Cuba’s contribution to the world music scene is as varied as it is significant. Afro-Cuban Jazz (also known as Cubop), Mambo, and Salsa are most notable. 

The music of Cuba, including its instruments, performance and dance, comprises a large set of unique traditions influenced mostly by west African and European (especially Spanish) music. Due to the syncretic nature of most of its genres, Cuban music is often considered one of the richest and most influential regional musics of the world.

Cuban culture encompasses a wide range of dance forms. The island’s indigenous people performed rituals known as areíto, which included dancing, although little information is known about such ceremonies.

 

DANZÓN

Danzón is the official music and dance of Cuba and dates back to the late 1800s. Danzón isn’t just an important root of music and dance in Cuban culture – it’s an important basis for world music in general.

TROVA

Trova is an important part of the foundation of Cuban music and dates back to the 19^th century when roaming musicians called trovadores earned their living by singing and playing guitar.

RUMBA

Rumba represents Cuba’s African influences, and is one of Cuba’s most celebrated forms of music and dance. The genre is energetic and soulful, using conga drums, claves, maracas, scrapers and bells.

AFRO-CUBAN JAZZ AND CUBOP

Afro-Cuban Jazz and American Jazz have always had strong ties. Early on, close connections between New Orleans jazz musicians and Cuban musicians led to a fascinating cross-pollination of genres and influences.

TIMBA AND SALSA

Salsa dancing originated in New York in the 1970s, and incorporated elements of mambo, cha-cha-chá, swing and hustle, as well as Afro-Caribbean and Afro-Cuban dance styles. But even though salsa dancing technically comes from New York, no one as is famous for it as the Cuban people.

Timba and is derived from the same roots as salsa, and describes modern, popular dance music in Cuba. Timba is more heavily influenced by Afro-Cuban musical genres, while Salsa’s influences are Son Cubano and Conjunto. Timba is particularly associated with Havana.

 

MAMBO AND CHA-CHA-CHÁ

The word mambo means “conversation with the gods” in Kikongo, the language of Central African slaves who were brought to Cuba. Mambo as a music and dance genre developed in Cuba in the late 1930s, combining danzón with traditional African rhythms.

G. PavithaSri

B.Sc Psychology

 

The music and dance styles of Bangladesh may be divided into three categories: classical, folk, and modern.

The classical style has been influenced by other prevalent classical forms of music and dances of the Indian subcontinent, and accordingly show some influenced dance forms like Bharata Natyam and Kuchipudi.

The folk and tribal music and dance forms of Bangladesh are of indigenous origin and rooted to the soil of Bangladesh. Several dancing styles in vogue in the north-eastern part of the Indian subcontinent, like monipuri and santal dances, are also practiced in Bangladesh, but Bangladesh has developed its own distinct dancing styles.

Bangladesh has a rich tradition of folk songs, with lyrics rooted into vibrant tradition and spirituality, mysticism, and devotion. Such folk songs also revolve round several other themes, including love themes. Most prevalent of folk songs and music traditions include Bhatiali, Baul, Marfati, Murshidi, and Bhawaiya. Lyricists like Lalon Shah, Hason Raja, Kangal Harinath, Romesh Shill, Abbas Uddin, and many unknown anonymous lyricists have enriched the tradition of folk songs of Bangladesh.

In relatively modern context, Robindro Shongit and Nazrul Giti form precious cultural heritage of Bangladesh. In recent time, western influences have given rise to several quality rock bands, particularly in urban centers like Dhaka.

Several musical instruments, some of them of indigenous origin, are used in Bangladesh, and major musical instruments used are the bamboo flute (bashi), drums (dhol), a single stringed instrument named ektara, a four stringed instrument called dotara, and a pair of metal bawls used for rhythm effect called mandira, are important in the culture of Bangladesh.

Currently, several musical instruments of western origin like guitars, drums, and the saxophone are also used, sometimes alongside with traditional instruments.

G. Pavitha Sri

B.Sc Psychology

 

Australia is a country rich in diversity, culturally and geographically, a richness embodied in our music which embraces all genres and styles, is both steeped in tradition, and at the forefront of innovation and experimentation.

Indigenous Music

TRADITIONAL

Music is found in ceremony and important community activity in all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Cultures.

CONTEMPORARY

Contemporary indigenous music embraces all genres from folk and roots to blues, rock, pop, hip hop and classical forms.

