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Blog #6, Tanveer Hossian Chodhury
The songs that punctuate Hindi films and provide them lots of their terrific worldwide attraction are particularly enormous websites in the cinema’s try to deal with challenges to regular buildings of authority. Focusing on mind-blowing moments of non‐narrative – and often explicitly erotic – pleasure, such songs proffer utopian eventualities within which the tensions raised by means of the narratives of kinship in disaster that dominate Hindi film are emolliated. It is the moments of melodic fantasy embedded in Hindi film, the tune and dance routines which provide these condensed pics of reconciliation, that predominantly working classification youths in Britain appropriate in order to categorical the conflicting hopes and fears that symbolize their very own cosmopolitan identities. In this article, I talk about two of the most essential instances of remix culture in Britain over the closing decade in order to provide a retrospective take on the uses of Hindi‐language movie through second‐generation Asian young people.
Since I have human beings in my household who speak exclusive languages so I grew up listening to Urdu language, which is a very important section of Indian Sufi songs and the instruments they use in this kind of song is very historic and unique. It reminds me about my subculture and roots. Over the duration of closing a few many years Hindi tunes have made some huge adjustments but nothing used to be capable of exchanging this vogue of music.
Blog 8, Kim
The Killers penned this song for the victims of the Las Vegas shooting that left 58 people dead. The front man Brandon Flowers writes of how shocked he was hearing of the news, then about the Sandy Hook shooting, and Parkland, that mass shootings in the United States were far too common, and becoming a new norm-to the point most aren’t shocked by such news anymore. He kept pushing off writing the song down after each shooting, but he felt enough was enough, and released it in 2017 in response to the government’s weak response to trying to prevent such tragedies from happening again. The song is of the alternative/indie genre, and it isn’t a political genre, no music genre is actually. It’s the lyrics and the meaning that makes a song political in someone’s eyes.
Listeners would also put their own spin on the song, mostly due to the political shift due to the 2016 election and onwards, that created a much more noticeable divide between the American people. The lyrics “We’ve got a problem with guns…who just want the same things we do” showcases the message that both facts that we can all agree, hardly anything has changed in the “land of the free”. Every month, every year, we have mass shootings at schools, anywhere, immigrants are turned away at the border “wall” when all they want is a life we all look forward to, and racism, all are topics that are at least touched upon in the duration of the song. It is markedly a useful song for political protest, mostly due to the riveting lyrics and the piano’s dynamic, that bring harmony together with the background gospel choir.
Blog 7 Felorian
The Mevlevi as shown in “The Mevlevi Sema Ceremony”, is a dance that is part of the mystical Sufi tradition of Islam. The role that music plays within the Sema ceremony, is that it symbolizes the soul’s journey to g-d. This is demonstrated with many formal sections. Since it is a slow dance of graceful and ecstatic turning, it has a calming effect on the listener’s body and mind. It is a time where one can forget about any stress they are experiencing and focus on their unity with g-d. It can also bring them to a place of positivity due to the instruments that are used. There are two parts of the Sema ceremony. The first one called Taksim, uses a flute to outline a scale used in the rest of the ceremony. The second one is called Pesrev, which uses string instruments, drum, and cymbal. These instruments can excite the listener, and they are able to celebrate their joy.
On the other hand, Kol Nidrei is a traditional prayer performed in the synagogue on Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year for Jews because that is when they get to ask for forgiveness for everything they have done in the past year, and to wish for a better year ahead. The melody was used as a theme by many composers since the nineteenth century. The role that this music plays is to bring everyone to a peace of mind, and to ask for forgiveness for all the promises one said they can keep but failed to do so. This music has an intense effect on the listener’s body and mind, because it reminds them that there is a higher power always watching, and it serves as a wake up call on their actions in the future. That can be with them and g-d, or them and other people. Sometimes there is also a solo chanter, choir, and organ to accompany the music.
These traditions share some similarities and differences. There were two similarities which I found. The first one is that each music helps unite the person to g-d or to each other. The Mevlevi is played with instruments, and has dancers depending on each other to make the overall performance look smooth and in unison. And in Kol Nidrei, the people are asking for forgiveness from g-d and everyone surrounding them while sometimes with instruments in the background. The second similarity based on the “Mevlevi Slides PDF Version”, is that they both have to do with the soul’s journey to g-d. Each religion wants to return to g-d with a clean slate so they can go straight to heaven without experiencing any punishments. Both of these songs help aid their thoughts and actions to get to that point. However, there were also two differences which I found. First, is that Mevlevi is obviously a dance. Kol Nidrei is not, and it is usually sung while standing in place. Second, Kol Nidrei is also considered a prayer. It is a prayer that at times is not sung, and instead said to one self silently. There is also a tradition that goes along with it which includes throwing pieces of bread into a river, symbolizing one’s sins being washed away. The Mevlevi does not have that message and tradition attached to it.
