3Gr. 8 MA Inside Pp.1-332 June25

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INTRODUCTION

Image from Department of Tourism

Its more fun in the Philippines! These words remind us of our


wonderful experience in studying Philippine music in our Grade 7
lessons. Truly we should be proud to be Filipinos for having a very rich
culture especially in music and arts.
We will now move on to our friendly neighbors in Southeast
Asia. You will notice that our music is very similar to that of our
neighbors. In this module, you will find different activities where you
can learn and show your understanding of the basic concepts and
principles of Southeast Asian music. You will also discover how
people from the Southeast Asian countries express their feelings
towards each other, towards the environment, and their history and
beliefs through vocal or instrumental music.

OBJECTIVES
At the end of this unit, you are expected to:
analyze the music of Southeast Asia
perform using the music of Southeast Asia
analyze examples of Southeast Asian music
and describe how the musical elements are
used
relate Southeast Asian music to the lives of the
people
explain the distinguishing characteristics of representative Southeast
Asian music in relation to the history and culture of the area
perform available instruments from Southeast Asia, alone and / or with
others
improvise simple rhythmic / harmonic accompaniments to selected
Southeast Asian music
explore ways of producing sounds on a variety of sources that would
simulate instruments being studied
evaluate the quality of your own and others performances and
improvisations of Southeast Asian music using developed criteria

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PRE-ASSESSMENT
Before we formally begin our lesson, lets find out
if you know something about the Southeast Asian
countries. Up next are a few activities that will
assess what you know, what you can do, and what
else you need to learn to achieve your targets for
this module.
Are you ready? Lets travel!
Now, wouldnt it be fun to visit different places? In
Southeast Asia, there are eleven countries to visit.
If you were given a chance to visit these countries,
which one would you visit first? Why?
In your notebook, make a list of Southeast Asian
countries you want to visit. Arrange it according to
your top priorities down to the least and write the
reason why you chose to arrange it in that way. Use
the map to guide you in exploring Southeast Asia.

Map of Southeast Asia

http://solargis.info/doc/_pics/freemaps/1000px/ghi/SolarGIS-Solar-map-South-And-South-East-Asia-en.png

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When you travel especially in a foreign
country, you need to have an idea about
their culture. You need to know what kind of
food they have, their mode of transportation,
type of clothes to wear, important sights or
places to visit, the religion, music, and so
many other things.
Why do you need to know about the
countrys culture before travelling? Each
country has its distinct characteristics and
knowing about them will help you adapt and
cope with their culture.
One way of learning culture is through
their music. Are you ready to learn
Southeast Asian culture through music?
Lets start!

Vocal / Instrumental Music

Can you recall the differences between vocal music and instrumental
music? Write their differences in your notebook.

Were you able to identify the


differences of vocal music and
instrumental music? Vocal music is
music made specifically for voices. It
may be performed with or without
instruments while instrumental music
is made solely for instruments. In the
next activity, you will find out if your
answer above is correct.

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Vocal Music

The songs listed below belong to the different countries in Southeast


Asia. Check the box beside the songs that are familiar to you. Do this in your
notebook.

1. Burung Kaka Tua


2. Rasa Sayang
3. Chan Mali Chan
4. Ru Con
5. Bahay Kubo
6. Loi Loi Krathong Can you sing any of
these songs? No need to worry
if you dont know all of them.
We just want to see if you are
familiar with any Southeast
Asian songs. Maybe you know
some of the instruments on the
next page. Lets check them
out!

Instrumental Music
Are you familiar with the
instruments at the next page? Look at
each picture and try to guess its
country of origin and identify how it is
played. Try to remember the
Hornbostel-Sachs classification of
instruments that you learned in Grade
7. Is it an aerophone, chordophone,
idiophone, membranophone, or an
electrophone? Put a smiley face ( )
beside the instrument to indicate if you
think you can play it.

5
1.

6
5

7
9

10

How many instruments were you able


to name? Were you able to guess how they
sound and how they are played? You can
check your answers as we go on with the
lessons. The instruments in the previous
activity will be discussed later on.
Now, based on your answers in the
pre-assessment activities, what do you
think you should learn about Southeast
Asian music?
Write your specific goals in your
notebook following the guide in the next
page.

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LEARNING GOALS AND TARGETS
At the end of this module,

I would like to know about___________________________.

I would like to be able to_____________________________.

I would like to understand____________________________.

I would like to perform _____________________________ .

Good job! Youre done writing


your goals for this unit.

Its time to formally start our


lessons. As we move along, try to look
back at your pre-assessment activities
and check if you were able to learn the
things that you were not able to
answer before. Turn to the next page.

PART I: WHAT TO KNOW

This part of the unit will provide you a little


tour of Southeast Asia. It is very important for
you to learn the historical background and basic
concepts that you will need as you go on with
the lessons.
Our discussion will focus on the vocal and
instrumental music of Southeast Asian countries
particularly in Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos,
Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and
Vietnam.

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Cambodia

Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat

Cambodia is one of the most beautiful countries in Southeast Asia. It is


also known as Kmpcha. It was the center of the Khmer (Cambodian)
Kingdom of Angkor, a great empire that dominated Southeast Asia for 600
years. Their music gained a world-wide reputation in the 1960s until the
dramatic political problems in Cambodia.

Art music is highly influenced by ancient forms as well as Hindu forms.

Cambodian court music is roughly similar to that of Java, Indonesia.


They feature choruses with large orchestras based on struck keys and gongs.

Cambodian people also absorbed and adopted Indian, Chinese,


European, and other cultures to suit their own traditions and tastes that
resulted in a distinct Cambodian culture.

The pinpeat is a Cambodian musical ensemble or an orchestra that


usually accompanies ceremonial music of the royal courts and temples. Music
is always part of their court dances, masked plays, shadow plays, and
religious ceremonies. This group is similar to the piphat ensemble of
Thailand and usually consists of nine or ten instruments.

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THE PINPEAT

Oneat - xylophones
(idiophone)

Samphor - a double- Kongvong - gong


headed drum played circles (idiophone)
with hands
(membranophone)

Chhing - finger
Skorthom - two big drums similar cymbals (idiophone)
to Japanese (membranophone)

ACTIVITY 1: Teacher-Assisted

If you have access to the internet, visit www.youtube.com and type in


the links from the next page to watch video clips of pinpeat. In case you dont
have internet access, ask your teacher to lend you a CD copy of the pinpeat
ensemble performances taken from the website. After watching the
performances, answer the questions found on the next page. Write your
answers in your notebook.

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View this link from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tYa-N6cKGY

View this link from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vx5VzphVxRs

QUESTIONS

1. In three to five sentences, describe how the pinpeat musicians play their
instruments.
2. How many instrument players were needed to form the pinpeat?
3. Are their instruments made of wood or metal?
You can also visit the following web pages for additional reference:
http://www.istov.de/htmls/cambodia/cambodia_start.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambodian_music
http://www.keosambathmusic.com/index.htm

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If Cambodia has the
pinpeat ensemble, do other
Southeast Asian countries have
their own musical ensembles?
Lets find out!

Indonesia

Borobudur
Indonesia is an archipelago in Southeast Asia comprising
approximately 17,500 islands. With over 238 million people, Indonesia is the
world's fourth most populous country and is the fourth biggest nation of the
world. Through interaction with other cultures such as Indian, Arabic,
Chinese, and European, a wide range of musical styles has been developed.
Today, the contemporary music of Indonesia is popular not only in the region
but also in the neighboring countries.
There are two basic kinds of Indonesian music scale:
Slendro five (5) equidistant tones in octave
Peloq heptatonic (7) tone scale with semi-tone
Both vocal and instrumental music in Indonesia use slendro and peloq
scales.

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Polyphonic stratification kind of melody is a result of hocket /
interlock. Interlocking is a common technique used in gong ensembles.
Irama - is an Indonesian term for tempo.

Gamelan

The gamelan or gamelan orchestra is the most popular form of music


in Indonesia. There are many types of gamelan but the famous Javanese and
Balinese gamelan are the most famous. It contains a variety of instruments
such as metallophones, xylophones, kendang and gongs, bamboo flutes,
bowed and plucked strings.

Vocal music is used as ornamentation of the gamelan. It is as


important as gamelan.

1. Pesindhen is a female soloist singer who sings with a gamelan.


2. Gerong refers to the unison male chorus that sings with the
gamelan.

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Remember

Karawitan is the term for every kind of


gamelan music in Java.
Gamelan orchestras
are used to accompany dances,
songs, and wayang kulit
are believed to possess
supernatural powers
consider their instruments sacred,
therefore stepping over the
instrument is a sign of disrespect
musicians bow before playing the
instruments to show respect

Youre probably wondering how


you can distinguish the Javanese
gamelan from the Balinese gamelan.
Follow the links below each TV screen
icon in the next activity. Watch and
listen to how they play.

ACTIVITY 2: Partner Activity

After watching / listening to the Javanese and Balinese gamelan, write


your description of each musical ensemble in a sheet of paper. You may use
the guide questions that follow. As soon as youve finished answering,
compare your answers with your partner. Check if you have the same
description.

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The Gamelan Music of Indonesia The Balinese Gamelan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1AiCTJ9t8g http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmlAZxha
8P

The Javanese Gamelan


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfrOSJRCsfM

QUESTIONS

1. In three to five sentences, describe how the Javanese and Balinese


musicians play their instruments.
2. How many instrument players are needed to form each ensemble?
3. Are their instruments made of wood or metal?

Are your answers in the previous activity similar to the chart below?

Javanese Gamelan Balinese Gamelan


Used for court Used for sacred music
music Consist of metallophone and mostly
Percussion gongs
dominated Sudden change of tempo and
Style of playing dynamics are the basic
gives solemn characteristic.
character Sounds are very bright and brilliant
Use of fast and rattling sounds of
cymbals make distinctive characters

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So, Cambodia has the pinpeat
ensemble while Indonesia has the
Javanese and Balinese gamelans.
However, the Indonesian gamelans
have singers performing with them.
Do other Southeast Asian countries
have singers as well as their musical
ensembles? Lets read on.

Myanmar

Schwedago

Myanmar was known as ANGKOR WAT


Burma until 1989. The countrys name was
officially changed by the military government that took over in 1988. Early
civilization in Myanmar dates back to the 1 st century with archaeological
evidences of the Pyu Kingdoms of Thayekhittaya (Sri Ksetra), Beithano
(Visnu), and Hanlin.

The music of Myanmar (or Burma) has similarities with many other
musical traditions in the region, including Chinese music and Thai music,
probably because its longest land border is shared with China.

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The hsaing waing is Myanmars traditional folk music ensemble. It is
made up mainly of different gongs and drums as well as other instruments
depending on the nature of the performance.

Myanmars musical instruments are categorized into two types, the


loud sounding and soft sounding. The loud sounding instruments are
performed in open-air ensembles at ceremonies and festivals. Most of the
hsaing waing instruments belong to the loud sounding category.

Other instruments in the hsaing waing are the:

Maung
Chauk Lon Hsaing (larger
Pat (a set of bronze gongs in
Hne (a double 8 tuned a rectangular
reed pipe) drums) frame)

Pat
Waing (a set Kyi Waing (small
of 21 drums bronze gongs in a
in a circle) circular frame)

Not shown in the picture is


the siand wa (bell and
clapper)

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For more formal and classical performances that are performed
indoors, the ensemble may be accompanied by the saung gauk (13-string
angular harp with soft sound) the national instrument of Myanmar, the pattala
(Burmese xylophone), or the piano and violin, both introduced during colonial
rule.