 

Folk, Bush and Country Music

Folk music, often handed down in oral form, has existed in Australia since our colonial days, and many local communities have folk clubs and folk festivals. Bush and country are variants of country music, drawing on rural themes and traditions, telling stories through music of life, love and longing.

Contemporary Popular Music

Rock and popular music have an almost limitless number of genres and sub categories. Some of the better known types are:  alternative, country, electronic, folk, funk, grunge, indie, hip hop, pop, progressive rock, punk, R&B, rock, ska, and soul.

Classical and Art Music

Australia has a rich tradition of Western classical music with professional orchestras in every capital; an active chamber music, small ensemble and choral sector; and four professional opera companies.

Australian Dance

Traditional Indigenous Australian dance was closely associated with song and was understood and experienced as making present the reality of the Dreamtime.

Bush dance has developed in Australia as a form of traditional dance, it draws on traditions from English, Irish, Scottish and other European dance. Locally originated dances include the “Waves of Bondi”, the Melbourne Shuffle and New Vogue.

Still more dance groups in Australia employ dances from a variety of backgrounds, including reconstructed European Court dances and Medieval Dance, as well as fusions of traditional steps with modern music and style.

G. PavithaSri

B.Sc Psychology

Spain’s traditional music is essentially a multi-faceted mosaic of the many cultures of Spain’s long and colorful history. For this reason, the traditional music and dance vary as you travel from region to region.

The music of Spain has a long history. It has played an important role in the development of Western music, and has greatly influenced Latin American music. Spanish music is often associated with traditional styles such as flamenco and classical guitar. While these forms of music are common, there are many different traditional musical and dance styles across the regions.

The popular styles of Music in Spain includes Indie, Bacalao, Jazz, Classical, Jota, Zarzuela, Gregorian Chants and Flamenco. Perhaps Spain’s most famous musical style is flamenco, which has helped to make the southern region of Andalusia the cultural phenomenon it is today.

Though traditional dance in Spain summons up iconic images of flamenco, there are many variations widespread across the country.

Jota

The jota is a dance which exists in distinct forms in many of the regions of Spain, including Aragon, Valencia, Catalonia and Galicia, where in each case it reflects the local culture and history.

Sevillana

As the name indicates, the Sevillana is a type of folk music and dance which originates in the southern Spanish city of Seville and shares similarities with the other main Andalusian dance: flamenco.

Flamenco

Undoubtedly one of the most famous cultural exports from Spain, flamenco is in fact so much more than just a dance. It emerged among the gypsy communities of Andalusia and is performed by a mixture of singing, guitar playing, dancing, finger snapping and hand clapping.

Zarzuela

Not exclusively a dance, the zarzuela is more a popular form of lyrical performance featuring song and dance.

Other Famous dance forms includes Muiñeira, Paso doble, Fandango and Zambra.

G. Pavitha Sri

B.Sc Psychology

Music of China refers to the music of the Chinese people, which may be the music of the Han Chinese as well as other ethnic minorities within mainland China. It also includes music produced by people of Chinese origin in some territories outside mainland China using traditional Chinese instruments or in the Chinese language. It covers a highly diverse range of music from the traditional to the modern.

Largely based on the pentatonic scale, Chinese folk music is different from western traditional music, paying more attention to the form expression as well. Han traditional weddings and funerals usually include a form of oboe called a suona and percussive ensembles called chuigushou.

The music of the different dances is diverse but remains mostly traditional. The sounds are subtle and harmonic and traditional Chinese instruments are common. Some are the pipa(somewhat similar to a guitar) and the erhu (also known as Chinese violin). Gongs and bamboo flutes are also used frequently.

DANCE

Chinese dance is a form of performing arts that involves rhythmic body movements combined with music and costumes. It refers to a series of different dance genres that have evolved throughout the centuries. Each region and ethnic group has unique dances and traditions.

Umbrella dance
Dance is an important part of the Chinese culture and has many different purposes. Some are performed during festivals and rituals, like welcoming the New Year or celebrating the harvest. Dances can also be a form of expression and many have developed among the different regions like the popular Lantern dance, which originated in southern China and involves undulating body movements that emulate a dragon.

Dance performances have been a traditional form of entertainment.

Dance performances have been a traditional form of entertainment. Historically, the royal court enjoyed watching them, and in modern times opera and ballet inspired traditional dances are a popular form of entertainment. Ballrooms also developed during the 20th century for couples to go and dance in a more ”western” fashion.

