JUST SEE: AN ANALYSIS INTO THE CULTURAL DUALITY OF THE MUSIC OF REENA ESMAIL

With combinations of music from multiple cultures becoming mainstream, having a holistic approach to the music is extremely helpful for quality performance. With the music of Reena Esmail, learning more about her life’s journey, as well as the fundamentals of Hindustani music that she uses in her compositions, is vital to a thoughtful and thought-provoking performance. In this era of multiculturalism, having the cultural sensitivity of a world citizen is imperative to the elevation of our craft. By examining many interviews and discussions, I pieced together a biography of Reena’s life and compositional development, and of her connections with Hindustani music as she blended her personal and professional worlds. I analyzed the fundamentals of Hindustani music and applied them to her duet Nadiya and quintet The Light is the Same. I described aspects of Hindustani music theory such as the melodic raags, the rhythmic taal, Hindustani ornamentations, and formal elements like the alaap, relating them to Western theory where possible. I provide detailed analyses of her works Nadiya and The Light is the Same in the context of those elements of Hindustani theory. It is my hope that this document will help musicians in the future perform the works of Reena Esmail and other Hindustani-influenced composers with a little more understanding of the Hindustani music theory within such works. As we work to grow in better directions after a past full of colonialism and cultural appropriation, it is essential that we strive instead for cultural appreciation. Reena Esmail’s work is beautiful and groundbreaking music that deserves to be performed frequently, knowledgably, and appreciatively.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Kansas

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Author dc:creator

• Morris, James Ryan

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Nedbal, Martin
• Velasco, Daniel

• Music
• Bassoon
• Esmail
• Reena

Language dc:language.iso

en

Dc Identifier Other

http://dissertations.umi.com/ku:19784

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:kuscholarworks.ku.edu:1808/38395