Folk music is often seen as the traditional music of Punjab. It has catered to various types of occasions by having songs for every genre, be it on a happy note or a sad one.

The primary musical instruments used in Punjabi music includes Tumbi, Dhadd, Chimta, Algoze, Sarangi and so on, even though the folklore is vocal and can give the same essence without being accompanied by any musical instrument.

It is seen that Sufi music also has a lot of popularity in Punjabi music. Some such famed Sufi musicians and poets are Baba Farid, Shah Hussain, Mian Muhammad Baksh, Waris Shah and Qawwali.

People all over the world know of the famous Bhangra dance to go with the beats of the dhol in Punjabi folklore. For instance, no North Indian wedding is complete without the guests grooving to this kind of music. It is seen how depths of each emotion, which is otherwise subjective, is expressed beautifully through the lyrics of the songs.

The entirety of the Punjabi culture can be reflected by the varied variety of songs that they have. These songs cannot be translated, if done so then they lose their value and charm. Their purity lies in their rhythm, emotions and sweetness of the music. Even amongst themselves, they have different tunes from different parts of Punjab, of which ‘boli’ is popular all across the state. 

The songs of religion, cult and sacrament sang by the Punjabis are those which represent the mode of prayer and worship that is acceptable to all Punjabi communities alike. Some little aspects of Nature worship can still be seen from these songs, especially that which shows tree worship. The famous gurus like Guru Nanak, Guru Gobind Singh, Farid, Gopi Chand and so on are also eulogized through the songs.

The songs of rituals and ceremonies, too, describe those which the community as a whole culturally responds to. These are mostly sung in groups on various occasions. The wedding songs are the most interesting ones, they are subdivided as well.

When the girls come from their husband’s house to parents to attend the marriage of their brothers it is called ‘sohile’, the songs sung by the women accompanied by a dholaki a few days before the marriage – in the bridegroom’s house it is called ‘ghorian’, in the bride’s ‘suhag’. ‘Ghorian’ expresses what the ladies look forward to in the marriage while ‘suhag’ echoes the feelings of the Punjabi girl.

The songs that are sung during the departure of the girl to her husband’s home is known as ‘doli’ and they are generally very touching.

Love lyrics are the best part of the Punjabi folklore. From the ecstasy of the union to pangs of separation, all of it is expressed here. They vary from famous love stories like that of Heer Ranjha, Sohni Mahiwal and so on to genres like Tappe, Boliyan, Dhola, Kafiyan and so on.

Lohris are sung for children, which are a part of the folklore tradition.

Since Punjab has always been a frontier province involved in many battles, for centuries foreign attacks have affected the provinces. These have led to folk songs being sung with historical significances and the attitude of the community towards certain events has also been reflected through them. The movements of rebellion have also been referred to in some folk songs.