Some martial arts also involve rhythmic movements and music. In recent times, they have become a popular form of exercise. Tai Chi is a popular example. Practiced by millions, it involves slow movements often combined with music and meditation.

G.Pavitha Sri

B.Sc psychology

Music and dance have long been an essential part of Mexican culture, from Mariachi bands to regional Folklorico dances.

MARIACHI MUSIC

Fun to say, and even more fun to listen to, many people consider Mariachi music to be the music that best represents Mexican culture. Mariachi is Mexican Folk Music, and distinguished from other types of music by the instruments, attire, and the songs themselves.

INSTRUMENTS

A modern Mariachi group will include violins, trumpets, guitars, a vihuela, and a guitarron. The vihuela and the guitarron give the group its distinct sound. The vihuela is a variation of a small guitar with a belly in the back and five treble strings. The guitarron resembles a large bass guitar, and also has a belly in the back. It has six strings tuned within an octave and a half range, and is the heart of the Mariachi ensemble.

ATTIRE

The standard Mariachi costume for performing is known as “charro” or Mexican cowboy. Ankle boots, sombrero, mono or large bow tie, short jacket, snug trousers without back pockets and shiny buttons along the side, and a wide belt define the outfit. Some groups however choose to appear in traditional regional costumes. In Mexico, traditionally only males are allowed to be part of a Mariachi ensemble, but in the United States women are increasingly performing in Mariachi bands.

MUSIC

The rhythmic pattern distinguishes Mariachi music. It is an alteration between 3/4 and 6/8 with heavy syncopation. Trumpets and violins make extensive use of grace notes. Lyrics, for the most part, are humorous and not to be taken seriously.

FOLKLORICO DANCES

The various Folklorico dances represent the different geographical regions in Mexico from which they originate. For example, Jalisco, located west of Mexico City, is considered to be the land of beautiful women, charros, and birthplace of Mariachi music. Jalisco dances are those of courtship, while, Veracruz, the oldest city along the eastern coast of the Gulf of Mexico, mixes Spanish, African and Carribean rhythms. Its dances contain diverse steps or “zapateados” with flamenco characteristics. Regardless of the region represented, colorful, flamboyant costuming is part of every performance. As with Mariachi, Folklorico groups can now be found throughout the United States.

 

G.Pavitha Sri

Bsc Psychology

 

Culture, in India, although diverse and varied, still binds the country together in some form of common identification. India has a great heritage of classical dance and music.

MUSIC

Classical music in India belongs to either of the two main, traditional styles. One is Hindustani music, which developed in northern India and is much influenced by forms from Persia, Arabia, and central Asia. The other is Karnatik music, which developed as part of the Dravidian culture of southern India

Both these styles make use of the raga or rag, which is one of many different musical scales that form the melodic framework upon which a piece of music is based. They also use the tala or tal, which is the rhythmical cycle or recurring pattern of musical beats that the piece uses.

Hindustani music developed as a distinct tradition after the 1200’s, following the first Muslim settlements in India. It resulted from the influence of Iranian and Arab music upon India’s traditional music. The Karnatik music is the music of southern India. It is rooted in ancient Hindu traditions and was relatively unaffected by the Muslim influences that partly shaped the music of northern India after the 1100’s.

 

DANCE

There are five major styles of classical dance in India: (1) Bharata Natyam, (2) Kathak, (3) Kathakali, (4) Manipuri, and (5) Orissi. Each of these styles developed in a specific region of India. They differ in their languages of gesture.

All dances may be used in combination with mime. Some dances are set to music. Others are accompanied by spoken poetry. The dancer uses movement to interpret the sense of the poetry sung by the singer and communicates the feelings evoked by the music. Dancers are free to make up their own movements.

Classical Indian dances are among the most graceful and beautiful in the world. They all make use of a complicated, visual language, consisting of hand gestures, body movements, and postures.  Indian dance uses a set of emotions or feelings known as rasas.

Other styles, apart from the five major classical dance styles, are performed in other regions of India. They include the Yakshagana of Mysore, in southwestern India, the Kuchipudi of Andhra Pradesh, and the Chham of eastern India.

A great variety of folk dances exists throughout India.  Most of them are connected with religious or seasonal festivals. In many of these dances, the performers use sticks or even swords. Examples of folk dance styles include bhangra, a harvest dance from the Punjab, and kolatam, a circular stick dance performed by women in Tamil Nadu.

G. PavithaSri

(B.Sc Psychology)