Saung Gauk
Myanmar Harp

SAUNG GAUK
Myanmar Harp

Hollow-body of
mahogany (Padauk
Rosewood)

Leather cover of
a female deer

The body of the saung


gauk is made of padauk, the
famous Myanmar mahogany.
The flat bar is made of cutch
wood and it is covered with the
leather of a female deer. The
strings are made of silk.

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Myanmar not only has musical ensembles but also an extensive
collection of classical songs called the mahagita. These songs are divided
into different types like the oldest repertoires, royal court music, songs of
longing, horses dance songs, worship songs for Burmese spirits, and songs
of sorrow and music adapted from Ayutthaya and the Mon people. The saung
gauk usually accompanies these songs.

Malaysia

Pahang State Mosque

Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy in Southeast Asia. It is divided


into two regions:
1. West Malaysia also known as Peninsular Malaysia
2. East Malaysia consists of thirteen states and three federal
territories. Chinese and Indian cultural influences made their mark
when trade began in the country. Trading also increased when
immigrants flocked to Malaysia.

The country is multi-ethnic and multi-cultural, which plays a large role in


developing their culture. The constitution declares Islam the state religion
while protecting freedom of religion.

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Multi-racial groups that influenced Malaysias music genre include the
following:
1. Malay
2. Chinese
3. Indian
4. Iban
5. Dayak
6. Kadazandusun
7. Eurasians

Malaysian music is largely based around percussion instruments. It


has multi-cultural influence and is believed to have originated in the Kelantan-
Pattani region with a mixture of Indian, Chinese, Thai, and Indonesian
influences.

The music of Malaysia may be categorized into two types:


1. Classical and Folk music emerged during the pre-colonial period
and still exists in the form of vocal, dance, and theatrical music.
2. Syncretic or Acculturated music developed during the post-
Portuguese period (16th century). It contains elements from both
local music and foreign elements of Arabian, Persian, Indian,
Chinese, and Western musical and theatrical sources.

Malaysian Musical Instruments

Musical instruments of Malaysia are greatly associated with their


culture and roots. Due to colonization, the stages of development of
Malaysian instruments are great. They share some common features with
Indian musical instruments. After the colonization of Malaysia by the British,
the musical development was influenced by Western music.

Musical Ensembles and Types of Performances in Malaysia

1. Agung and Kulintang

This is a gong-based musical ensemble commonly used in funerals


and weddings in East Malaysia. This type of ensemble is similar to the
kulintang of the Philippines, Brunei, and Indonesia.

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Image from themalaysiantimes.com

2. Kertok

This is a musical ensemble from the Malay Peninsula that consists


of xylophones played swiftly and rhythmically in traditional Malay
functions.

Image from pelancongan-terengganu.blogspot.com

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3. Dikir Barat
This is a type of musical form that is important to Malaysias national
culture. It is performed by singing in groups and often in a competitive
manner usually with percussion instrumental accompaniment or
sometimes without instruments at all.

Image from agefotostock.com

4. Silat Melayu

This is a form of
martial art that is similar
to tai chi. It originated in
the Malay Peninsula
since the Christian Era
and is a mixture of martial
arts, dance, and music
usually accompanied by
gongs, drums, and Indian
oboes.

Image from flickr.com

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Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Malaysia
have instrumental ensembles and vocal music.
Have you noticed that these musical performances
are used in different manners in their culture? They
have a specific type of music for festivals, religious
events, weddings, and funerals.
Do you think the other countries have this too? Do
they use instrumental and vocal music for their
cultural or religious events?
Lets keep on reading.

Thailand

Ayutthaya Ruins
Formerly known as Siam, Thailand is known for being the sole nation
in Southeast Asia that has never been ruled by a Western power. It is for
this reason that the country is also called Muang Thai, which means Land
of the Free. History and geography indicates that Thai music is a
conglomeration of Asian influences. Its musical principles and elements are
basically derived from Chinese music, while its musical instruments are
inspired from the Indian and Indonesian strings and gong-chimes. The Thais
combined and adapted these to their culture and created their own unique
music.

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Music is theoretically based on the five-tone or seven-tone scale
system. It is not only confined to the royal courts but is also used extensively
in dance, theatre, and in ceremonies.

Thai folk music consists of simple songs with simple melodic lines. Its
main focus in singing is the articulation of the text rather than the style or
technique of execution.

Songs of Thailand have inherently poetic lyrics which allow a singer or


performer to easily define the melodic lines. It provides the singer the
opportunity to improvise song text to suit the given occasion. The
interpretation of a singer gives meaning to the sacred and spiritual essence of
songs with free rhythm while melodies may either be interpreted or written in
the high or low register with long or short durations.

Thailand has three primary instrumental ensembles that are similar to


the other ensembles in Southeast Asia.

1. Piphat It is a mid-sized orchestra that is performed in either


outdoor style with hard mallets or indoor style with padded mallets.
This ensemble has different types but the highly ornate one is
traditionally associated with funerals and cremation ceremonies.
Other versions of the piphat ensemble are used to accompany
specific forms of traditional Thai drama such as the large shadow
puppet theatre (nang yai) and the khon dance drama.

Image from youtube.com

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2. Khrueang Sai It is an orchestra that combines some of the
percussion and wind instruments of the piphat with an expanded
string section. This group is primarily used for indoor performances
and for the accompaniment of stick-puppet theater.

Image from tube.7s-b.com

3. Mahori This ensemble is traditionally played by women in the


courts of Central Thailand and Cambodia. Because of this,
instruments for this ensemble are historically smaller. However,
regular-sized instruments are used today. A vocalist performing
with the mahori is usually accompanied by the so sam sai.

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Laos

Wat Pha That Luang

This country is an independent state of Southeast Asia and officially


known as Lao Peoples Democratic Republic. It is formerly part of the
Indochinese Union, also known as French Indochina. Wat Pha That Luang,
Vientiane is one of its famous landmarks.
The classical music and dance of Laos is highly influenced by India,
Cambodia, and Thailand.

Themes are drawn from Hindu mythology, the Buddhist Jataka tales,
and local legends.

The royal entourage of Lao kings traditionally included musicians, and


a typical orchestra improvised songs with sets of tuned gongs, xylophones, a
bamboo flute, and other wind instruments.

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The Lao orchestra can be divided into two categories:

1. Sep Nyai This is similar to the piphat of Thailand with instruments


that are strictly percussive but also integrates the use of an oboe.

2. Sep Noi This is also known as the mahori of Thailand. However,


it incorporates the use of several khene which is a large bamboo
mouth organ and is the most popular folk music instrument of Laos.

Traditional music, called Mor lam, is largely based around the khene.

Wow! It looks like most of the


countries in Southeast Asia have a lot of
similarities in their musical instruments
and types of music performed. Their
musical influences are similar to one
another as well.
Isnt it amazing?
Lets see if the last two countries to
be discussed have the same similarities
to the other countries.

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Vietnam

Thien Mu

Vietnam is officially known as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. This


country is located on the eastern coast of the Indochinese Peninsula.

Vietnamese music nhc Vit Nam refers to the ethnic music that
originated from the "Kinh" people of Vietnam. This term is also used to
address the music of any of the numerous ethnic minorities including the
Montagnard, Degar, Tay, Cham, and others.

Although Vietnam is geographically part of Southeast Asia, ten


centuries of rule by the Chinese to the north have made the culture much
closer to Far East than to its Southeast Asian neighbors. Thus, early music
theory was either based upon or adapted to the prevailing Chinese theory,
and the majority of instruments used in the royal court were of Chinese
origin.

On the other hand, other influences can be seen with the ethnic
minorities, such as the Chm or Montagnard peoples. This is possibly due to
interaction with the other countries of Southeast Asia. Vietnamese music
shows signs of Indian influences, noticeable in improvisation preludes of
chamber music (known as rao in the South and dao in the north) as well as
usage of onomatopoeia in drum playing.

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Traditional and Folk Music
Vietnamese traditional music can be separated into a few major
categories, divided predominantly by the way in which were used in the
people's cultural lives.
Categories of Vietnamese Music
1. Imperial Court Music
The most popular of this
kind is the Nha nhac that
was popularly performed
during the Tran Dynasty to
the Nguyen Dynasty. This
form of classical music is
also performed in honor of
the gods and scholars in
temples. Other classical
music falling into this
category includes the Dai
Nhac (great music) and
the Tieu nhac (small Image from vietnamonline.com
music) which was performed as chamber music for the king.

2. Folk Music This


category is extremely
diverse because it
includes music
performed both indoors
and outdoors.
Performers of this
category are also
diverse. They may be
professional musicians
down to the blind artists
in the streets who
perform to earn their
Image from tuoitrenews.vn living.Vietnamese folk
music are performed in different occasions depending on its sub-category.
It may be performed in musical theaters, streets, courtship rituals, and
ceremonies for invoking spirits. They are sometimes also influenced by
Western elements. Some Vietnamese music only makes use of female
singers and some have both male and female singers.

3. Religious and Ceremonial Music This is the music performed in


religious rituals or at funerals.

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Singapore

Merlion

The Republic of Singapore is an independent republic in Southeast


Asia, comprised of one main island and about 50 small adjacent islands off
the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. About three-fourths of the people of
Singapore, known as Singaporeans, are Chinese, but there are significant
Malay, and Indian minorities.

Singapores cultural life reflects its colonization by the British Empire


and its diverse population. Being the melting pot of different cultures in Asia,
folk music of this country reflects the culture and traditions of specific groups.

The ethnic groups which made a prominent place in the musical world
of Singapore have been Chinese, Indian Malays, and Tamils. Other minority
Asian ethnic groups which have also made a mark in the folk culture of
Singapore are the Cantonese, Hokkien, and Malay Bangwasan.

Through the years, the music industry in Singapore grew having


Western-influenced performances by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra as
well as ethnic music performances mainly by the Singapore Chinese
Orchestra. Other performing groups with Malay and Indian influence are still
prevalent until today.

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Thats Southeast Asian music! Isnt it
amazing how rich their culture is? Arent you
proud that our country is part of this Asian region?

It is time to learn how to perform Southeast


Asian music! But first, let us see if you can
describe Southeast Asia in your own words. Do
the following activities on your own.

ACTIVITY 3
In your notebook, write words that describe Southeast Asian music that
start with the letters spelled out as Southeast Asia.

S ______________________________________________
O ______________________________________________
U ______________________________________________
T_______________________________________________
H_______________________________________________

E_______________________________________________
A_______________________________________________
S_______________________________________________
T_______________________________________________

A_______________________________________________
S_______________________________________________
I________________________________________________
A_______________________________________________

ACTIVITY 4

On a sheet of paper, write the country which is associated with the


following words.

__________1. Khene __________6. Hsaing Waing


__________2. Nha Nhac __________7. Saung Gauk
__________3. Gamelan __________8. Kulintang
__________4. Pinpeat __________9. Mahori
__________5. Piphat __________10. Orchestra

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Good job! Youve finished
answering the individual activities.
To know more about Southeast
Asian performances, you may follow the
online links.

Resources

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IdleRSML-o Ranad (Traditional Thai Music


Instruments)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=S4rUVL81bZI&feature=endscreen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGhcbyhBxXo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13CPOuYEOK4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4cVualDqgE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvLt7UaZYZ8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqDWbNS74Ac

Laos Traditional Song


Song sung by man of this village. The description of the song given to
me was "December is coming. Should we get married to stay warm?

Resources

International Folk Songs. (1997) Hal Leonard


Anderson, William and Campbell, Patricia. (1996). Multicultural Perspectives
in Music Education, 2nd ed., Virginia, USA: MENC.
Eugenio, Damiana. (1998). Anthology of Philippine Literature. Manila: Dela
Salle University Press.
Eugenio, Damiana. (2008). Anthology of Philippine Literature, 2 nd ed. Quezon
City: University of the Philippines Press.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Thailand
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Cambodia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Myanmar
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Laos

33
Now, it is time to experience Southeast Asian
music! Some musical ensembles in Southeast
Asia have singers performing with them.
Remember the songs we asked you about in
the Pre-assessment? Let us see if we can sing
and perform some of the songs.

