Monsoon melodies: How rain inspires Indian music across genres

India’s relationship with the monsoon is both intimate and intense. The arrival of rain after scorching summers brings not just relief, but an overwhelming sense of renewal—of life, love, and longing. It is little wonder then, that rain has become an enduring muse for Indian musicians, seeping into compositions across centuries and styles. Whether through the intricate improvisations of classical ragas or the rhythmic exuberance of Bollywood, the monsoon continues to inspire soundscapes as diverse as the land itself.

Classical echoes: ragas of rain

Indian classical music offers a rich archive of compositions devoted to the monsoon season. Ragas such as Megh Malhar, Miyan ki Malhar, and Gaud Malhar are crafted specifically to evoke the imagery and emotion of rainfall. Each carries a unique essence—some mimicking the gentle patter of drizzle, others mirroring the tempest of a thunderstorm. These ragas are traditionally performed during the monsoon months, and legend even suggests that powerful vocalists could summon rain with their renditions. The season’s arrival becomes not just a meteorological event, but a spiritual and emotional one, celebrated in the very notes of the tanpura and the voice of the singer.

From reel to real: rain in popular music

Bollywood and regional film industries have long used rain as a narrative and aesthetic device. From the black-and-white era of Raj Kapoor’s Pyaar Hua Iqraar Hua to the modern-day sensuality of Tip Tip Barsa Paani, the monsoon often signals emotional turning points in Indian cinema—be it romance, yearning, or transformation.

Rain sequences in songs heighten drama, evoke nostalgia, and visually symbolise internal storms. Even Indian indie and folk-pop artists draw from this cultural reservoir, producing monsoon-inspired albums that blend traditional rhythms with electronic or acoustic elements, making rain a metaphor for both inner and outer worlds.

In India, the monsoon is not just weather—it is poetry, mood, and memory. Through every raga, beat, and ballad, rain continues to inspire a musical journey that reflects the soul of a nation eternally in tune with the skies.