Published Paper Details:

This semi classical style of singing is referred to as Tappa by the Hindi speaking region, pronounced as Toppa in Bengal and Tappe in Punjabi language. The word Tappa derived from the Punjabi word Tappana meaning bouncing, swinging, jumping and hopping etc. There is no dispute regarding its meaning because people are well acquainted with its leaping, hopping, bouncing and swinging or moving up and down style. In Punjab, songs sung by people while driving their camels or pulling them with jerks on uneven roads are called Tappe. There is sufficient reason to believe that Shori Miyan only improvised zamzama taans in Tappas after borrowing the same from the people carrying goods and chattels on their camels back. When the camel moves, the rider on its back is bound to face jerks and suppleness in his journey and while singing automatically these jerks and unsmooth pushes were naturally evident in their songs which formed an integral part of a Tappa as one of its main characteristics