PART II: WHAT TO PROCESS


ACTIVITY 5: Teacher-Assisted
Watch videos and listen to some songs from Indonesia and Malaysia.
With the guidance of your teacher, learn how to sing the two songs.

Burung Kakatua
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTCFS0pgBps&feature=related
Burung Kakatua The Cockatoo
(Bahasa Indonesia) (English )

Burung kakatua The cockatoo


Hinggap di jendela Sits on the window sill
Nenek sudah tua My grandmother is already old
Giginya tinggal dua And she only has two teeth

Tredung, tredung, tredung tra la la Tredung, tredung, tredung tra la la


Tredung, tredung, tredung tra la la Tredung, tredung, tredung tra la la
Tredung, tredung, tredung tra la la Tredung, tredung, tredung tra la la
Tredung, tredung, tredung tra la la Tredung, tredung, tredung tra la la
Burung kakatua Burung kakatua

Giginya tinggal dua She only has two teeth left


Nenek sudah tua Grandma is already old
Hinggap di jendela She sits on the the window sill
Seperti kakatua! Like the cockatoo!

Tredung, tredung, tredung tra la la Tredung, tredung, tredung tra la la


Tredung, tredung, tredung tra la la Tredung, tredung, tredung tra la la
Tredung, tredung, tredung tra la la Tredung, tredung, tredung tra la la
Tredung, tredung, tredung tra la la Tredung, tredung, tredung tra la la
Burung kakatua Burung kakatua

34
35
Rasa Sayang
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=MQnSM7_kss
M

Rasa Sayang Ive Got That Loving Feeling


(Malay) (Literal English translation)

Rasa sayang hey! Ive got that loving feeling hey!


Rasa sayang sayang hey! Ive got that loving feeling hey!
Hey lihat nona jauh See that girl in the distance
Rasa sayang sayang hey! Ive got that loving feeling hey!

Buah cempedak di luar The cempedak tree is across


pagar the fence
Ambil galah tolong jolokkan Please take a stick and poke it
Saya budak baru belajar down for me
Kalau salah tolong tunjukkan Im just a new guy trying to learn
So if Im wrong then please tell
Pulau pandan jauh ke me
tengah
Gunung daik bercabang tiga Pandan island far in midst
Hancur badan dikandung With the three peaked Daik
tanah mountain
Budi yang baik dikenang While the body decomposes in
juga earth
Good deeds remain to be
Dua tiga kucing berlari remembered
Mana sama si kucing belang
Dua tiga boleh ku cari Two or three cats are running
Mana sama abang seorang around
With the striped one which can
Pisang emas dibawa vie
berlayar Two or three men woo I may
Masak sebiji di atas peti Which of them with you can vie
Hutang emas boleh dibayar
Hutang budi dibawa mati. Pisang emas brought on a
journey
One ripens on a box
If gold is owed, it can be repaid
But if it is gratitude, it is carried
to the grave.

36
37
Were you able to sing the two songs
just like the Indonesians and Malaysians?

Its time to learn how to accompany


the songs.

ACTIVITY 6: Group

1. Form a rhythmic instrumental ensemble using improvised instruments or


any available musical instruments that sound like instruments from
Southeast Asia. You may use metal discs that sound like gongs,
bamboo flutes, guitars, piano keyboards, etc.

2. Perform the songs again using the available instruments in your group.

ACTIVITY 7: Individual Activity

Sing the song Bahay Kubo or accompany it using an improvised musical


instrument. Your accompaniment should imitate the rhythmic patterns heard
in the music of Southeast Asia.

What is easier for you, singing Southeast


Asian songs or playing improvised
instruments?

In the next part, you will be able to check


if you have fully understood what Southeast
Asian music is about. Let us see if you can
analyze some of the sample music.

38
Part III: WHAT TO REFLECT AND UNDERSTAND
NOTE:
Music sheets of the songs in the following activities are on the next two
pages.

ACTIVITY 8: Teacher-Assisted

Loi Loi Krathong is an example of a folk song from Thailand. Visit


www.youtube.com to watch the video presentation or listen to the sample
music provided by your teacher to answer the questions given. Write your
answers in your notebook.
1. Describe the voice quality.
2. How was the music performed?
3. Is the performance style effective in bringing about the message?
4. How were the varied musical elements used in bringing about the
message of the music?

ACTIVITY 9: Pair Work 1


Using the music sheet and table as your guide, listen to the ways the
music was performed. In a cartolina or manila paper, write the differences and
similarities of the performing styles as observed by your group or partner.

http://www.youtube.co http://www.youtube.com http://www.youtube.com/w


Characteristic m/watch?v=XV1KOwF /watch?v=LEEey0G_aC atch?v=1q06n7OOdEY
1pUo 4&feature=related Chan Mali Chan
Chan Mali Chan Chan Mali Chan Marsiling Chinese
(Lagu Rakyat) The Stylers (1982) Orchestra
Background
/ Function
Tempo
Meter
Tonality
Texture
Form

39
40
41
ACTIVITY 10: PAIR WORK 2

Your class will be divided into two groups. Each group will be given five
minutes to discuss and share ideas about the characteristics of Javanese and
Balinese gamelan. Each group will use graphic organizers as illustrated below
or make their own organizer to present ideas effectively.

42
ACTIVITY 11

Listen to the song Ru Con. Analyze the song by answering the


questions that follow. You may access the music sample through
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2BCBrHE-dw.

Draw and sing the scale used in the song Ru Con:

QUESTIONS
1. What scale is used in this song?
2. What feeling is being conveyed upon hearing the song?
3. How is it similar to the Filipino song Sa Ugoy ng Duyan?

43
ACTIVITY 12
Gamelan is very popular in Indonesia. It is similar to the kulintang of
the Philippines. On a sheet of paper, make a diagram that can describe both
musical ensembles. Use the following as your guide.

Are you ready to share what you know


about Southeast Asian music? You may choose
any of the two activities that would suit you.

PART IV: WHAT TO TRANSFER


ACTIVITY 13: Sing It! Move It!
Your teacher will organize you into five groups. Each group will sing one
Southeast Asian song either learned from class or through research. Enhance
your group performance with the use of improvised musical instruments as
accompaniments and incorporate body movements. Please refer to the
following criteria. Before performing, explain your answers to the following
questions:
1. Describe how a musical element reflects the culture of each country.
2. What is the difference between the traditional and contemporary folk
songs of Southeast Asia?

Criteria 5 4 3 2 1
Correct expression and style
Accurate rhythm
Appropriateness of accompaniment and
movements
Correct pitch
Sensitive phrasing
Well-defined dynamic level
Creativity

44
Rubric for Designing an Instrument Substitute

Basic Developing Approaching Proficient


Proficiency
Inappropriate; Most materials Many Appropriate and
Messy and are appropriate; materials are creatively
incomplete Decorated but appropriate; modified
materials; messy; Decorated, materials;
Sound quality Neat but fragile; neat; Sound Decorated within
lacks similarity Sound quality quality almost the context of the
with that of the somewhat similar to that instrument;
original similar but not of the original Neat and
instrument. exactly similar to instrument. durable; Sound
that of the quality most
original similar to that of
instrument. the original
instrument.

ACTIVITY 14: Individual / Pair

Make a scrapbook of Southeast Asian musical instruments. Carefully


organize the pictures in your scrapbook and include a brief description about
each instrument. Refer to the following assessment rubric for the criteria.
Rubric for the Scrapbook
Points 4 3 2 1 Earned
Assessment
Advanced Approaching Developing Beginner Self Tea
Proficiency cher
Content Information is Main points Some main Information
complete and are covered points and is not
is enhanced by but lack details are complete
accurate and some details. missing. and are
appropriate greatly
details. lacking in
details.
Visuals (i.e., Most visuals More and Very little
pictures, are adequate better pictorial
photographs, and visuals representati
or other similar appropriate; could be on is
devices) add to Captions are used; present;
overall relevant. Captions Captions
effectiveness only are
of the identify and incomplete.
scrapbook; label rather
Captions are than
relevant and explain.
explanatory.

45
Points 4 3 2 1 Earned
Assessment
Advanced Approaching Developing Beginner Self Tea
Proficiency cher
Space, shapes Design Shows There is no
and colors elements evidence of consideratio
provide and use of n of design
information principles some elements
themselves used are design and
and add to the adequate. elements principles.
overall and
effectiveness principles.
of scrapbook.
All sources are The Sufficient The list of
properly and minimum number/typ sources is
thoroughly number/type es of inadequate
cited; the s of sources sources in number /
number / types are present are lacking; types and
of sources are and are cited not all format of
exceeded. properly. citations items.
are
formatted
properly.
Theme There is Most of the Only a The whole
wholeness information portion of scrapbook
about the relate to the the is confusing
scrapbook; the theme of the information and/ or
theme is scrapbook. relates to inconsistent.
consistent The cover is the theme
throughout. relevant to of the
The cover the contents. scrapbook.
clearly The cover
identifies the is unclear
theme. in its
message.
Overall The All the Only some Few of the
effectiv requirements requirements of the assignment
eness of the of the assignment requirement
assignment assignment requiremen s have been
have been have been ts are met. The
exceeded. The fulfilled. The fulfilled. presentation
scrapbook is scrapbook is The as a whole
very creative neat and scrapbook lacks
and presentable. lack neatness.
interesting. neatness.

46
SUMMARY
The music of Southeast Asia has been present since the 2nd to 3rd
century BC. Music is an important part of their lives because they use it for
rituals, ceremonies, courting, and entertainment.

Instruments in Southeast Asia can be classified according to the


Hornbostel-Sachs classification. Most of the instruments are percussive with
an exception of some aerophones and chordophones. Each countrys musical
instruments and even some songs are somewhat similar to each other due to
their history of trading and migration.

Songs from Southeast Asia commonly use pentatonic (5-tone) scales


or heptatonic (7-tone) scales.

Glossary

Aerophone any musical instrument that produces sound primarily by


causing a body of air to vibrate

Chordophone any musical instrument that makes sound by way of a


vibrating string or strings stretched between two points

Form the structure of a musical composition

Idiophone any musical instrument which creates sound primarily by way of


the instrument vibrating by itself

Kulintang an ancient instrumental form of music composed on a row of


small, horizontally-laid gongs that function melodically, accompanied by
larger, suspended gongs and drums

Membranophone any musical instrument which produces sound primarily


by way of a vibrating stretched membrane

Meter the pattern of beats that combines to form musical rhythm

Rasa Sayang a song that literally means "loving feeling." This Malay folk
song is popular in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore.

Tempo the speed or pace of a given piece of music

Texture the effect of the different components of a piece of music such as


melody, harmony rhythm, or the use of different instruments

Timbre the quality or color of tone of an instrument or voice

47
Tonality the relationship between the notes and chords of a passage or
work that tends to establish a central note or harmony as its focal point

References
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTCFS0pgBps&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=MQnSM7_kssM
http://cmtk3.webring.org/l/rd?ring=indoring;id=7;url=https%3A%2F%2Ffanyv88.com%3A443%2Fhttp%2Fwww%2Emam
alisa%2Ecom%2F%3Fp%3D532%26t%3Dec%26c%3D73
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rasa_Sayang
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1AiCTJ9t8g
http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=3vezWaMh3M0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmlAZxha8Pw

Encarta Encyclopaedia
Notation in Vietnamese court music
http://www.vnmusicologyinst.vnn.vn/english/information/bai_HTkyamtrongANCD_7_
08.htm
Share the Music: McMillan/McGraw-Hill Publishing Company New York
Ru Con:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2BCBrHE-dw

48
49
INTRODUCTION
In this unit, you will learn about:

the prominent features of the vocal and instrumental music of East


Asian countries (Japan, China, and Korea);

how the music of Japan, China, and Korea reflect the different aspects
of East Asian culture through its timbre, rhythm, melody, texture, and
form / style; and

the different cultural and musical practices of Japan, China, and Korea
as expressed through their feelings towards each other, to the
environment, their history, and culture.

