Abstract
A look at the origins of Indian culture with emphasis on Indian music and dance. The author examines the roots of music and dance from legends, myths and ancient scripts and provides an understanding of the historical foundation of Indian music and dance.

From the Paper
"The history of Indian music and dance is one of the oldest unbroken artistic traditions in the world. It is said that the origins of this system go back to the Vedas, the ancient scripts of the Hindus. Numerous legends have grown up concerning the origins and development of Indian classical music and dance. Such legends illustrate the importance both that music and dance have had in defining Indian culture, especially from a religious perspective. This investigation is meant to explore the historical foundation of Indian music to ascertain a better understanding of the classical form."

Tags:continent, india, sub

Abstract
This paper examines the importance of music and dance in the extremely successful film industry in India. It explains that because Indian films are made predominantly for semi-literate audiences, they contain numerous action scenes (fights), elaborate song and dance sequences, a fair dose of slapstick comedy and an obligatory love story. This paper discusses why this industry is so successful and the role music and dance play in its success.

From the Paper
"In its historical development, India's film industry paralleled that of the West. Dadasaheb Phalke's Raja Harishchandra, the first silent film for popular consumption, appeared in 1913; Alam Ara, the first "talkie," was released in 1931. But the Indian cinema derived its unique flavor from the older Indian musical theater-particularly from the Urdu poetic dramas of the late nineteenth century. The influence of this tradition ensured that Indian movies would favor mythological or legendary-historical stories, that their dialogue would carry an Urdu flavor even in languages other than Urdu, and that every film would be a musical."

Tags:bollywood, cinema

Abstract
This paper compares Indian Hinduism (Sabha Mandir) to Guyanese Hinduism (Ram Mandir) by conducting research and by attending two different mosques that practice one or the other of the two major Hindu branches of worship. Specifically, the paper looks at the differing types of worship, temple style, music, the utilization and presentation of priests, the types of followers, the rituals performed, the language, the role of gender, the role of children (their involvement in the two branches of Hinduism) and the food and dance associated with each branch. The main thesis of this paper is that there is very little separating the two branches of the Hindu faith: the sabha mandir branch appears to emphasize different rituals like Homa and Pravachan than does the Ram mandir branch and the ideal architecture for the site of worship is different, but the two are characterized more by their similarities than by their differences.

From the Paper
"This essay compares Indian Hinduism (Sabha Mandir) to Guyanese Hinduism (Ram Mandir) by conducting research and by attending two different mosques that practice one or the other of the two major Hindu branches of worship. Specifically, the paper looks at the differing types of worship, temple style, music, the utilization and presentation of priests, the types of followers, the rituals performed, the language, the role of gender, the role of children (their involvement in the two branches of Hinduism) and the food and dance associated with each branch. The main thesis of this paper, as I discerned it, is that there is very little separating the two..."

Tags:indian, hinduism, guyanese

Abstract
The paper relates that in Trinidad, a country far from India, the largest ethnic population group is of Indian descent. The paper describes the history of the influx of Indians to Trinidad. The paper discusses how the Indians brought with them strong traditions of song, dance, music, food and religious practices that they continue to adhere to today.

From the Paper
"The tiny two-island nation of Trinidad and Tobago is nearly as far physically removed from India as any nation can be. Yet surprisingly, the largest ethnic population group in Trinidad is of [East] Indian descent. ("Trinidad and Tobago 2006") Having traveled literally half way around the world, and rising from indentured servitude to freedom, the Indians of Trinidad overcame crushing obstacles to transplant their culture largely intact on this Caribbean island. (Manas) They are, as writer V. S. Niapaul describes, East Indians from the West Indies. (Review) They have brought with them much of their culture, music, cuisine, and religion and customs. Their ability to do this has allowed them to become one of the dominating forces in Trinidad, carving out and sustaining a space which they held as their own. This space is reflected in the names given to many of the streets in the towns of Trinidad and to many of the major civic monuments. (Manas)"

Tags:culture, religion, customs, cuisine, identity, Caribbean, island, Hinduism

Abstract
This paper examines both what the Sioux cultures were like before European contact as well as what that culture has evolved into. The paper focuses on the music of this people set within a broader artistic and cultural and even political context. The paper is broken down into four chapters: An introduction into the Sioux people, their musical instruments, the songs of the people, and finally a larger cultural context. The final section of this paper examines the Sun Dance and the Ghost Dance as the two most important single types of musical performance.

From the Paper
"Traditional Sioux of the last century - or the centuries before - would have found the entire idea of putting on their best clothes and going to a concert hall to listen - as relatively passive observers - to a musical performance extremely odd. For them, as for other native peoples of the Americas (and arguably other native peoples throughout the world before the onset of industrialization) music was something that was integrated into the fabric of ritual and everyday life."

