The Sound of Diaspora: The Evolution and Transformation of Indo-Caribbean Music

Abstract

Traditional North-Indian music has played a crucial role in creating a distinct identity for Indians in the Caribbean since the arrival of the first indentured migrants in 1838. The use of socio-cultural and political elements to connect with the homeland is one of the important features of Indo-Caribbean music. ‘Creolisation’ is indisputable in Caribbean music, which was a result of merging Indian music with local Caribbean music, giving rise to different styles of music, i.e., Baithak Gana, Chutney, and Chutney Soca. This article examines diasporic metamorphoses as a means to understanding how immigrants from India asserted their ethnic identity through such metrics of music. One of the important findings of this research shows that Indians in the Caribbean tried to keep Hindustani music alive despite constant changes taking place in the field as a result of globalisation.