languages, diverse genres, and unique sounds.

Rap: The Voice of Rebellion

Indian youth have adopted rap as a tool of rivalry and bold storytelling. Artists like Emiway Bantai, KR$NA, and Seedhe Maut have become voices for a generation that is tired of being told by society to “stay in line.”

In classrooms, metros, and chai shops, rap is becoming a common language for those questioning norms, challenging patriarchy, and speaking up about mental health, unemployment, and societal pressure.

It is not just music. It is a movement against society's norms that hurts humanity.

Dance and Music = Pure Freedom

Ever seen someone do a spontaneous bhangra when a good beat drops?
Or how Gen Z grooves to dance reels on trending songs like “Zinda Banda” or “Pasoori”?

Dance and music go hand in hand, especially for Indian youth. It is not always about performing on stage, but moving your body freely in your room when no one’s watching. That is emotional therapy right there!

For many, dancing to music is a release. It is how they fight anxiety, celebrate joy, or just break the monotony of daily life. It is like saying:
“I exist, I feel, and I’m alive!”

Global Vibes, Local Feels

What are you listening to these days?

K-pop? Afro-beats? Western trap? Must be one or all of them!

Indian youth love global music trends but with a twist. They are blending it with Indian styles to create something fresh. Think Tamil drill beats, Hindi-English fusion hooks, or Desi lo-fi that makes you cry and groove at the same time.

The recent art blend of Ed Shereen and Arijit just touched the hearts of many Indians. Everyone was going lala over it!

This cross-cultural mix is more than aesthetic. It shows that Indian youth are global citizens with desi souls. They absorb, adapt, and re-imagine music in ways that cross borders.

To Wrap Up

Music, for Indian youth today, is much more than entertainment!

It is our canvas to paint emotions, a gateway of expressions, a diary, a loudspeaker, a scrapbook of memories, and sometimes a revolution.

So, the next time someone asks, “What kind of music do you listen to?”

Just smile and say: " The kind that makes me feel something.”


- an article by Swapnil Baranwal

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