Blog 8 Felorian
A popular political protest song I chose to write about is “Imagine” by John Lennon. The political purpose of this song was that we as a society can achieve peace in the world if we imagine it. A way in which listeners added their own political purpose to it, is that every listener is from a different country around the world. Bringing a mix of backgrounds can ironically unite everyone since peace is a factor we all want in our lives, no matter where we are from. This song falls under the category of rock music for genre. It also has some aspect of blues, since it has augmented chord changes, and sudden shifts in musical direction. One stanza of lyrics that stood out to me was the following:
“You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will live as one”
This stanza refers back to the idea of peace. John Lennon is trying to explain how positive thinking and determination can make a political change. If we can imagine a new world, we can achieve it. There are so many different religions and countries that can blur out this concept (similarly to how the music video began), but that is exactly why we need everyone’s contribution. He as a singer has a role of authority to write this song since the ex-Beatle would work with leading figures of the British Left, including Tariq Ali, who interviewed him for the influential Marxist magazine Red Mole. The first musical characteristic I realized was the rhythm. Throughout the song there is a steady beat that is heard. The measures have a group of strong beats, and the tempo is played with two beats in measure.
Blog # 5, Tanveer H Chowdhury
I had most comfortable feeling with Indian classical concert. Indian classical music can be followed to the centuries driving up to the Natya Shastra original copy which is the most punctual Sanskrit archive that portrays performing expressions. The primary compilation of the Nāṭya Śāstra, composed as a fifth Veda, is dated around 200 BCE, and it portrays move, music and scholarly conventions in India. By the 16th century, the classical music of the Indian subcontinent inevitably had part into two conventions: Hindustani (North Indian classical music) and Carnatic (South Indian classical music). Be that as it may, the two frameworks tended to share more common highlights instead of contrast from one other totally.
I was feeling very uncomfortable with live jazz performance. It was very hard to understand the whole concept of the concert. it was not easy to be connected to this concert. since everyone was playing their instrument loudly it was tough to distinguish the difference between the sounds.
In live concert different people have their own different preferences. I liked Indian Classical concert because those instrument were very familiar to to and their sound as well. The singer was trying to explain and focus on a certain topic which she made even more clear with the sound of the instruments and facial expression. In a concert I want connect myself with the performer to understand the concept in large extent.
Blog 8, Yi
“This Land Is Your Land” written and sung by Woody Guthri was created as a response to the song “God Bless America” by Irving Berlin to show that that song was unrealistic. It was written to protest against the unrealistic things mentioned that normal people living could not achieve during the Great Depression and the reality of the poor people. Some listeners thought that the song was a Marxist response to “God Bless America”, while others thought it was just another national anthem. “This Land Is Your Land” is a piece under folk music. Folk music itself is not political, however, it played an influential and significant part in political issues.
Some parts of the lyrics that are relevant to the political message of the music are “There was a big high wall there that tried to stop me. The sign was painted, said: ‘Private Property.’ But on the backside, it didn’t say nothing. This land was made for you and me.” and “One bright sunny morning in the shadow of the steeple, by the relief office I saw my people; as they stood there hungry, I stood there wondering if God blessed America for me?” The first part of the lyrics is like an exposure of the rich and how America is made up more of wealthy people with private property and land rather than normally living people. The second part of the lyrics is showing how poor people are to the point where they do not have enough food to eat and depend on the government for help. Woody Guthri’s lyrics are showing the realistic sides of how America actually is that he believed were not seen in “God Bless America”.
One musical characteristic of the piece that makes it a useful tool for political protest is the melody. Listening to the melody, one would not think of this song to be of political protest. The melody is surprisingly calm and nice to the ears to listen to. That unexpected melody is useful for political protest because it is something people would not expect, so that could lead them to listen to it more.
Blog 8, Kutner
M.I.A created the 2012 pop song, “Bad Girls” as a dedication to the “women to drive movement,” which was a movement dedicated to help Saudi women get the right to drive as it was illegal for all Saudi-an women. Most listeners agreed with the message that M.I.A was trying to convey, as they saw this as a pressing issue for women’s rights in the Saudian culture. However, there were many who did not agree with her point she was trying to make, as they thought only men should be the drivers as it’s not appropriate for women in Sudia to do so. Many critics criticized M.I.A for confronting the women’s rights issues in Saudia, as well as having women wearing hijabs driving cars in the music video, which was strictly forbidden. M.I.A was also accused of portraying Arabic stereotypes in the music video as the video portrays the Arabic culture.
“Bad girls” is considered to be apart of several genres, including World-beat, Contemporary R&B, Dance/Electronic. Being considered a piece of popular music, I don’t think music in this genre is necessarily political. A lot of pop songs are created as more catchy, “feel-good” songs, that usually don’t carry strong political messages. However, I think more artists nowadays are using the power of music as a way to create change, and I think more songs in the pop genre are conveying political messages.
Some lyrics are:
Live fast, die young
Bad girls do it well
Hands up, hands tied
Don’t go screaming if I blow you with a bang
I’m coming in the Cherokee
Gasoline
There’s steam on the window screen
Take it, take it
World’s bouncing like a trampoline
When I get to where I’m going, gonna have you trembling
When I get to where I’m going, gonna have you saying it
Lookin’ in the rear view, swaggin’ goin’ swell
Shift gear, automatic, damned if I do
Who’s gonna stop me when I’m coming through?
