gam, the small frame drum kanjira, and the earthen pot ghatam. The Hindustani system generally employs the pair of kettle drums called tabla and occasionally the double-ended drum pakhavaja. Eighty percent of India's population still lives in villages, and although change is noticeable, many old traditions remain. Except in the tribal areas, men and women are usually segregated in song. Women's songs, often unaccompanied, are sung at weddings, childbirths, festivals, and during agricultural and household activities. Men's songs, often accompanied at least by percussion instruments, are connected with devotional practices, particular festivals, and work. In most regions specialist musicians perform for ritual, devotional, didactic, and entertainment purposes. These specialists include priests, religious mendicants, entertainers, storytellers, and theatrical troupes. The role of the village entertainer has died off in many parts of India by the spread of films, which have developed their own forms of music influenced both by traditional Indian and Western music. Classical music, however, remains largely free of these influences. ...