50
OBJECTIVES

At the end of this module, you are expected to:

identify through music listening the characteristics of East Asian music


(Japan, China, and Korea) in relation to their history and culture

identify similarities and differences of the music of East Asia

describe how the musical elements reflect East Asian culture

analyze representative songs from East Asia and describe how the
musical elements are used

compare and classify the musical instruments

sing accurately representative songs from East Asia simulating their


singing style

play / improvise simple melodic and rhythmic accompaniments to


selected East Asian music

perform the improvised musical composition using musical instruments


or sound sources that can be used to produce sounds that are similar
to the sound of East Asian music with the awareness of its musical
elements and style

evaluate the quality of your own performances and others


performances and improvisations of East Asian music using developed
criteria

evaluate music and music performances of East Asian countries


applying knowledge of musical elements and style

51
PRE-ASSESSMENT

From the pictures of costumes, folk symbols, artworks, scenery,


and other aspects of culture of the East Asian countries (Japan, China, and
Korea), identify the origin of the objects. Write your answers on your
notebook.

52
53
54
55
LEARNING GOALS AND TARGETS

At the end of this unit,

I would like to know about


________________________________________________.

I would like to be able to


________________________________________________.

I would like to understand


________________________________________________.

I would like to perform


________________________________________________.

Good job! Youre done


writing your goals for Unit 2.

Its time to move on to our


lessons.

Remember to look back at


your pre-assessment activities
and check if you were able to
learn the things that you were not
able to answer before. Turn to the
next page.

56
PART I: WHAT TO KNOW

ACTIVITY 1: Graffiti Wall

Using colorful markers or crayons and large poster paper, create an


attractive design of a Graffiti Wall showing what you know about Japan,
China, and Korea. Throughout the unit, you may write, draw, or add pictures
showing additional information gained from the lesson.

57
ACTIVITY 2: Music Listening / Video Presentation

Listen to / watch examples of traditional instrumental and vocal music


of Japan, China, and Korea. For you to understand and enjoy this activity, use
the guide questions provided.

Japan http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tj-37nvWMw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MC29w9iHJbo&feature=related

China http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssjYy9H7dVM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85Fc2amPf34&feature=relmfu

Korea http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6km6PeWEncY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cY1-qCuTZqY&feature=related

QUESTIONS

Based on the videos, answer the following guide questions in your


notebook:

1. Share your impressions about the music you have heard.

2. What instruments are used in the music samples?

3. What mood or feeling does it express?

4. How do the instruments help express the mood of the piece?

5. Is the song fast, slow, or does the tempo vary?

58
ACTIVITY 3: Picture Web

Form a group and make a picture web on the music and culture of
Japan, China, and Korea. Analyze your output using the guide questions after
each section.

Japan

Music Costume
Costume s
s

Art and Crafts


Culture
Costumes

QUESTIONS

1. Relate how these aspects of Japanese culture are influenced by history.

2. How do these pictures show aspects of Japanese culture?

3. What similarities with other East Asian countries can you identify in these
objects?

59
China

Music Costume
Costume s
s

Art and Crafts Culture


Costumes

QUESTIONS

1. Relate how these aspects of Chinese culture are influenced by history.

2. How do these pictures show aspects of Chinese culture?

3. What similarities with other East Asian countries can you identify in these
objects?

60
Korea

Music Costume
Costume s
s

Art and Crafts Culture


Costumes

QUESTIONS

1. Relate how these aspects of Korean culture are influenced by history.

2. How do these pictures show aspects of Korean culture?

3. What similarities with other East Asian countries can you identify in these
objects?

61
ACTIVITY 4: Getting to Know the Culture

Divide yourselves into three groups (Japan, China, and Korea). Each
group will visit a Chinese school, the Japanese Embassy, and a Korean
community. Interview them about their music and culture using the following
guide questions.

How does music reflect the different aspects of their culture?


__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
What is the relevance of music in their society?
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
Identify similarities and differences of your music and culture
with the Philippines.

Present your findings to the class as a group.

Japan China Korea Philippines


Similarities

Differences

62
JAPAN

Through this lesson, you will discover the traditional music of Japan
through their vocal (folk songs) and instrumental music. Japanese vocal
music is quite different from the Western vocal music, and is based on the
intervals of human breathing rather than mathematical timing, and how
Japanese musicians show their spiritual self-mastery in mastering his or her
instrument more than simply perfecting a technique of some sort and how
they give value to their performance and composure.

Instrumental Music of Japan

Traditional Japanese music is basically meditative in character. Its


performance is highly ritualized, as much in the music itself, as in the
composure of the musicians when performing it. Japanese chamber and solo
music have a slow meditative pace.
The performance of Japanese music has traditionally been of a
spiritual character, similarly to martial arts and other forms of art such as the
tea ceremony and calligraphy. It is usually about religious festivals, work,
dance, love, and regional songs. Audiences are looking for this self-mastery
in musicians. This is the reason why music has become highly ritualized.
Musicians must show this spiritual self-mastery in their performance and
composure. They work on an inner strength in mastering his or her
instrument, more than simply perfecting a technique of some sort and
providing entertainment.

63
Japanese Musical Instruments

Percussion Instruments (Membranophone)


Odaiko
1. Odaiko (big drum) The physical energy and
sheer excitement of an odaiko performance is
an integral part of many Japanese matsuri
(festivals). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=gkeqlQeyqK0

2. Tsuzumi (hourglass-shape)
There are two varieties, the
smaller kotsuzumi and the larger
otsuzumi. They are used in both
Tsuzumi
noh and kabuki performances.
The kotsuzumi is held on the
right shoulder and the player alters the tone by squeezing the laces.
The otsuzumi is placed on the left thigh. Like all other traditional arts in
Japan, there are several schools of tsuzumi matsuri (festivals).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDq2y2Jq9PA&feature=related

3. Tsuridaiko a large hanging barrel drum

Tsuridaiko

64
Taiko 4. Taiko is a Japanese drum that
comes in various sizes and is used to
play a variety of musical genres. It has
become particularly popular in recent
years as the central instrument of
percussion ensembles whose repertory
is based on a variety of folk and festival
music of the past.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zSa6Zz2Zrs&feature=related

String Instruments (Chordophone)

Koto
1. Koto is a 13-string zither,
about two meters long and
made of Paulownia wood. It
is plucked using picks on the
thumb and first two fingers
of the right hand, while the
left hand can be used to
modify pitch and tone. Koto
is used in an ensemble in gagaku or as a solo instrument.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L24Nb4CJzV4&feature=related

2. Shamisen is a plucked
Shamisen stringed instrument. Its
construction follows a model
similar to that of a guitar or a
banjo, employing a neck, and
strings stretched across a
resonating body. The neck of
the shamisen is fretless, and is
slimmer than that of a guitar or
a banjo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5rs7pfZuPs

65
3. Biwa is a Japanese short- Biwa
necked fretted lute, often
used in narrative
storytelling. The biwa is the
chosen instrument of
Benten, the goddess of
music, eloquence, poetry,
and education in Japanese
Shinto.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7s-wXZWT5o&feature=related

Wind Instruments (Aerophone)

Shakuhachi
n
1. Shakuhachi the most famous
flute made from bamboo. It has four
or five finger holes on the front face
and a thumbhole on the rear face. As
with other instruments above, it was
imported from China for gagaku.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZE8WTIB4kP0

Nokan
1. Nokan a parallel, bamboo flute
(fue) is the only melodic instrument
used in noh. The melody of the flute
has no specific pitch relationship with
the melody of the chanting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nOATkFsBOQ&feature=related

66
Hichiriki

2. Hichiriki is a double reed Japanese flute (fue) used as one of two


main melodic instruments in Japanese gagaku music, the other being
the ryteki. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYdCt9XbA8w

Sho

3. Sho is a Japanese free reed musical instrument that was introduced


from China during the Nara period.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYdCt9XbASho
8whttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUpr1F1dZt0&feature=related

67
Shinobue

4. Shinobue is also called takebue in the context of Japanese


traditional arts. It is a Japanese transverse flute or fue that has a high-
pitched sound. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57jwbZbQDpU

Ryuteki

5. Ryteki literally "dragon flute" is a Japanese transverse fue made of


bamboo. It is used in gagaku.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7lQb4Nx3Sg

68
China

For several thousand years Chinese culture was dominated by the


teachings of the philosopher Confucius. He conceived music in the highest
sense as a means of calming the passion and of dispelling unrest and lust,
rather than as a form of amusement.

Traditionally, the Chinese believed that sound influences the harmony


of the universe. Significantly, one of the most important duties of the first
emperor of each new dynasty was to search out and establish that dynastys
through standard of pitch. A result of this philosophical orientation was that
the Chinese theoretically opposed music performed solely for entertainment.

69
Chinese Musical Instruments

Listening / Film Viewing

Watch and listen to a musical video clip about the instruments of


China. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBeiYrJo9WE

1. Yueqin a moon-shaped lute with shorter neck and four strings, played
with a spectrum, used for accompanying local operas.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrttPkk8f38

1. Pipa a four-stringed lute with 30 frets and a pear-shaped body. This


instrument has an extremely wide dynamic range and remarkable
expressive power. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZmAgFyVo48

70
2. Erhu a two-stringed fiddle and one of the most popular Chinese
instruments. It is used as a solo instrument as well as in small
ensembles or large orchestra, and by various ethnic groups.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rm7NodUdEks&feature=related

3. Yunluo literally "cloud gongs" or "cloud of gongs, the yunluo is a set


of ten small tuned gongs mounted in a wooden frame. The yunluo's
gongs are generally of equal diameter but different thickness. The
thicker gongs produce a higher pitch.

71
4. Sheng also called as Chinese mouth organ and looks like a set of
panpipes with 12 to 36 bamboo pipes. Each pipe is of different length
with a brass reed at the bottom and a hole that must be blocked in
order for the note to sound. This makes it possible to sound several
notes simultaneously, so chords and melody can be performed at the
same time. Sheng is one of the oldest Chinese musical instruments.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iR-KrbeFs0&feature=related

72
5. Dizi is the traditional Chinese flute. It can have a membrane over an
extra hole to give the characteristic rattle effect. The player plays the
dizi by blowing across the mouthpiece and produces the different notes
by stopping the six holes found in the rod.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9LRN5naG4s&feature=fvwrel

6. Zheng an ancient Chinese instrument that has an arched surface


and an elongated-trapezoid with 13 to 21 strings stretched over
individual bridges. Its playing range spans three to four octaves.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsCAw-ilf_c&feature=related

7. Pengling These are two small bells made of high-tin bronze, without
internal clappers, and hemispheric or bottomless gourd-like in shape.
The instrument has a delicate, clarion and melodious tone. It is a
coloring rhythmic instrument, either in ensembles or in theater music,
bringing an effect of peaceful dreams.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeNRwIFoZR0

73
Korea

Korea's folk music tradition, with its generous use of bright rhythms
and melodies, offers a more energetic and capricious contrast to the nation's
collection of classical music works. Folk music represents the soul and sound
of traditional Korean villages with an eclectic array of music forms including
numerous folk songs, various forms of instrumental pieces, pansori, and
shaman ritual music.

