SB1 - Harvest Celebration

Research Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaisakhi

> All text shown below is extracted from the research source, and then highlighted to identify key aspects I found important from the site. 

"Vaisakhi is also a harvest festival 

for people of the Punjab region. 

In the Punjab, Vaisakhi marks the 

ripening of the Rabi harvest. 

Vaisakhi also marks the new year

 for Punjabi Sikhs and Hindus. 

Punjabi Muslims observe the new 

year according to the Islamic calendar."

Vaisakhi, also known as Baisakhi, Vaishakhi, or Vasakhi is a historical and religious festival in Sikhism and Hinduism. It is usually celebrated on April 13 or 14 every year.

Vaisakhi also marks the Punjabi new year. This day is observed as a thanksgiving day by farmers whereby farmers pay their tribute, thanking God for the abundant harvest and also praying for future prosperity. The harvest festival is celebrated by Sikhs and Punjabi Hindus. Historically, during the early 20th century, Vaisakhi was a sacred day for Sikhs and Hindus and a secular festival for all Muslims and non-Muslims including Punjabi Christians. In modern times, sometimes Christians participate in Baisakhi celebrations along with Sikhs and Hindus.

Vaisakhi marks, the birthday of Khalsa Panth in Sikh religion.

Aawat pauni

Aawat pauni is a tradition associated with harvesting, which involves people getting together to harvest the wheat. Drums are played while people work. At the end of the day, people sing dohay to the tunes of the drum.

Fairs and dances

The harvest festival is also characterized by the folk dance, Bhangra which traditionally is a harvest dance.

Fairs or Melas are held in many parts of Punjab, India to mark the new year and the harvesting season. Vaisakhi fairs take place in various places, including Jammu City, Kathua, Udhampur, Reasi and Samba, in the Pinjore complex near Chandigarh, in Himachal Pradesh cities of Rewalsar, Shimla, Mandi and Prashar Lakes.

> This research gives more detail into the reasoning behind the harvest, and the origins of Bhangra. This builds on the accuracy of the design work that I may create for this project, and help build reasoning behind future design ideas. 

> I researched into Vaisakhi events possibly being held in Leeds, and found an event that will be held on the 21st April. This will be a great oppurtunity to take some primary imagery and note how the event unfolds. If I manage my time and development work correctly, I could use this new information and imagery for my potential production process, so that I will have enough time to create the final outcome and implament the primary research aswell. 

SB1 - Instruments and Dance

Research Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/music/music_dance/group_dance3.shtml
> all text written below is from the research source, where key points from this is taken and highlighted.

Bhangra - Culture Music and Dance research 

Amira and Syed's wedding on 'Eastenders'

"Bhangra originated in the Punjab region of India. Traditionally a good harvest was celebrated by dancing and singing songs to the sound of the dhol drum."

"In Bhangra music:The dhol provides a bass part with tabla or dholak adding a decorative part abovelyrics are sung in the Punjabi language and are often from poems called 'boli'lyrics are about love, relationships, money, dancing, drinking and being merry"

"The dhol is a large traditional North Indian drum played with cane sticks. The tension is adjusted to produce a bass and treble sound. It is extremely loud."

"Tabla are a pair of small drums placed side by side on the floor in front of the player. The dholak is a double-headed hand-drum often slung from the shoulder."

"Bhangra is now used to describe a high-energy style of dance music developed by young Asians and performed at weddings, parties and clubs."

"Bhangra fuses Western pop music, Hindi film music and folk music from the Punjabi region. Traditional Punjab drums and string instruments are fused with Western instruments such as electric guitars. The harmony is usually simple, with one or two repeated chords."

"Mundian To Bach Ke by Panjabi MC uses a combination of electronic instruments and traditional Punjab instruments including the tumbi, a one-string fiddle which plays a three note riff. The song features a sampled bass line taken from the 1980s television series Knight Rider."

"Bhangra dance steps

Bhangra is danced at weddings, parties and family celebrations. The dance rhythm is set by the dhols."

"There are many types of dance, some are especially for men or women. Bhangra is often danced in circles and uses a lot of arm and shoulder movement."

"Some dances use sticks and swords. Other dances use stunts such as a dancer sitting on someone's shoulders, while another person hangs from his torso by his legs."

> This research helps highlight the usage of instruments and dance movements in Bhangra. This helps me generate and understanding for symbolism that could be used in this project. For example the formation of dancing is shown through circular movements. Instruments identified in the text go into depth about the sound that they produce, this could be futher developed and shown in a physical form of shapes and symbols. 

