Vos Virtual Network

Leading film-makers are seeking to change the way we think about other countries. This is one of a powerful series of films to be shown on Pangea Day, May 10th, “the day the world comes together through film”. Set against the backdrops of Nairobi city and the beautiful landscape of Uhuru Park, a Kenyan choir sings the Indian national anthem, Jana Gana Mana.

Credits…

Concept: JOHANNES LEONARDO / Produced by: Blue Sky Films (EPZ) Ltd
Producers: Mario Zvan, Jim Shamoon
Director: Bob Nyanja
Production Manager: Hemal Shah
Production Coordinator: Shiv Mandavia
Production Assistants: Consolata Karani, Phylis Andika
Production Accountant: Catherine Mumbua
Assistant Director: Tosh Gitonga
Location Manager: Yayha Chavanga
Director of Photography: Martin Munyua
Combined flags provided by conceptual artist: Mariano Favetto
Choir Coordinator: Maggie Kiundi
Camera Assistant: Kevin Ouma
Best Boy Lighting: Francis Ouma
Electrician: Ezekiel Andika
Key Grip: Jackie Tella
Crane Grip: Steve Obunde
Assistant Grip: Ken Omutimba
Sound Recordist: Lee Smith
Wardrobe Coordinator: Sophie Oprisanu
Wardrobe Assistant: Chris Kariuki
Unit Coordinator: Patrick Musyimi
Unit Assistants: Wycliff Obote, Joel Karo
Editor: Philip Murugi
Drivers: Lawrence Macharia, George Atsiaya, Ferdinand Yeswa, Mwangi D., and also Mbugwa D.

Choir: Geoffrey Mukoto, Esther Nyandia Kariuki, Violet Muhonjia Ingosi, Urbanus Kioko Octavy, Jane Wandi Wanjira Njeru, Mathew Muriuki Githinji, James Kagwimah, Brenda N. Munyasia, Marietta Mwamachi, Rosemary Nyongai, Stephan Okoth, Mary Mwende Mutua, Liboyi Paul Nganyi, Justus Mutua, David Mumanga, Dorcas Akinyi, Agatha Nafula, Abbyserah W. Kiruri, Scholastica Ngolanie

Tags: anthem, choir, film, India, Kenya, music, sing, song, video

This video features Raga Shivranjani playing the Bansuri (Indian Bamboo Flute), and Sudarshan Sidhaye on the Indian bongo-like drums. You might want to play the video twice; first time watching the video, and second time with your eyes closed and meditating.

The video clip runs about 9:30 minutes and is an excellent example of Bansuri music. The sound from a bansuri comes from resonance in the air column inside it.

“The bansuri is a transverse alto flute of India, Pakistan, and Nepal, made of a single length of bamboo with six or seven open finger holes. An ancient musical instrument associated with cowherds and the pastoral tradition … the North Indian bansuri, typically about 14 inches long, was traditionally used as a soprano instrument primarily for accompaniment in lighter compositions including Indian movie soundtracks.” - Wikipedia

One of my daughters will be traveling to India this summer to do some volunteer work in rural villages. Perhaps she will hear music like this.

Back in 1981, when I first became interest in computers, I was talking to a salesman about an Apple 2 computer (way before the Lisa or the Mac had been invented). The salesman was demonstrating how the Apple II could play music… and I said: “Wow! You could study ethnomusicology with that thing!” He gave me a funny look and said, “Well I guess you could.” Anyway, I never bought that Apple 2 computer, but here is proof that you can study ethnomusicology on your computer.

Tags: India, music, video