Tamil Nadu is a state in southern India. Modern popular music in the region includes filmi and other varieties of Indian popular music.

Carnatic and Folk Music

Carnatic classical music has also had a long history in Tamil Nadu, which has produced a number of famous performers, as well as an associated kind of classical dance called Bharatha Natyam. Folk music in the region remains popular, especially in rural areas; elements

Folk instruments in Tamil Nadu include the sarangi. Traditional songs tend to use intricate talas and ancient classical ragas like Thodi and Sama.

The rural hill tribes of Tamil Nadu each have their own folk traditions. The Pulayar, for example, perform melodies called talams which are said to come from the cooing of birds. Each talam is named after a deity, including Kunhanada talam, Mangalanada talam and Karaganachi talam. Singaram are a kind of orchestra consisting of several percussion and other instruments.

Film Music

Tamil Cinema is well known for its prodigiously talented composers. Two of the most famous music directors of India, Ilayaraaja and AR Rahman are from Tamil Nadu. The music is usually a blend of Carnatic and Western instruments, although recent trends have invalidated the need for an orchestra and preference is given to synthesizers and other electronic instruments.

Kulavai is a kind of women's work song, known especially in Thanjavur. Passersby who notice the women's singing are greeted in a chorus, and customarily leave a small tip for the women.