High Culture : Ireland & India

1. High Culture: Ireland & India By Lexi Hodges

2. Music • Ireland • - Mainly dance musicwith hornpipes. • - The Polka became popular in the 19th century – several Irish dances are to this music – they’re usually played on the fiddle or button accordion. India - Carnatic and Hindustani music - Music began as a part of socio-religious life and is very emotional - Hindustani Music: 13th and 14th centuries came from existing religious and folk music. Obviously influenced by Hindu musical traditions but also by Persians - Carnatic Music: 15th – 16th centuries and is known as being a gift given to man by the gods of Hindu mythology. More about enjoyment vs. religion and emotion Sitar

3. Rock Ireland - 1960s was the beginning of major Irish rock bands – Them, Van Morrison, etc. – U2 is one of the newest ones - 1970 Dana put Ireland on pop music map which lead to the spread of Irish rock music - In the 80s and 90s Irish punk fractured into new styles of alternative rock - Use of Uileann pipes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4g9C3Bap0w • India • - Very small scene – started in 1960s • - Influenced The Beatles when they visited India - for example, “Norwegian Wood” which used the sitar • - Rock is known as Raga rock • - They use the sitar and tabla • - Most famous rock musician in the world – Freddie Mercury (originally FarrokhBomiBulsara) who is from Panchgani (near Mumbai) • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lY5i4-rWh44

4. Most known instruments Ireland Uilleann pipes Tin Whistle & Flute Fiddle Bodhrán & Bones Concertina (accordion) Harp Etc… India

5. dance Ireland India Bollywood is a known name for Indian dancing in movies It’s a mix of classical dance styles, dances of historic northern indian courtesans, or folk dances. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NdPGzIkqTM • Popularized in 1994 in Riverdance – rapid leg movements while body and arms are kept stationary • Divided into social dance & performance dances • Social dances: célil and set dancing • Set: 4 couples in a square • Cécil: 2-16 people http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFlFUy9N0-4

6. Festivals Ireland - Religious holidays: St. Partick’s Day, The Blessing of the Sea, St. Stephen’s Day - Others: Chalk Sunday, November Eve, Autumn Harvest Festival, etc. • India • - National holidays: Republic Day, Independence Day, & Mahatma Gandhi’s Birthday • Hindu Holidays

7. St. stephen’s day – “Hunting the Wren” • (December 26) Honors the 1st Christian martyr – stoned to death shortly after the Crucifixion – yet the celebration has little do with the Saint. • - “Hunting the Wren” – groups of small boys hunt the wren and either catch it or it dies of exhaustion then it’s tied to the top of a pole or holly bush which is decorated with colored paper. In the morning the boys carried it from house to house and they wore straw masks or blackened their faces, dressed in old clothes and sang a song. If people gave them money they received a feather from the wren for good luck. The money went to the Wren Boys and was used to hold a dance for the village.

8. Holi: festival of colours • Spring festival celebrated as a festival of colours, commemorates the slaying of the demonessHolika. Lasts about 2 days – rich & poor join together and no one expects polite behavior – atmosphere is full with fun & joy. • - People express their gratitude to each other by applying colorful powder.

9. Citations • http://www.irishtune.info/rhythm/ • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_India#Hindustani_music • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Ireland#Pop.2FRock • http://www.stmoroky.com/reviews/music/irinst.htm • http://www.sahajayogaportal.org/en/music-arts/indian-classical-music/instruments.html • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holi#Rituals • http://www.irishfestivals.net/festivals.htm • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_dance