SB1 - 'Daytimers'

research source: http://www.thefader.com/2017/01/10/british-asian-daytimers-history-riz-ahmed

Whilst researching into 'Daytimers', I came across a sight that talked about why this event was key to those of the British Asian community during the 60's-90's. There was also a small short film called 'Daytimers' on the site. The film was directed by Rize Ahmed in 2016. 

The film is set on the 10th April 1999, following the life of Naseen, a young pakistani boy who grapples with being a good Muslim, and "as well as wanting to ape the macho posturing of the older boys in the rave". The film really highlighted the tensions between the Sikh and Muslim community, however there was an aspect to which both religious groups form a form of halt to abuse at the daytimers event, as that is what they all depended on. Also with the exploration of the heated violence, the holders of the events were sceptical of closing the event. 

The attitude and process of going to the event would simply have the students attend school, for the assembly and registration, then they would jump on a train to the event. Busloads of people would come from Manchester, Birmingham, and Milton Keynes. 

"East to West"

Some Boys would wear clothing based on religion. Adidas was the main brand that was worn. Boys who were Sikh would where Orange with the black stripes with their khalas (religious bangle), and Pakistani boys would wear Green with white stripes with the moon and star on the back. 

This event was very liberating for the female generation, being able to explore their sexuality and their clothes. And for both genders it was like being in the best of both worlds.

> I really like the exploration into Daytime raves, it's helped bring awareness to the culture behind Bhangra, and how the younger generation rebelled to listen to Bhangra. There are many possible design ideas that I have based on this event. Such as creating some sore of kit for the students who skive. Like a exercise book which actually has cut outs inside to hide money, bus tickets and jewelery. I also really like the phrasing from east to west, it highlights and celebrates the life and birth of the Bhangra genre and it's origins. 

SB1 - Research Notes into Bhangra

"Bhaṅgṛā is a type of upbeat popular music 

associated with India and the diaspora of 

southeast Asia into the United States and 

Europe. It was invented in the Indian 

subcontinent."

"The roots of modern bhangra music date back to at least the mid 20th century in India. An early pop music and modern recording artist/group of this type of music in the UK was Bhujhangy Group, founded by brothers Balbir Singh Khanpur and Dalbir Singh Khanpur in Birmingham in 1967. Bhujhangy Group's first major hit was "Bhabiye Akh Larr Gayee" in the early 1970s, released on Birmingham's Oriental Star Agencies label. This was the first song to combine traditional Asian music with modern western instruments, which would be followed by further developments of this in bhangra."

Key Notes taken:

- Bhangra music is about migrating and finding eachother.
- Bhangra is a dance music genre
- Bhangra was created through British immigrant Punjabi's
- Birmingham in the 1960's
- Bhujhangy were the first Bhangra recording group in the UK
- Bhang translates to Hemp - which is used in traditional drinks for celebrations    in Indian
- Bhangra is the celebration of harvest, which was the developed into being used      for all types of celebrations like birthdays and weddings. 
- 30,000 cassettes sold a week, however not one song made it to the Top 40 UK Chart
- Alaap, an original band in Southall formed in 1977
- Channi Singh went on to win an OBE Award
- The Biggest Bhangra star was Malkit Singh aka 'The Golden Star'
- At the End of the 1990's Bhnagra largely declined

Traditional Instruments used in Bhangra:

- Ektar (Tumbi)
- Sarangi
- Chimpta
- Dhol
- Daf
- Dholak
- Dhad
- Tabla

After the migration of workers into Birmingham, the punjabi population rose. With the increase in population, there was a desire to link back to roots and celebrate heritage. Gurdwara's were built and Bhangra was formed. The younger generations in the community wanted to be able to listen to Bhangra, and thats where the 'Daylighters' events came in. 

Daylighters - was an event in which music events/gigs were secretly held in the afternoon. The music would be all bhangra. The event was held in the daytime, so the younger generations could attend the event, and not have any issues with breaking curfew. Conservative parents wouldn't allow their children to go to nightclubs, so this was their alternative. However this involved them having to scive school.

"Walked out with uniform on, 

jump on a bus, pay £10, 

have a rave and be home at 6pm"

The event took place on Wednesday afternoons, which was known to be a day which had free periods for the students.

