Fine Arts Music

Question: Discuss about the Article for Fine Arts of Music? Answer: Music is magical. It has the ability to capture a moment or emotion for infinity. Kuwaiti music has enchanting effects on the senses of the listener and can relate to the founding history of Kuwait. It takes the native listener to his past and makes him feel nostalgic. The songs of the seafarers make the listener remember the glorious past of his ancestors and their struggles, sufferings, successes and celebrations on the tides of the mighty sea. The drums sound to them like the crashing waves. Such is the magnetic pull of the traditional sea music of Kuwait that it not only influences the natives but also has a lasting impact on any listener from anywhere. Kuwaits traditional music has originated from the heritage of seafaring. The traditional pearl diver song is known as Fijderi. East African Kuwaitis perform the music and dance type known as Liwa. The sailor songs are known as Al-Arda Al-Bahariya and Al-Nahma songs accompanied the sailing activities. Sea had a fundamental impact on the Kuwaiti society and was once its lifeblood as Kuwait was once dependent on the seas for trade, prosperity or expeditions of pearl diving. Music had many purposes on the sea life of the sailors, which were practical, psychological and emotional. The Nokhetha or the captain directed the musicians what to play which in turn would alternatively order the on board sailors what to do. The synchronized and rhythmic clapping accompanying the music is known as Sharbukka. The art of the Kuwaiti sea song is known as Al-Fan Al-Bahri, which signifies the connection of Kuwait with Bahrain. Basically, there are two basic types of Bahri or sea music which include celebratory and work songs (Urkevich). Yamaal and Sangeen are work songs of the sea. These are used for explicit purposes. Sangeen has been described as the most difficult and is sung while the sailors are setting out the ship on the sea. Since immense physical effort is required, the music is challenging. Al-Yamaal is the other work song and has multiple versions. These are sung when the sailors are rowing the ship, trimming the sail of the vessel or pulling the ship towards the dropped anchor. The songs help the sailors to apply synchronizing efforts by a unified rhythm and give them a momentary pause. Al-Dawwari is sung while pulling the ship back to the dropped anchor (Taibah, Jameel and MacDonald). Al-Uns is the celebratory music for happiness. This is played when the sailors return home safely after a successful journey by singing, dancing and playing instruments for celebrations. The instruments employed in this music are sea, desert and urban instruments. Oud is the urban instrument used for this music. Ardha is the military dance show. This is used to threaten the enemy and demonstrate the military power prior to the battle. For the seafaring culture of Ardha, the dancers dance with sheath and sword in both hands. It is also performed to honor a famous guest. The beats of the music are asymmetrical (Al-Shahi, Ahmed and Lawless). The seafarer tradition of music has represented the most important aspects of the Kuwaiti society for ages through songs, dances and music. However, after the discovery of the oil fields, the folk music and songs were no further created. References Al-Shahi, Ahmed, and Richard Lawless, eds.Middle East and North African Immigrants in Europe: Current Impact; Local and National Responses. Routledge, 2013. Taibah, Nadia Jameel, and Margaret Read MacDonald.Folktales from the Arabian Peninsula: Tales of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. ABC-CLIO, 2015. Urkevich, Lisa.Music and Traditions of the Arabian Peninsula: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar. Routledge, 2014.