Chong-ak means literally "right (or correct) music" and its tradition
includes both instrumental and vocal music, which were cultivated mainly by
the upper-class literati of the Joseon society. Chong-ak also refers to
ensemble music for men of high social status outside of the court. In this
category, three important terms are a-ak, tang-ak, and hyang-ak.

Sog-ak or minsogak is a category of Korean music traditionally


associated with the lower classes or for the general public and are vibrant and
energetic. It includes genres such as pansori and minyo. Pansori is a kind of
music presented to audiences by skilled vocal singers and drummers. But
even the unskilled could sing these songs. They sang when they worked in
the rice paddy or fields, sang when they went off with their lover, and sang
when their life was troubled and weighing them down.

74
Instrumental Music of Korea

Korean music, especially in South Korea, has a rich vocal tradition and
diverse instruments and music forms. Folk songs, religious works, court
music, and shaman rituals all express the soul of a nation whose history is
filled with colorful and fascinating tales. Traditional Korean music represents a
world of captivating rhythms and melodies whose sounds draw listeners in
like a breath. Koreans sang songs when they could not hold their sadness in.

Traditional Korean instruments can be broadly divided into three


groups: string, wind, and percussion instruments.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZZtzYD2MK8

ACTIVITY 5: Listening

Find a partner and prepare a pen and a paper for this activity. Listen to
recordings of different instruments of Korea. Each recording should last about
30 seconds to 1 minute. Here are the questions to be answered:

Classify the instrument heard into string, percussion, or wind.


What kind of feeling or mood does it express?

Examples:

1. Changgo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8wHBwyofLw

2. Haegum http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7ZeSumH004

3. Komunggo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZZAsbAzx6M

4. Kayagum http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNR-_hH_qOM

5. Piri http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fq8R-SPyHUM&feature=related

75
Korean Musical Instuments
String Instruments
1. Kayagum (gayageum) is
a traditional Korean zither-
like string instrument, with
12 strings, although more
recently variants have been
constructed with 21 or more
numbers of strings. It is
probably the best-known
traditional Korean musical
instrument.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFe8nHQottI
2. Geomungo this six-string
plucked zither is a traditional
Korean stringed musical
instrument of the zither family of
instruments with both bridges and
frets. Scholars believe that the
name refers to goguryeo and
translates to goguryeo zither or
that it refers to the color that
translates to "black crane zither."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZZAsbAzx6M

2. Haegum (two-string vertical fiddle) has


a rod-like neck, a hollow wooden
soundbox, two silk strings, and is held
vertically on the knee of the performer
and played with a bow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsyIvJg_Dh8&feature=related

76
Wind Instrument

Piri used in both the folk and classical (court) music of Korea. It is made
of bamboo. Its large reed and cylindrical bore gives it a sound
mellower than that of many other types of oboe.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MWuIb_BqXA&feature=related

Percussion Instrument

Changgo is the most widely used drum in the traditional music of Korea.
It is available in most kinds, and consists of an hourglass-shaped body
with two heads made from animal skin. The two heads produce sounds
of different pitch and timbre, which when played together are believed
to represent the harmony of man and woman.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXrcY-tXiv4

77
PART II: WHAT TO PROCESS

After listening and watching videos and recordings of traditional


instrumental and vocal music of Japan, China, and Korea, we can easily say
that the different cultural and musical practices of East Asia are revealed
through the musical elements used.
Vocal Timbre nasal and throaty
Rhythm duple, triple, quadruple
Melody pentatonic scale, diatonic scale
Texture monophony (a capella); homophony (with chordal
accompaniment); heterophony (same melody but ornamented
by several instruments)
Form Strophic (using the same tune on different verses)

Vocal Music of Japan


The main tone of Japanese music has two modes: the Yo-sen and the
In-sen. Both consist of five primary tones based on a scale with seven tones.
The two remaining tones are considered as auxiliary tones. The ancient
melody of Japanese music is commonly based on these modes. However,
one melody is not always in one mode alone. The melody of Japanese music
commonly shifts on both modes. They often give emphasis on the second or
fourth tone of the mode.

Yo-sen mode

In-sen mode

78
ACTIVITY 6: Song Analysis

Sing the yo-sen scale and the song Sakura. Analyze the different
musical elements used.

Sakura or Cherry Blossoms is a


traditional Japanese folk song
depicting spring, the season of
cherry blossoms.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IK
TRnO7SV68

Sakura Cherry Blossoms

Sakura sakura Cherry blossoms, cherry


yayoi no sorawa blossoms,
mi-watasukagiri Across the spring sky,
kasumika kumoka As far as you can see.
nioizo izuru Is it a mist or clouds?
izaya zaya Fragrant in the air.
mini yukan Come now, come,
Lets look, at last.

79
80
QUESTIONS

Answer the following. Do this in your notebook.

1. What is the message and function of the song?

_______________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________ .

2. Describe how the musical elements reflect Japanese culture.

Musical Elements

Timber

Dynamics

Rhythm

Melody

Form

3. Based on your answers, what can you conclude from the musical
elements in the song in relation to the characteristics of Japanese
music?
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

81
ACTIVITY 7

After singing Sakura let us listen to a traditional Chinese song Mo Li


Hua http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=za-V_2FBpTU

Mo Li Hua

Mo Li Hua is a traditional Chinese song with a beautifully gentle and


lyrical melody. The lyrics about the jasmine flower also turn it into a love song.
The song describes a custom of giving jasmine flowers, popular in the
southern Yangtze Delta region of China. Another version describes the fear
of plucking the flower.

Translation

What a beautiful jasmine flower


What a beautiful jasmine flower
Sweet-smelling, beautiful, stems full of buds
Fragrant and white, everyone praises
Let me pluck you down
Give to someone's family
Jasmine flower, oh jasmine flower.

82
Melody and tone color are prominent expressive features of Chinese
music and great emphasis is given to the proper articulation and inflection of
each musical tone. Most Chinese music is based on the 5-tone or the
pentatonic scale though heptatonic scale is also used.

Play the pentatonic scale (do-re-mi-so-la) on the piano keyboard, lyre,


or guitar. Hum the pentatonic scale using loo.

Describe the folk song through the use of its musical elements.

Musical Elements Description

Timbre
Rhythm
Meter
Melody
Harmony
Texture
Form

How did the varied musical elements bring out the message of the
song?

What is the function and message of the song?

Describe how the musical elements reflect Chinese culture.

83
ACTIVITY 8

Listen to one of Koreas famous folk songs, Arirang.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkM_LXUCMeA&feature=related

Arirang is a Korean folk song. It is sometimes used as a symbol of


Korea and Korean culture. Arirang is in essence a song of farewell. The word
Arirang means the hill. It pertains to the foothills of Korea where most
Koreans had partings on. An emotion of deep regret is imbued in the rhythm
of Arirang. The song evokes the feeling of the tears shed by Koreans and the
remembrance of their sad stories.

Arirang

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Arirang

Arirang, arirang, arariyo ...


Arirang gogaero neommeoganda.
Nareul beorigo gasineun nimeun
Simrido motgaseo balbbyeongnanda.

English Translation

Arirang arirang arariyo


Crossing over Arirang Pass
Dear who abandoned me
will not even walk even ten Li before his/her feet hurt.

QUESTIONS

Answer the following. Do this in your notebook.

1. What is the message and function of the song?

_________________________________________________________

2. What instruments were used in the music as heard in the song?

_________________________________________________________

3. Describe how the musical elements reflect the culture of Korea?

_________________________________________________________

4. Describe the folk songs through the use of its musical elements.
Musical Elements Description

Timbre

Dynamics

Rhythm

Melody

Form

5. Based on your answers, what can you conclude from the musical
elements in the songs?
_____________________________________________________

85
ACTIVITY 9

Sing the folk songs learned based on the following criteria:

Clear tone quality


Correct expression and style
Correct pitch and correct rhythm

ACTIVITY 10: Express Yourself

On an oslo paper, draw a creative illustration on the relationship of


man and nature as reflected in the three folk songs you have learned.

Present and describe your illustration to the class.

Criteria for Critique: Critical, insightful, and revealing

ACTIVITY 11: Listening / Film Viewing

Watch and listen to musical video clips of the instruments of Japan.


You can choose from the sample videos provided.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8AiZgpIGE4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uO9Mo0WUb4&feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNmXNc95ncU&feature=related

ACTIVITY 12: Compare and Classify

From the video clips you have seen, identify the country of origin of
each instrument and classify each using the Hornbostel-Sachs classification.

Hornbostel-
Musical Instruments Name of
Sachs
Country
Classification

86
Hornbostel-
Musical Instruments Name of
Sachs
Country
Classification

87
Hornbostel-
Musical Instruments Name of
Sachs
Country
Classification

88
ACTIVITY 13: Guessing Game

Form a circle and sit down. A box with different pictures of instruments
and other musical terms written in folded papers will be passed around. Each
one of you will pick one paper and describe the picture or term you got.
Explain how the different pictures or terms were used to reflect the music of
East Asia.

PART III: WHAT TO REFLECT AND UNDERSTAND


ACTIVITY 14: Sharing

Form a circle and sit down. A box with different pictures of instruments
and other musical terms written in folded papers will be passed around. Each
one of you will pick one paper and discuss the importance of the instrument to
the lives of the people from that country.

What do you feel when you hear this instrument?

ACTIVITY 15

Group yourselves into three. From the folk songs that you have heard,
create movements that would interpret the message, idea, or feeling of the
song as applied to East Asian folk music.

Rubric

5 Demonstrates well-developed ability to interpret ideas and feelings and


translate movement

4 Demonstrates considerable ability to interpret ideas and translate into


movement

3 Demonstrates some ability to interpret ideas and translate into


movement

2 Demonstrates limited ability to interpret ideas and translate into


movement

1 Needs improvement

89
ACTIVITY 16

The teacher will divide the class into three groups (for Japan, China,
and Korea). Each group will create or improvise a musical instrument from
each country assigned like drums (taiko), metal bells, pan pipes, cymbals,
and chimes, from found objects in the environment such as aluminum
containers, strings, bamboo, or plastic pipes. These instruments can be used
in the next activity.

PART IV: WHAT TO TRANSFER


ACTIVITY 17: Musical Composition / Performance

In this activity, you will improvise and perform a musical composition


with simple rhythmic patterns and melody using improvised musical
instruments / instruments that are similar to the sound of instruments of
Japan. This activity will develop your musical awareness and appreciation of
East Asian music.

Requirements

1. Improvised musical instrument or any instrument that is similar to the


sound of the instruments of Japan, China, and Korea. Examples are
bongos (taiko), bamboo flutes (shinobue, piri), and guitars played by
plucking only (biwa, shamisen, pipa)
2. blackboard
3. chalk
4. sheets of paper
5. pens

Create three groups (for Japan, China, and Korea). Have each group use
their instruments to produce sounds depicting the music of each country while
singing their folk song. The group will write their sound as if they were
creating a musical score, this could serve as a memory aid. Groups can do
the notation in notes, words, or symbols. Here is an example of what the
score might look like if a group has three instruments and voices.

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Musical Score

Bongos

Bamboo flute

Guitar

Voice oohh Sakura, sakura ...

Rubric for Musicianship

5 Includes very original idea, unusual or imaginative musical ideas


Explores and uses at least two musical elements

4 Involves some original aspect(s) or manipulation(s) of musical


idea(s)
Explores and uses at least one musical element

3 Musical idea is neither familiar nor a clich


However, there is no development, variety, or exploration of
musical elements

2 Musical idea is familiar or a clich


No variety or exploration of musical elements (range, timbre,
dynamics, tempo, rhythm, melody)

1 Musicianship could be improved

91
SUMMARY

Japan
Japanese vocal music is quite different from
the Western vocal music, and is based on the
intervals of human breathing rather than
mathematical timing, and how Japanese
musicians show their spiritual self-mastery in
mastering his or her instrument more than simply
perfecting a technique of some sort and how they
give value to their performance and composure.