The Demise of Daytimers: Community disquiet, elders realised tensions between religious groups and were unhappy with Sikh girls dancing with Pakistani Boys. A group of Sikh worshippers would stand outside of where the daytimers event would take place, and record those who entered the event. The film would then be played at the local Gurdwara so that their parents could see if their children were a part of the event and getting involved. This then caused the younger generation to stop attending the event, later causing the demise to 'Daytimers'. However through further research, it's now being celebrated as almost a 'throwback', events are now being held for those who used to go them in their younger years - celebrate making friends and possible partners through the event. 

SB1 - Refined Music Genre

After researching into lots of Music Genres under the Genre of Fimli, I have decided to choose Bhangra. 

I had research into each and every micro genre of Filmi, and found that most of the genres lacked research, and key information to choose for my genre. Many had hardly any research sites, or books based on them which I could get a hold of except Bhangra. One thing that I like about choosing Bhangra is that again, I am put in a situation where I am familiar with the music when growing up, however I don't know enough about it. So there is a balance of interest and intrigue that will help me develop and refine my knowledge of Bhangra. Also I feel that I could use this to my advantage, having access to items that relate to Bhangra, such as: Tapes, Photos, Clothing etc.

SB1 - First Crit

FIRST CRIT

For our first crit as a class, we has to talk about our genre, the research we collected and the reasoning behind out potential design approaches and direction for this project.

Key aspects that I liked about the research I collected was the relationship with westernisation. With the research I collected and the overall feel for the progression of Filmi music, it's becoming more and more westernised, loosing aspect to what traditional film music used to be like.

- I wanted to look at the idea of creating a piece that highlights how overtly sexual and westernised Filmi is becoming. 

- Other ideas was looking at Hollywood films that used Bollywood music in their films, with this I will then create a a series of Bollywood inspired posters, to bring reminder to the influence Fimli had on this work. 

- Linking back to the westernisation of Filmi, I was thinking of doing the reverse, by taking something western and the easternising it. For example like a denim jacket, something that is heavily used in the western world. 


After briefing these ideas to the group, there wasn't a huge positive response, and I feel there was a lack of true reasoning behind the ideas I created. I also began to realise that the music genre that I had chosen was rather broad and lacked a condensed central point to my ideas. My ideas were rather vast and didn't offer much insight into the music genre, which doesn't follow the genre or brief very well. 

 > To improve the projection of this project, I will further research into Filmi and then find a smaller micro genre that is a part of the Filmi music industry.

SB1 - Filmi in The Western World

When researching into Filmi, one thing that I knew before this project was the form of inspiration Filmi has on the western world. Samples on Indian music mainly from films (Filmi Music). This really inspires me for this project, looking at the relationship between east and west film/music industries and how the overlap. One thing that would be good for this project, is looking at the ways in which western world is inspired from Filmi. It could be a possible outcome, where I bring awareness to the western world on how its used eastern influence to create music and feature in songs that it knows. 


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> The Article Below mentions how Truth Hurts was sued for using Filmi music from 20 years ago without any apporval from the original composer of the song. Key notes share information about this situation. 

A famed Indian composer has filed a lawsuit in federal court claiming the recent hit single "Addictive" by Truth Hurts featuring Rakim borrowed heavily and without permission from a 20-year-old Hindi

- "A famed Indian composer has filed a lawsuit in federal court claiming the recent hit single "Addictive" by Truth Hurts featuring Rakim borrowed heavily and without permission from a 20-year-old Hindi song."

- "The lawsuit also charges American producers, including hip-hop impresario Dr. Dre, with practicing a form of "cultural imperialism" by not crediting Third World artists."

- "Songwriter Bappi Lahiri filed suit in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles on Tuesday seeking a halt to the further sale of the album "Truthfully Speaking" on Dr. Dre's Aftermath Records, his lawyer said."

- "Lahiri claims that the producers of "Addictive" lifted four minutes of the original recording by Indian artist Lata Mangeshkar of the song "Thoda Resham Lagta Hai." "They literally superimposed their own drum track and lyrics over the beat," said Lahiri's lawyer Anthony Kornarens. "It's not just a small loop." 

 - "It's our opinion that the label simply took it for granted that Hindi music was something they didn't need pay for, that it could be used simply at will," Kornarens said."

- "Addictive," produced by DJ Quik, was released as a single and reached No. 2 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart and No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100."

- "Saregama India Ltd., the Bombay-based film and music company that produced the original recording of Lahiri's song, filed its own suit last month in federal court in Houston, seeking $500 million in damages."

