Gaana

It is characterised as a fastbeat song, with less emphasis on meaning, sung at a celebration. Initially, this was very popular with Indians from Chennai to relax while doing stressful work. It gained further popularity when a few songs were used in Tamil cinema.

Students from most of the colleges in Chennai and surroundings will sing the gaana in the bus and train they use to commute to college from their home. They choose buses or trains because singing attracts the attention of 'the figures', a term used in Chennai for pretty girls, and they need the metal or windows of the vehicle to generate a beat.

Though the song sung does have lighter meaning, there are a few unique signifiers of Gaana which include:

It should not have more than 4–5 words per line.

The words at the end of lines should be rhythmic.

It must be sung at more than normal pace, so that words are not clear. This is mandatory for the lines containing some words.

It should be accompanied by the beats of dappa or the metal sheets of a bus or train.

It should be in 6 8 time signature.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rgaP56NV4M

They often use an urumi drum:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iYgrWx-rO8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDVybAETue0