Music of the Indo-Pakistan subcontinent is a heritage that evolved through centuries as a blend of ritualistic, folk and cultural expression of the region. It represents music of different genres, classical at one extreme, and at the other, many musical genres of different regions reflecting the diversity of life style. Film music adopted a different approach and changed with time.

Music has a very long, unbroken tradition - the accumulated heritage of centuries. One of the strongest and most significant influences has perhaps been that of Islam (and of Persian music); a few centuries of Muslim invasion and rule brought in its wake a changed perspective in the style of music. Not being part of the religious ritual it was necessarily fostered outside the places of worship; hence an element of physical pleasure, particularly of the courtier, became predominant.

Classical and traditional music developed ground roots through the generations. Film music adopted a different approach and changed with time. There were great musicians, instrument players, singers, lyricists, singers, and music directors. Their work lives today in the audio archives of Sangeet Mahal.