Tags:native, culture, tradition, politics, colony, dance

Abstract
This paper describes, with examples from interviews, how the children of south Asian immigrants are torn in two directions by the Western culture surrounding them outside the home and the Indian culture in which their parents raise them. The author explains how these fractured identities resist classification as just Indian or just Western and have found expression in a vague combination of the two. One form of this expression has been the evolution of a new genre of music, known as bhangra remix, which contains both Western and Indian elements. The author discusses how this combination reflects the presence of both types of elements in the identities of this group of second generation south Asian teenagers.

From the Paper
"In order to explore the relationship between bhangra remix and these second generation south Asian teenagers, I used a variety of sources, both secondary and primary. Primary sources were participant observation of a party thrown by the kids of south Asian immigrants to America and interviews with some of the participants. All the interviewed people were second generation south Asian teenagers. Secondary sources were a variety of articles written by scholars regarding the subject."

Tags:authenticity, Hindu, ostracized, amalgamation, traditional, electronic, beat, dancing, style

Abstract
This paper begins with an explaination of some of the history of Carnatic or Karnatak music and explores how it has evolved. It provides detailed descriptions of the main instruments and song types. The final section provides short biographies of the three most influential Carnatic composers.

From the Paper
"Music, in general, began in primitive times (hundreds of thousands of years ago). People living during this time period were hunter-gatherers and they used music and dance as a way to express emotion. The oldest songs consisted of words sung using a single pitch and gradually evolved to have a few (two or three) notes (Prajnanananda, 1963, p. 83). These ancient people had few instruments. They had flutes and lutes made from wood, bamboo, or bone as well as clay or wooden drums (Prajnanananda, 1963, p. 85). "

Tags:karnatak, music, dance

Abstract
The paper looks at ancient Japanese music, including the type of music known as Noo and the n mai dance drama. The paper identifies several different instruments that make up the music of traditional Japanese dance dramas and early court music and shows how Japanese music represents many changes in Japanese culture. Finally, the paper examines modern Japanese music and how karaoke may be one of the most enduring contributions Japan has made to modern music around the world.

Outline:
Ancient Japanese Music
Noo (Sometimes Called Noh)
Nomai Dance Drama
Japanese Musical Instruments
Japanese Music and Culture
Modern Japanese Music

From the Paper
"During the court music phase, several key instruments played a part in the orchestra. These included huge dadaiko drums played with large beaters, combined with smaller drums, gongs, and other drums, along with wind instruments like flutes and mouth organs, and stringed instruments, like lutes and the koto, noted below. Each of these instruments combined to create strong, often heavy rhythms that helped create the movement and performance of the dancers in their roles.
"By the fourteenth century, (the Kamakura period), musical performances became more attractive. Buddhist chanting became popular, and so did theatrical arts, such as lyrical dancing. Author Malm notes, "In general, the music of the Kamakura period is marked by a new emphasis on vocal and dramatic music" (Malm, 2000, p. 37). During this long history of development of the arts, several musical styles and performances began to develop and mature. During this time, Japan was changing from a dynasty culture to a feudalistic society led by the Shogun class, so as Japan's culture was evolving, their music was evolving as well, indicating how these two aspects of Japanese history go hand in hand.
"Then came a period of religious music, mostly Shinto and Buddhist, which included chanting and dramatic dance, which helped form the lyrical dance dramas that became so popular in the country. This religious phase indicates how music was changing as the country's culture changed and grew, and illustrates how the country's leadership influences were changing, as well."

Tags:nomai, Noo, karaoke, dance

Abstract
The paper looks at the movie "Devdas", a movie about love and the hardships it brings that is based on a much-loved Bengali novella by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay. The paper explains that the movie is about a couple which falls in love but which cannot be together and two of Indian's favorite actors/stars Shahrukh Khan as Devdas, Aishwarya Rai as Paro play the main roles. The paper relates that in the classic Indian movie tradition, this is a period piece with lots of music, dance and wonderful costumes.

From the Paper
"The movie "Devdas" is a movie about love and the hardships it brings. This 2002 remake (of which have been several since 1928) is based on a much-loved Bengali novella by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay. The movie is about a couple which falls in love but which cannot be together and two of Indian's favorite actors/stars Shahrukh Khan as Devdas, Aishwarya Rai as Paro play the main roles. In the classic Indian movie tradition, this is a period piece with lots of music, dance and wonderful costumes. This film is an expensive Bollywood epic full of glitz and glamour that some viewers may even find somewhat tacky particularly since it is a relatively simple..."

Tags:devdas, review, bollywood