Jharkhand music is largely tribal in nature. It shares many points of commonality with the folk music of Bihar and the music of the neighboring districts of West Bengal with a wide tribal populace like Purulia and Bankura. Like most forms of tribal art, most of the music of Jharkhand is not merely entertainment, although that aspect always remains there, but have great ritualistic and social significance to it. Songs and dances both go hand in hand in Jharkhand musical art.

Jharkhand Tribal Music

Tribal music plays a very important role in the overall scenario of the music at Jharkhand. Some of the major forms of tribal songs from Jharkhand are: 

·  Dohari Domkach

·  Janani Jhumar

·  Jhumta

·  Pratkali

·  Daidhara

·  Mardana

·  Janani

·  Dohari Domkach 

Dances also feature prominently in Jharkhand musical art. Some of the major forms of dances in Jharkhand are:

• Natua

• Jadur

• Nachni

• Agni

• Ghatwari

• Jamda

The forms of tribal music in Jharkhand are absolutely indigenous and have continued in the same way for time immemorial. The musical instruments, the dancing steps, the vocal inflections all have their unique flavors. However it should be remembered that most of Jharkhand musical performances are group performances, since solo performances are virtually unknown within the tribal musical aesthetics.

Social Significance of Jharkhand Music

Jharkhand music does not always necessarily play the role that is purely entertainment. More often than not, they have some ritualistic and social significance attached to them. Sometime they commemorate some tribal incidence of tribal significance and sometime they provide social commentary. In fact, music has often acted as the voice of protest against oppression and has worked as important political tools. However, more often the themes are religious and draw from the mythological canon of tales and stories as subjects of representation.