Traditional Japanese music is basically


meditative in character. Its music and
performance are highly ritualized, as is the
composure of the musicians when performing it.
Japanese chamber music and solo music have a
slow meditative pace and use concrete elements, which serve to represent
natural sounds and the sounds of life. The main tone of Japanese music has
two modes: the yo-sen and the in-sen. Both consist of five primary tones
based on a scale with seven tones. Japanese music has three general types
of instruments percussion instruments (odaiko, tsuzumi, shoko, tsuridaiko,
taiko), string instruments (koto, shamisen, biwa), and wind instruments
mostly flutes (shakuhachi, nokan, sho, hichiriki). Compared to our music,
Japanese music is very simple. They sing melodies in unison and they never
repeat the same melody in a song.

China

Chinese vocal music has traditionally been sung in a thin,


non-resonant voice, or in falsetto.
Chinese vocal music is usually solo rather than choral.
All traditional Chinese music is melodic rather than
harmonic.
Chinese music uses the pentatonic scale as can be heard in
the song Mo Li Hua.
Xiaodiao, or short tunes, are popular music in Chinese
urban areas.

92
Chinese musical instruments are classified according to the materials
by which they are made: animal skins, gourd, bamboo, wood, silk,
earth / clay, metal, and stone.

Pipa is a four-stringed lute with a pear-shaped body. It has an


extremely wide dynamic range and remarkable expressive power.

Erhu is a two-stringed fiddle and one of the most popular Chinese


instruments.

Dizi is the traditional Chinese flute.

Pengling are two small bells used as a coloring instrument either in


ensembles or in theater music because they produce a peaceful
dream effect.

Sheng is a Chinese mouth organ, with 12 to 36 bamboo pipes. It


produces several notes simultaneously, so chords and melody can be
performed at the same time. It is also one of the oldest Chinese
musical instruments.

Korea

Korean music has a slow tempo, giving it a very


peaceful and pensive character.

Chong-ak has a literal meaning of music for


the noble classes.

Arirang is a Korean folk song used as a symbol


of Korea and Korean culture. It evokes the feeling of
the tears shed by Koreans and the remembrance of
sad stories specifically partings.

Sog-ak or minsogak is a category of Korean music traditionally


associated with the lower classes or for the general public and it is
vibrant and energetic.

Pansori is a kind of music presented to audiences by skilled vocal


singers and drummers.

93
Kayagum is a traditional Korean zither-like string instrument with 12
strings, probably the best known traditional Korean musical instrument.

Haegum is a two-string vertical fiddle with a rod-like neck and a hollow


wooden sound box.

Changgo is the most widely used drum used in the traditional music of
Korea.

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT

I. Choose the correct answer: Write the letters only on the space provided.

_____1. How is Chinese music described?


a. It is gentle and lyrical.
b. It is slow in tempo and is very peaceful.
c. It is meditative and highly ritualized.
d. It is slow and melancholy.

_____2. Which of the following is one of Chinas most popular instruments?


a. haegum
b. erhu
c. koto
d. shamisen

_____3. What meter is used in the Japanese song Sakura?


a. quadruple
b. triple
c. duple
d. compound

_____4. Which of the following does not belong in the group?


a. tsuzumi
b. odaiko
c. taiko
d. changgo

_____5. Which Korean music category is traditionally associated with the


lower class?
a. tang-ak
b. chong-ak
c. sog-ak
d. a-ak

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_____6. How is the Arirang song classified?
a. welcome song
b. love song
c. song for spring
d. parting song

_____7. What melody is used in the folk song Mo Li Hua?


a. melodic
b. pentatonic
c. diatonic
d. harmonic

_____8. Which Japanese instrument is the counterpart of the kayageum?


a. koto
b. geomungo
c. shamisen
d. zheng

_____9. Which Japanese instrument is called the dragon flute?


a. shimobue
b. hichiriki
c. ryuteki
d. shakuhachi

_____10. Which of the following statements about the changgo is correct?


a. It is a single-headed drum whose tone is altered by squeezing
its laces.
b. It is a Japanese drum that has become the central instrument of
the percussion ensemble.
c. It is large hanging barrel drum.
d. It is an hourglass-shaped double-headed drum made from
animal skin.

95
II. Match each picture with the correct name of the instrument.

a. haegum

b. taiko

c. taiko

d. zheng

e. biwa

96
Glossary

Arirang a Korean folk song used as a symbol of Korea and Korean culture.
It evokes the feeling of the tears shed by Koreans and the remembrance of
sad stories specifically partings.

Biwa a Japanese short-necked fretted lute, often used in narrative


storytelling. The biwa is the chosen instrument of Benten, goddess of music,
eloquence, poetry, and education in Japanese Shinto.

Changgo an hourglass-shaped drum that is played with two hands; the left
hand strikes the left side while the right hand strikes the other side with a stick

Ching a huge gong played by means of a padded stick

Chong-ak has a literal meaning of music for the noble classes

Clarion the sound of such an instrument or any similar sound; clear and
ringing and inspiring

Ensemble a work for two or more vocalists or instrumentalists

Form refers to the overall structure or plan of a piece of music; it describes


the layout of a composition as divided into sections

Gagaku ancient imperial court music and dance; a type of Japanese


classical music that has been performed at the Imperial Court in Kyoto for
several centuries

Haegum a two-stringed plucked instrument made of bamboo

Heterophony a type of texture characterized by the simultaneous variation


of a single melodic line

Hichiriki a double reed Japanese fue (flute) used as one of two main
melodic instruments in Japanese gagaku music, the other being the ryteki.
The hichiriki is difficult to play due in part to its double reed configuration.

Homophony a texture in which two or more parts move together in


harmony, the relationship between them creating chords

97
Idiophone a percussion instrument, such as a cymbal or xylophone, made
of naturally sonorous material

Improvisation a performance given extempore without planning or


preparation; something improvised, especially a musical passage or a
dramatic skit

Kabuki a classical Japanese dance-drama. Kabuki theatre is known for the


stylization of its drama and for the elaborate make-up worn by some of its
performers.

Kayagum an instrument with 12 strings which is also similar to the koto of


Japan and the chin of China

Komunggo a zither that is similar to the koto of Japan. This serves as the
principal instrument for a small group of players.

Koto a 13-string zither, about two meters long and made of Paulownia
wood. It is plucked using picks on the thumb and the first two fingers of the
right hand, while the left hand can be used to modify pitch and tone. Koto is
used in an ensemble in gagaku or as a solo instrument.

Lute a stringed instrument having a body shaped like a pear sliced


lengthwise and a neck with a fretted fingerboard that is usually bent just
below the tuning pegs

Membranophone a musical percussion instrument; usually consists of a


hollow cylinder with a membrane stretched across each end

Minyo the folk song of Japan

Monophony a musical texture that consists of a single melodic line

Nokan a parallel, bamboo flute (fue) which is the only melodic instrument
used in noh. The melody of the flute has no specific pitch relationship with the
melody of the chanting.

Odaiko (big drum) the physical energy and sheer excitement of an odaiko
performance is an integral part of many Japanese matsuri (festivals)

Pansori is a kind of music presented to audiences by skilled vocal singers


and drummers

98
Pentatonic is a musical scale or mode with five notes per octave

Pentatonic scale is a musical scale or mode with five notes per octave in
contrast to a heptatonic (seven-note) scale such as the major scale and minor
scale. Pentatonic scales are very common and are found all over the world.

Piri is a Korean double reed instrument, used in both the folk and classical
(court) music of Korea

Ryteki (literally "dragon flute") is a Japanese transverse fue made of


bamboo. It is used in gagaku, the Shinto classical music associated with
Japan's imperial court.

Sakura (Cherry Blossoms) is a traditional Japanese folk song depicting


spring, the season of cherry blossoms

Shakuhachi the most famous flute made from bamboo. It has four or five
finger holes on the front face and a thumb hole on the rear face. As with other
instruments above, it was imported from China for gagaku.

Shamisen is a plucked stringed instrument. Its construction follows a model


similar to that of a guitar or a banjo, employing a neck, and strings stretched
across a resonating body. The neck of the shamisen is fretless, and is
slimmer than that of a guitar or banjo.

Shinobue a Japanese transverse flute or fue that has a high-pitched sound

Shinto or Shintoism is the indigenous spirituality of Japan and the people


of Japan. It is a set of practices, to be carried out diligently, to establish a
connection between present day Japan and its ancient past.

Sh is a Japanese free-reed musical instrument that was introduced from


China during the Nara period (AD 710 to 794). It is modeled on the Chinese
sheng, although the sh tends to be smaller in size. It consists of 17 slender
bamboo pipes, each of which is fitted in its base with a metal free reed.

Sog-ak or minsogak a category of Korean music traditionally associated


with the lower classes or for the general public and are vibrant and energetic

Strophic the simplest and most durable of musical forms, elaborating a


piece of music by repetition of a single formal section. This may be analyzed
as "A AA."

99
Taiko a Japanese drum that comes in various sizes and is used to play a
variety of musical genres

Texture the way the melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic materials are
combined in a composition thus determining the overall quality of the sound in
a piece

Timbre tone color or tone quality is the quality of a musical note or sound or
tone that distinguishes different types of sound production, such as voices
and musical instruments, string instruments, wind instruments, and
percussion instruments. The physical characteristics of sound that determine
the perception of timbre include spectrum and envelope.

Tone color the timbre of a singing voice or an instrument

Tsuridaiko a large hanging barrel drum

Tsuzumi (hourglass-shape) is of two varieties, the smaller kotsuzumi and


the larger otsuzumi which are used in both noh and kabuki performances.
The kotsuzumi is held on the right shoulder and the player alters the tone by
squeezing the laces. The otsuzumi is played resting on the left thigh. Like all
other traditional arts in Japan, there are several schools of tsuzumi.

References

http://www.mustrad.org.uk/articles/japan.htm
http://www.farsidemusic.com/historyJa.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Taiko_drum.jpg
http://kendrik2.wordpress.com/2007/09/27/pre-assessment-strategies/
http://www.lmu.edu/about/services/academicplanning/assessment/Assessme
nt_Resources/Rubrics/Example_Rubrics/Music_Composition_Example_Rubri
c.htm

https://owa.ocps.net/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.saskschools.ca/
curr_content/constructivism/how/preassessment.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinobue

References on China
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuHMCFYIC9E&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOzG6DWK9vg&feature=related

100
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9M4gca_uLB4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7hdZ5rYd2E&feature=related
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_China
http://worldmusic.nationalgeographic.com/view/page.basic/genre/content.genr
e/chinese_traditional_709/en_US
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentatonic

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Phra_Maha_Chedi_Chai_Mongkol_Naga_em
erging_ from_mouth_of_Makara.jpg

Resources on Korea

http://www.angelfire.com/alt/koreanmusic/index.html
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/CU/CU_EN_8_1_6_1.jsp
http://stereogum.com/983191/the-20-best-k-pop-videos/franchises/listomania/
http://www.korea.net/AboutKorea/Culture-and-the-Arts/UNESCO-Treasures-
in-Korea

Recordings / Videos

Sakura - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chwADnoFDng
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKTRnO7SV68

Taiko- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zSa6Zz2Zrs&feature=related
ODaiko - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkeqlQeyqK0
Tsuzumi- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDq2y2Jq9PA&feature=related
Koto- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L24Nb4CJzV4&feature=related
Shamisen-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5rs7pfZuPs
Shakuhachi-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7s-wXZWT5o&feature=related
Shinobue - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57jwbZbQDpU
Sho and hichiriki - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYdCt9XbA8w
Ryteki-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7lQb4Nx3Sg
Nokan- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nOATkFsBOQ&feature=related

101
Biwa- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZE8WTIB4kP0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_UhaSi46NQ kamunggo video with
explanation - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZzeNjyGs2I
Changgo - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXrcY-tXiv4
Haegum- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsyIvJg_Dh8&feature=related
Komunggo - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZZAsbAzx6M

Kayagum - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFe8nHQottI

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103
INTRODUCTION
Time to travel again! Did you enjoy
learning and experiencing the music of East
Asia? Then let us experience how music is
performed in South, Central, and West Asian
countries. In this module, you will learn things
about vocal and instrumental music of India,
Pakistan, Israel, and West Asian countries.
You will also get a glimpse of their cultural
context, social functions, and performance
styles in their music compositions.

