by CHITHIRA VIJAYKUMAR
Korean musician Yu Kyung-hwa speaks about her musical journey across cultures
Now, Yu is one of the leading musicians of Korea, known for her work with traditional instruments, as well the music of shamanistic rites and rituals.
“There are primarily two kinds of music in Korea — one intended for the royals, and one for the public. The music of the kings has a more controlled rhythm, and is not meant to convey joys or sorrows. For the people, you must express as much as possible, all that you can.” She began to create a music that blended the two opposing forms, becoming one of the first musicians to do so. Yu has also been composing for the Cheolhyeongeum, the iron-stringed zither, a traditional instrument for which very little music was originally written.
But what of Indian music makes it to Korea? “The ragas,” she says. “The music of legends such as Ravishankar.”
The Hindu for more