> The Article highlights the attitudes the western world have towards eastern music, and that Truth Hurts thought that they could get away with sampling it without thinking of the consequences, or even think that there were any. I think this attitude disrespects the Filmi music industry, and it's culture as a whole. This could spark the idea of showing the level of sampling people have done to use Filmi Music. 


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> Other musicians that have used samples of Filmi to create music (With legal use)

Research Source: https://www.whosampled.com/news/2011/05/23/top-10-bollywood-samples/



1) Britney Spears - Toxic > Lata Mangeshkar and S.P. Balasubrahmanyam - Tere Mere     Beech Mein 

2) Black Eyed Peas - Don't Phunk with My Heart > Asha Bhosle - Aye Naujawan Hai Sab Kuchch Yahan

3) M.I.A. - Jimmy - Parati Khan > Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy Aajav

4) Jay Z feat. Kanye West - The Bounce > Alka Yagnik and Ila Arun - Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai

5) Chase & Status - Eastern Jam > Shreya Ghoshal and Nusrat Badr - Silsila Ye Chaahat Ka

6) Tricky - Ponderosa > Jagjit Singh - O Maa Tujhe Salaam

7) Method Man feat. Busta Rhymes - What's Happenin' > Asha Bhosle and Usha Iyer Dum Maro Dum

8) Erick Sermon feat. Redman - React > Asha Bhosle and Mohammed Rafi Chandi Ka Badan

9) Mobb Deep feat. Young Buck - Give It to Me > Alka Yagnik, Manpreet Akhthar and Udit Narayan - Tujhe Yaad Na Meri Aaye

10) Bombay Bicyle Club - Feel > Lata Mangeshkar Man Dole Mera Tan Dole

11) will.i.am feat. Cody Wise - It's my Birthday > A.R. Rahman - Urvashi Urvashi



> The heavy use of Filmi used in the Western world is shown well with this list, which is not all songs that have used samples. Some are extremely successful and heavily rely on the sample being used to make the song what it is. 

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> Here are some films that sample and use Fimli music. Using Bollywood for            Hollywood.

 

1) Inside Man - Chal Chaiyan Chaiyan

2) The Dictator - Mundian tu Bachke

3) The Accidental Husband - Chhalka Chhalka re

4) GURU - Chori Chori hum Gori Sey

5) The Accidental Husband - Mujhe Rang de

6) Moulin Rouge - Chamma Chamma
 

7) Ghost World - Jaan Pehchaann Ho

8) Lord of War - Bombay Theme

9) Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - Wada na tod

> From matching the location of the film, the attitude of character or just because the director purely liked the song, many filmi songs have been used in Hollywood. How could I create this into a final piece? I could highlight the ways in which the films used the music, by making the western aspect of the film eastern. I could take the posters made and form them into a traditional styled poster (Examples shown below).

SB1 - Alam Ara 1931

Research source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alam_Ara

Through research, I found that this was the first movie that introduced the filmi genre into Bollywood, being the first film with sound. 

Alam Ara (translation: The Ornament of the World) 

was a 1931 Indian film directed by Ardeshir Irani. 

It was the first Indian sound film.

"Irani recognised the importance that sound would have on the cinema, and raced to complete Alam Ara before several contemporary sound films. Alam Ara debuted at the Majestic Cinema in Mumbai (then Bombay) on 14 March 1931. The first Indian talkie was so popular that "police aid had to be summoned to control the crowds." The film was houseful for the next 8 weeks of its release. It was advertised with the tagline "All living. Breathing. 100 per cent talking".

"Both the movie and its music were widely successful, including the hit song "De de khuda ke naam per", which was also the first song of the Indian cinema. It was sung by actor Wazir Mohammed Khan who played a fakir in the film. As playback singing had yet to start in Indian cinema, it was recorded live with musical accompaniment of a harmonium and a tabla."

"The film marked the beginning of filmi music in the Cinema of India, as noted film director Shyam Benegal said, "It was not just a talkie. It was a talking and singing film with more singing and less talking. It had a number of songs and that actually set the template for the kind of films that were made later". In fact, the 1932 film Indrasabha had an overwhelming 71 songs in it."

> Could I create a piece inspired by Alam Ara? Celebrating the first ever Bollywood film using Fimli. Could it focus on the origin of Filmi? What could be used to symbolise this? - A Gramaphone as that is that was used to record music.