OBJECTIVES

At the end of this unit, you are expected to:

listen to songs from Central, South, and West Asian countries alone
and / or with others
relate Central, South, and West Asian countries music in the lives of
the people
analyze examples of music from Central, South, and West Asian
countries and describe how the elements are used
explain the distinguishing characteristics of representative Central,
South, and West Asian countries music in relation to the culture of the
area
perform using available instruments from Central, South, and West
Asian countries alone and/or with others
improvise simple rhythmic / harmonic accompaniments to music from
selected Central, South, and West Asian countries
explore ways of producing sounds on a variety of sources that would
simulate instruments being studied
sing vocal music from Central, South, and West Asian countries alone
and with others
evaluate music and music performances applying knowledge of
musical elements and styles

104
PRE-ASSESSMENT

Before you start the lesson, let us


find out what you know about South,
Central, and West Asia. Here are some
activities prepared for you. Are you ready?

ACTIVITY 1: Where in the World Is

Materials
blank map and coloring materials

Directions

1. Listen to the different music samples listed below. You may find them
on the internet or let your teacher provide them for you. Match the
music with the Asian region it came from.
2. Color each region with:
Central Asia VIOLET South Asia RED West Asia
GREEN

Carnatic Music Hindustani Music

Punjabi Music Arabic Music

105
Were you able to match the music to its
region?
How about naming the countries in each
region? Can you name them?
In your notebook, make a table similar to
the one shown below and write the names of
the countries that you know in the table.

Central Asia South Asia West Asia

Do you remember vocal music and


instrumental music? As we have discussed in the
previous units, Asia is rich in these two types of
music.

Answer the following activities to check


what you know.

Vocal Music

Asia is a big continent consisting of several countries. Are we going to


study all of them? We cannot, but we can focus on a few representative ones
from each region.

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ACTIVITY 2

Countries are written on the diagram below. On a sheet of paper,


share your ideas about their vocal music. Copy the diagram.

Have you met people from these


countries? Have you heard their
music? Take the time to share your
experiences with your classmates.

Instrumental Music

It was very nice of you to share


your ideas about the vocal music
of the countries above. What
about Asian music instruments?
Are you familiar with the
instruments on the next page?
Name as many as you can!

107
So do you now have an idea of the things
that we will be learning this quarter? Its time to
make your learning goals and specify the things
that you would want to learn about the music of
Central Asia, South Asia, and West Asian
countries. Write your goals in your notebook. Follow
the guide provided.

108
LEARNING GOALS AND TARGETS

At the end of this module,

I would like to know about _________________________.


I would like to be able to do the following:_____________ .
I would like to understand__________________________.
I would like to perform or produce____________________.

Now that you have written your goals for this


quarter, its time for us to officially start the lesson.

PART I: WHAT TO KNOW


Music has always been viewed as a universal language. In the vast
region of Asia, religious music has been a common ground in uniting people
with different languages, cultures, and norms.

109
INDIA

India is the largest country in South Asia. Its music is as vast as its
geographic location and as large as its demographic population. The music of
India reflects different aspects of Asian culture through its timbre, rhythm,
melody, texture, form, and style. In general, Indian music remains
fundamental to the lives of the people of India as a source of spiritual
inspiration, cultural expression, and entertainment.

Galaxy of Musicians by Raja Ravi Varma

Have you ever watched a Hindu


singing or dancing? What is your
impression on their way of singing or
dancing? How important is music to
their daily life?

110
Vocal Music

India's classical music tradition includes Carnatic and Hindustani music


which have developed over many centuries. Music of India also includes
several types of folk and popular music. One aspect of vocal music uses
melismatic singing with nasal vocal quality, when compared with the
Philippine music which uses melismatic singing is only used in chanting epics
and the pasyon.

Singing based on a set of pitches was popular even during the Vedic
times. The samagana style of singing developed into a strong and diverse
tradition over several centuries, becoming an established part of
contemporary tradition in India. The hymns in Sama Veda, a sacred text,
were sung as Samagana and not chanted. Sama Veda is the third of the four
Vedas of Hinduism but ranks next to Rig Veda (Rigveda) in terms of its
sanctity and liturgical importance.

Rig Veda is also sung in the Samagana traditional singing style.


Because of its liturgical importance, Rig Veda is counted as first among the
four canonical sacred texts of Hinduism known as Vedas. Rig Veda is an
ancient Indian sacred collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns. Some of its verses
are still recited as Hindu prayers at religious functions and other occasions.

Characteristics of Traditional Music from India


1. Carnatic Music

refers to music from South India


directed to a Hindu god, which is why it is called temple music
unlike Hindustani music, Carnatic music is unified where
schools are based on the same ragas, the same solo
instruments (veena, flute, violin) and the same rhythm
instrument (mridangam and ghatam)
music pieces are mainly set for the voice and with lyrics
compositions called krti are devotional songs

Additional Audio / Visual Activity: You may watch the following links
online.
Carnatic Flute - Tamboori by Heramba & Hemantha
www.youtube.com./ watch?v=GvWkHsfXFGQ
Carnatic Vocal, www.carnaticsangeetham.com

111
2. Hindustani Music
goes back to Vedic period times around 1000 BC
further developed in the 13th and 14th centuries AD with
Persian influences and from existing religious and folk music
predominantly found in the northern and central regions
influenced by ancient Hindu musical traditions, historical Vedic
religion / Vedic philosophy, native Indian sounds and enriched
by the Persian performance practices of the Mughal era
nasal singing is observed in their vocal music
in North India, the most common style of singing is called khyal,
a word which means imagination

Additional Audio / Visual Activity: You may watch the following


links online.
Hindustani Classical Music, www.wildfilmindia.com
Pt. Bhimsen Joshi-Classical Vocal,
www.youtube.com//watch?v=KAJYXm067ns

After learning about the


vocal music of India, the next
topic will help you learn the
instrumental music of India.

Instrumental Music

There are many musical instruments in India. Some instruments are


used primarily in North Indian music (Hindustani Sangeet) while many other
instruments are used in South Indian music (Carnatic Sangeet). Instrumental
music is often similar to vocal music but sometimes they have distinctive
instrumental styles. There are five known traditional systems for classification
of instruments.

112
Classification of Musical Instruments from India

1. Ghan described as a non-membranous percussive instrument but


with solid resonators. It is one of the oldest classes of instrument in
India. It may also be a melodic instrument or instruments to keep tal.

Ghatam Karta

Ghatam

Manjira
Nout
Ghatam
Ghatam

113
2. Avanaddh described as a membranous percussive instrument. This
class of instruments typically comprise the drums.

Daf (Duf, Daphu)

Ghatam

Dhol

Ghatam

Tabla

Ghatam 114
3. Sushir also known as blown air. It is characterized by the use of air
to excite the various resonators.

Shankh Bansuri

Ghatam Shankh

Ghatam

Surpeti Shehnai

Shehnai Ghatam

Ghatam

115
4. Tat referred to as vina during the old civilization. Instruments in this
class are plucked (stringed instruments).

Sitar Gotuvadyam

Ghatam Ghatam

Ektar

Ghatam

Gopichand

Ghatam

Rabab

Ghatam
116
5. Vitat described as bowed stringed instruments. This is one of the
oldest classifications of instruments and yet did not occupy a place in
classical Indian music until the last few centuries.

Banam

Ghatam

Esraj

Ghatam

Chikara

Ghatam

Sarangi

Ghatam

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Tala

Rhythm plays an important role in Indian music. It is fundamental to the


creation of any musical system. Certainly, from a historical standpoint, rhythm
existed many centuries ago before the word rag was ever used. Given this
historical pre-eminence, it is not surprising that rhythm occupies an important
position in the Indian system of music.

Tala literally means clap; variously transliterated as tal, taal or taala


is a regular, repeating rhythmic phrase, particularly as rendered on a
percussive instrument with an ebb and flow of various intonations
represented as a ''theka''
is the common Indian system of rhythm
Theka a sequence of drum-syllables or ''bol''
in Indian classical music, both Hindustani classical music and
Carnatic music use complex rules to create elaborate patterns of
rhythm
Tabla most common instrument for keeping rhythm in Hindustani music

Mridangam most common instrument for keeping rhythm in Carnatic music


also transliterated as mridang

If available, use the interactive listening


tools by William Alves, in his audio-CD
recordings: Interactive Music of the World,
featuring musical instruments of India.

118
Lets see how much you have learned.
Can you identify the difference between
Carnatic and Hindustani music? Can you
identify Indian musical instruments?

ACTIVITY 3: Which Is Which? (Teacher-Assisted)

Study the words written in the box. Identify which word fits the
description of Carnatic and Hindustani music. Write your answers on sheet
of manila paper.

Khyal Temple Music


Unified Northern
Krti Southern
Nasal Singing Lyrical
Persian Influence Imagination

Carnatic Hindustani Music


Music

119
ACTIVITY 4: Name It!

Name the following Indian musical instruments. Write the answers on a


separate sheet of paper or in your notebook.

1. ______________________

3. ______________________

2. ______________________

4. ______________________

120
5. ______________________

6. ______________________

7. ______________________

8. ______________________

121
9. ______________________

10. ______________________

If rhythm plays an important role in Indian music,


what could be the distinct characteristic of Pakistani
music?

122
PAKISTAN
Central Asian music encompasses numerous different musical styles
originating from a large number of sources. Though Pakistan is part of South
Asia, its western part is considered as an extension of Central Asia.

Pakistan is known for its unique vocals. The distinctive Pakistani sound
was formed with multiple influences not only from various parts of South Asia
but it also includes diverse elements from Central Asia, Persia, Turkey, and
the Arab world.

Vocal Music of Pakistan


Pakistan is known for its two vocal styles in singing:
1. Ghazal
traditional expressions of love, separation, and loneliness. It tells about
both the pain of loss of the lover and the beauty of love in spite of that
pain.
its structural requirements are more strict than those of most poetic
forms traditionally written in English
is considered by many to be one of the principal poetic forms in the
Persian civilization
can be sung by both men and women

Additional Audio / Visual Activity: You may watch the following


links online. Pakistani Ghazal-Payam e Mashriqs Ghazal,
www.youtube.com

2. Qawwali
the devotional music of the Chishti Order
a vibrant musical tradition that stretches back more than 700 years
originally performed mainly at Sufi shrines throughout the subcontinent
and gained mainstream popularity

Additional Audio / Visual Activity: You may watch the


following links online.
rahat fateh ali khan-best qawwali, www.youtube.com
nusrat fateh ali khan-best qawwali, www.youtube.com

123
Instrumental Music

Punjabi music strengthens the importance of musical instruments in


Pakistan.

Punjab is a region in South Asia which is divided into West Punjab,


Pakistan and East Punjab, India. Bhangra, one of the most recognized forms
of Punjab, is based on the drum rhythm of dhol.

