Glossary / Indian music

Internet speak

Lyrical video

A lyrical video is a video that shows a song's lyrics on screen as it plays, the Indian music industry's go-to first video for a new song.

Also called: lyric video, lyrics video

By Aulto · Last reviewed

Why are lyrical videos so common in India?

They're quick and affordable to make, they let listeners learn and sing the words, and they work for every language. Film songs often get a lyrical video first and the full video song later.

Lyrical video or "lyric video"?

The same thing. "Lyrical video" is the term used across Indian labels and YouTube channels.

What makes one work?

Lyrics that are easy to read on a phone, in the script your listeners use, timed exactly to the song.

Example

A Tamil film releases each song as a lyrical video on YouTube weeks before the film, then the video songs after release.

  • Devotional music

    Devotional music is music made for worship and spiritual listening, like bhajans, aartis, kirtans and mantras, and it is one of India's largest music categories.

  • Regional language release

    A regional language release is music in one of India's many languages, such as Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali, Marathi or Punjabi, released to reach listeners in that language.

  • Caller tune

    A caller tune (CRBT, caller ring back tune) is a song people hear instead of the ringing sound when they call someone, set by the person being called.

  • Non-film music

    Non-film music is Indian music made outside the film industry, such as indie, pop, rap and singles released on their own, rather than songs written for films.

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