Nandini Banerjee-Datta

I was introduced to a rich and complex tradition of music that I would probably never had previously explored if it weren’t for this course: Indian and West Asian music. I learned about the traditional Hindustani and Carnatic genres, traditional Indian instruments, and the ways in which traditional and popular music evolved in response to culture, time periods, and technology. I also learned to think more critically when listening to any kind of music, asking questions such as: Who is the audience? What is the artist’s history (nationality, ethnicity, familial roots, geographical location, socioeconomic status, etc.)? What is the purpose of the song? Is there a purpose? Who determines what is good or bad?

We learned and studied about indigenous theories and writings about the traditions, and we could learn a range of indigenous and diasporic “Asian” musical styles, ideas, traditions, and artists through an interdisciplinary approach to the study of music as culture.

This class, "Musics of India & West Asia," was an incredible learning experience! I gained so much knowledge, ranging from exploring different musical styles and the messages they convey to understanding how these styles vary from one country to another and the reasons behind the use of specific instruments. I also appreciated learning about the diverse perspectives presented throughout the course, which was truly eye-opening. On a personal note, I especially enjoyed delving into my own country’s history, particularly through one of the readings about the Moroccan diaspora in Britain. It made the class even more meaningful for me.

I got a glimpse into Indian and West Asian culture by engaging with music from these traditions.

I highly recommend this course. It was my first time taking a music class and I had absolutely no background knowledge about INDIA & WEST ASIA, but I enjoyed the class so much and learned a lot. In this class, I learned not only about knowledge but also about cultural diversity and how to enjoy them.

Interesting subject, but I'm not entirely sure what I've taken away. 1 Columbia University: Arts & Sciences Fall 2024 Course: AHMMUN3321_003_2024_3-MUSICSOFINDIA&WESTASIA : AHMMUN3321_003_2024_3 - MUSICS OF INDIA & WEST ASIA Instructor: Nandini Banerjee-Datta