Music is a part of every cultural event in Punjabi folklore, and Tappa is one of the most
popular forms of vocal music in the Punjab. The origin of Tappa can be traced to very early times,
because we find a mention of the Tappa in ancient manuscripts. However it is
Mian Ghulam Nabi Shori who is credited for the creation of this style of singing.
He lived in the 19th century. Shori Mian gave the Tappa style a beauty and meaning
which the world of Hindustani Music acknowledges even today. In those days camel caravans
used to come down from the North West Frontier to Sindh and Punjab.
The gait of the camel is such that the riders would sing to suit the movement of
the camel in a lilting way. This evolved into the Tappa style of music.
From the Punjab the Tappa went to Delhi, Lucknow, Banaras and Gwalior, and has enriched the
classical and folk music of India. It is now famous and sung all over Northern India.

Jagir Singh lives in Hussainpur in the Doaba region of Punjab that lies between the River
Beas and Sutlej and belongs to a family of agriculturists. The dialect of Punjabi spoken in
Doaba is called "Doabi”. Having learnt Harmonium and Tabla from the age of 11, he went
on to become a gold medalist, performing at prestigious events and winning several
accolades.

The song you hear is a traditional Punjabi Folk Tappa with improvisations sung by Jagir Singh.
Instruments used in Punjabi folk music include the Tumbi, Dhol, Chimta, and Algoze.