Indian Musical Traditions

Indo-Caribbean communities maintain distinct musical traditions while contributing to general soundscape:

Tassa Drumming

Fast-paced percussion accompanying Hindu festivals and weddings: - Clay drums requiring special preparation - Rhythms encoding religious narratives - Competitive drumming between groups - Young Indo-Caribbeans creating tassa fusion

"Tassa connects us to India while expressing Caribbean energy," explains drummer Ravi Rampersad. "The rhythms came from Bihar, but the style is purely Caribbean."

Chutney Music

Blend of Indian folk and Caribbean rhythms: - Hindi/Bhojpuri lyrics with soca beats - Electronic instruments mixing with traditional ones - Dance combining Indian classical with Caribbean wine - Generational tensions over propriety

"My grandmother scandalized by how we dance to chutney," admits Anita Ramkissoon. "But culture must evolve. We're not Indians in the Caribbean—we're Caribbean Indians."