Don’t go screaming if I blow you with a bang
These strong lyrics show that women have to take charge in the fight for their rights, and that the Sudian culture should allow it. It mentions how Suadi Arabian women are being murdered for driving, as stated “leavin’ boys behind ’cause it’s legal just to kill.” Overall the lyrics are portraying women as empowered beings who need to take charge for what is right. Additionally, in the music video, the people sitting in the drivers’ seats for close-ups are all women, to help convey this message. These women are considered “bad girls” for going against the rules, however they were doing what was needed to be done for their deserved rights.
One musical characteristic that stood out to me right away was the rhythm. The whole song in general has very Middle Eastern and Indian sounds. The song starts out right away with a dupal beat that sets the tone for the rest of the song. More beats are then added into the song, with a medium tempo throughout. There is also the unique timbre of the instruments throughout the song that gives off the Middle Eastern sounds. This is appropriate due to the fact that it was unique for Middle Eastern women to be speaking out for their rights and demand for what they deserved. M.I.A really encompased Middle Eastern women and their needs in her music, and used it to fight for what was right.
Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uYs0gJD-LE
Blog 8, Kotkes
I chose the song “We are the World” by U.S.A for Africa which was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie and produced by Quincy JOnes and Michael Omartian . This song was created to help raise awareness for the famine going on in Africa. There was a political change needed to stop the people from dying in Africa from the terrible famine in 1983-1985. The song’s purpose was for people to persuade their governments to participate in the relief effort in Ethiopia,Africa. I think listeners of the song definitely were made more aware of the struggles of the famine that Africa was going through.The musical genre that “We are the World” would be part of is rock. But, many people do not accept this song as a piece of rock music.
The beginning of the song consists of these words:
“There are people dying
Oh, and it’s time to lend a hand to life
The greatest gift of all
We can’t go on
Pretending day-by-day
That someone, somewhere soon make a change
We’re all a part of God’s great big family
And the truth, you know, love is all we need”
These words are raising awareness to the people and to the politicians. We cannot live life and assume Africa will be taken care of. We need to fight for Africa and help collect the funds for relief from the government.
One musical characteristic of the piece of music is the individuality of the singers in the song. There are about 21 soloists in this song. Each of them sings a solo which shows the individuality of the singers. It is showing that every person, individually, must make this choice and care about this situation in order for a change to be made. It also shows that every individual can be responsible for a change.
Blog 7, Ferreira
A Sema Ceremony symbolizes stages on the passage to God with rules along the way that “ultimately leads to a mystical ascent to God’s Side”. This is a Mevlevi tradition filled with its music and the culture, it is the Mevlevi worship ceremony. They use usul rhythmic patterns in the music that can aid memory and provide a sonic map of rhythmic progress during the cycle. The music is meant to engage the listener and guide them on their path as they are following along, this music helps them connect with God on a spiritual level.
Amazing Grace is a Christian hymn and Is the “ultimate musical testament to the Christian doctrine of salvation”. This is Christian usually sung at a mass or a funeral for a catholic event. It is sung usually after something has passed and is a sign of overcoming a struggle or hard time. Like most catholic worship music it has a simple melody and one voice singing the lyrics, the lyrics are usually the most effective part of this song that the listeners resonate with. Both the Mevlevi songs and Amazing grace are played for religious purposes and on a path with God. Amazing Grace is a very melodic piece with lyrics and the soundscape consists of (usually) a piano and a voice singing the melody. Unlike Amazing Grace, the Naat-i-Sherif piece started with a kind of dissonant sound of a flute, soon after comes in more instruments and there are no lyrics in the piece. A major difference usually between western art music and maqam can be told by the distance between pitches: “maqam uses intervals that are both smaller and larger than the half- and whole-steps of the Western system”. Throughout this, I learned that music plays a role in deepening the connection between the person practices their religion and deepen their spiritual connection to their actions.
Blog 7, Kushmakova
“The Mevlevi are a sub-order of Sufism, the mystical branch of Islam… The Mevlevi place a strong emphasis on music, which sends the practitioner’s physical body into a slow dance of graceful and ecstatic turning” (Textbook, page 315). Music is a large part of the people’s traditions. It is also said that the Sema ceremony is very symolbi and allows one’s soul to have a passageway to god. This is one effect that the music has on the listeners body. Another effect would be that as they dance to the music they believe that they are receiving a blessing from god. Also, stated in the powerpoint that the music allows union with god which is why the music is a great impact to the people.
In relation to Gospel music, such as Amazing Grace; music is also very significant. The textbook states that the “melody and message of personal transformation” (page 288) is what the music is trying for the listener to achieve. The similarity between the two music pieces is that they have a strong personal connection to each listener. However, they do have their differences as well. One difference being the way the music is let out to the individuals. The Gospel music was sung by the vocalist while the Sema Ceremony had a lot of instruments and also in the video it showed the people dancing. So, the ceremony had a traditional dance to go along with it while gospel music usually does not.
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