Significant Instruments of Pakistan

Tabla

Dholak

124
Harmonium

Rubab

Are you ready to check what you


have learned about the music of
Pakistan? The next activity will help
you test if you understood the concepts
you have first learned. Good luck!

125
ACTIVITY 5: Peace, Order, and Organize!
Compare and contrast the vocal / instrumental music of Pakistan from
the music of India. Draw this diagram on a sheet of paper and fill in the
spaces.

VOCAL and INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

Pakistan India
Similarities

Differences

126
Pakistan acted as a major crossroad for
various cultures between Central Asia, South
Asia, and West Asia. This paved the way for
the similarities in vocal music throughout the
region.
Let us now move on to West Asia. There
are several West Asian countries but we will
focus our attention on Israeli and Arab music.
Ready? Then, lets start!

WEST ASIA - ISRAEL


In general, the music of West Asia is modal. Harmony is not emphasized
but rather includes salient features such as melodic complexity and
ornamentation, including tones and rigorous rhythmic development. West
Asian music is commonly used during:
Communal worship (in mosque, synagogue, and church)
Mystic rituals (Sufis, Hassidic)
Life passage events (weddings, bar mitzvas, bat mitzvas,
anniversaries)
Entertainment (belly dancing, folk dancing)

Vocal Music of Israel

Israeli singers have a distinctive vocal style. They sing with guttural
and throaty enunciation. The following are the two divisions of Jewish music:

1. Devotional
almost entirely vocal
featured during Sabbath and other holy days
the art of Hazan (leader of prayer in the synagogue) has always been
evident in the culture
shofar is a special call to prayer and repentance; it is sounded on the
High Holidays (the Jewish New Year and Day of Atonement)

2. Secular
instruments and voice are used
played during life passage events
context lies outside the religious domain
very rhythmic and have popular and romantic texts

127
After knowing about the vocal music of
West Asia, lets move on to instrumental music.

Do you have any idea of how


instruments look like in this part of Asia?

Instrumental Music of Israel

The lute, which is similar to the Philippine bandurria and the laud,
traces its origins to the Middle Eastern Oud and Indian sitar. Goblet drum,
darbuk, the tambourine, and other instruments associated with Middle
Eastern music are used as accompaniment. One of the dances where
accompaniment is used is hora, a dance that often has strong off beats and
asymmetric meters.

Significant Instruments of Israel

Jewish Lyre
Psalterion

Shofar

128
Other Significant Instruments of Arab Countries

Goblet Toft

Other Significant Middle Eastern Instruments

Oud

Darbuk

Wow! Asia is truly rich in its


culture! Its time to see if you
remember what you have learned.

129
ACTIVITY 6: Word Search in the Middle Earth

NOTE: Teacher will provide an enlarged copy of this word puzzle to be


placed on the board.

Search for the terms used in vocal and instrumental music of West
Asia. Encircle / highlight the words that you found. Explain the meaning of
these terms in front of the class.

O U D J M A G A M Q T
Q M B P D M A Q A M S
A D W S T Q P D T R T
M Z Q A W W A L I T A
I D S L G T E Z R Z L
T W A T Z J E W I S A
Z G Z E Q L L W I V L
V A D R B G O B L E T
A T B I U O Z M A L T
S G A O H P I Q A Q M
L J O N E F R D K Q R
M H O R A Z N W A Z N

Did you notice how rhythm plays an


important role in the music of South, Central,
and West Asia?
Most of their music, religious or cultural,
is based on rhythm.
Its time to experience music from
India, Pakistan, Israel, and Arabia.
Do you play drums? If not, nows the
time to learn how. Get hold of that rhythmic
sense because youre going to need it for the
next activities.
This is a compilation of performances
meant to enhance your rhythmic sense.

130
PART II: WHAT TO PROCESS
ACTIVITY 7: Three-in-One
Work in groups of three members and perform the following
activities. Have fun!
Group 1: Lets Do Tala
Materials: any membranophone (percussion instrument)
Directions
1. Divide yourselves into two groups.
2. Each group will be assigned to perform the Tintal and Chautal selections
provided.
3. Using any membranophone, perform the following selection. Improvised
drums can also be used.
A Tintal or Teental (16 beats)

B Chautal (12 beats)

If you want to learn more about the Tintal structure, watch the tabla
solo featured in chandrakantha.com/teental_tintal.

131
Group 2: Watch and Perform!

Materials: improvised percussion instruments

Directions

1. Watch the West Asian Instrumental by HAIRO.


2. Listen to the various sounds and rhythms played.
3. Simulate the rhythm by using any improvised percussion instrument.

Assessment: Rhythm Rubric

5 pts 4 pts 3 pts 2 pts 1 pt 0 pt

Tempo Appro Fluctuate Fluctuates Mostly Not Cannot


priate s slightly often wrong appropriate play

Steady Consis Fluctuate Fluctuates Mostly Not Cannot


Beat tent s slightly often wrong appropriate play
Rhythmic No A few Many Mostly Consistentl Cannot
Pattern mistak mistakes mistakes wrong y wrong play
es
Rest No A few Many Mostly Consistentl Cannot
Rhythm mistak mistakes mistakes wrong y wrong play
es
Overall Superi Very Good Fair Poor Cannot
Rhythm or Good play

The music of India, Pakistan, Israel,


and West Asia are widely used as an
expression of their way of life and spiritual
beliefs. Instruments add texture to any
musical performances. See if you can do
the activity.
Isnt it fun to play percussion
instruments?
In the next activities, well be checking
if you remember their musical instruments.

132
ACTIVITY 8: Speed Instrumental Music-cussion

Materials:
pictures of musical instruments of India, Pakistan, Israel, and West
Asian countries placed and pasted on cardboard

Directions

1. Paste a picture of a musical instrument on cardboard with its


corresponding number.
2. Sit in a circle with ten members.
3. Pass the picture you prepared to your right.
4. You will be given 10 seconds to identify the name of the instrument
passed to you. Write the name of the instrument guided by the
indicated number for each instrument.
5. Then, write the country where that instrument originated.
6. After 10 seconds, pass the picture you are holding to your right.
7. Repeat the procedure until all 10 musical instruments have been
passed.
8. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

If available in your school, watch and explore The


Interactive Listening Tools by William Alves featuring musical
instruments.

ACTIVITY 9: Name that Term!

Materials
prepared questions, buzzer, group-symbol, score board

Directions
1. Divide yourselves into four groups.
2. Each group will prepare a symbol to represent their group.
3. The host will announce the start of the activity.
4. The first group to buzz will challenge the other group to identify the
terminologies / concepts used in the music of Pakistan and other Middle
Eastern countries.
5. The first group will then declare how many clues they need to identify the
musical term. Example: We can name that Term in five clues!

133
6. The challenged group may accept the challenge by posting to name the
song with four clues. (The challenges can continue until a group gives up
the chance to name the Term allowing the other group to Name that
Term.
7. The host will read the clues (depending on the final agreement as to how
many clue/s to be read).
8. The winner during the challenge round will have the sole privilege of
answering.
9. The group that correctly identifies the term will place their symbol in the
first box in the diagram below.
10. Procedure will continue until all boxes have been filled.
11. The group with the most number of symbols placed in the box will be
declared the winner.

Timbre creates the uniqueness of a vocal sound. Vocal music provides the
main focus in singing and is probably the oldest form of music because it
only needs one instrument, the human voice.

Its singing time! The following


is a simple but beautiful Israeli folk
song. Listen and follow the musical
score of the song Zum Gali Gali.
Try to sing the song on your own.

134
135
ZUM GALI GALI (Israeli Lyrics) ZUM GALI GALI
(English Translation)
Zum gali gali gali, zum gali gali Zum gali gali gali, zum gali gali
Zum gali gali gali, zum gali gali Zum gali gali gali, zum gali gali

Hechalutz le maan avodah Pioneers work hard on the land


Avodah le maan hechalutz Men and women work hand in
Hechalutz le maan avodah hand
Avodah le maan hechalutz As we labor all day long
We lift our voices in song
Zum gali gali gali, zum gali gali
Zum gali gali gali, zum gali gali Zum gali gali gali, zum gali gali
Zum gali gali gali, zum gali gali

Do you still have time? If yes,


you can do the following activity
for fun! Otherwise, you can skip
the activity and move on to the
next phase.

ACTIVITY 10: Do Your Own Indian Style

Directions

1. Group yourselves together with a maximum of six members each.


2. Create a four line verse about Philippine tradition and / or culture.
3. Write the lyrics on the ornamental box surrounding the Maha Lakshmi
Devi, the Hindu goddess of wealth, fortune, love, and beauty.
4. Chant the lines of your group verse similar to Samagana.
5. Place a mnemonic system of India (bol) for your composition.
6. Perform your song.
7. Observe tala principle in your work.

136
Can you relate Philippine music
with the music in Central Asia, South
Asia, and West Asia? How are they
similar or different from one another?

PART III: WHAT TO REFLECT AND UNDERSTAND


ACTIVITY 10: Rig Your Heart with Pasyon!

Material
a recorded selection of Rig Veda by Sri Suktam and a Pasyon
Directions
1. Watch a music video of Rig Veda with English subtitles performed by Sri
Suktam and a video example of Philippine Pasyon filmed in Bulacan.
2. Listen to the melody and rhythm of both selections.
3. Describe the musical elements of the vocal and instrumental parts used in
both songs.
Rig Veda is enlightening and inspiring to listen to. It is used for religious
purposes just like the Pasyon of the Philippines. Here are some
recommended Rig Vedas for you:
Sanskrit Veda Vedas Universe creation

Elements of Music #1 Rig Veda Music #2 Philippine


Music by Sri Suktam Pasyon in Bulacan
Timbre
Dynamics
Pitch
Rhythm
Form
Texture
Harmony
Style

137
Did you know that Pakistanis
are also emotional people like us,
Filipinos? Listen how emotions are
expressed the Pakistani way!

IACTIVITY 11: Love and Ghazal!

Assignment: Watch and listen to a Pakistani ghazal (Payam e Mashriqs


Ghazal, Urdu and English translation) on www.youtube.com. Look for an
English or Filipino composition with synonymous structure and style.

SONG TITLE SONG TITLE

Beginning Beginning
____________________________ ____________________________
____________________________ ____________________________
____________________________ ____________________________
____________________________ ____________________________
Middle
____________________________ Middle
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________ ____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
_______ ____________________________
_______
____________________________ ____________________________
____________________________ ____________________________
End
____________________________ End
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________ ____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
_______ ____________________________
_______
____________________________ ____________________________
____________________________ ____________________________
____________________________ ____________________________
I hope you enjoyed the lessons!
____________________________ ____________________________
We are almost done. Now its time
_______ to
_______
share what you have learned.

To get the feeling of the


culminating activity, the whole class is
encouraged to wear the traditional
clothes / costumes of South Asia,
Central Asia, and West Asia.

138
PART IV: WHAT TO TRANSFER

ACTIVITY 12: Group Performance

Directions

1. Form five (5) groups with a maximum of eight members.


2. A program committee will take charge of the program flow.
3. Each group will be assigned one of the following:
Perform the Israeli Hora, Belly Dance, and Bhangra
Sing or interpret the Zum Gali Gali of Israel.
Sing and act as Hazan.
Showcase an improvised group of music instruments of a Middle
Eastern country in accompanying a secular song.
Perform any modern rendition of vocal or instrumental folk music from
India, Pakistan, Israel, or the Arab nations.

Not
Criteria Evident
Evident
1. The song is sung similar to Samagana
style.
2. The lyrics are a fundamental source of
spiritual tradition.
3. Indias rhythmic system (tala) is
observed.
4. Bols are correctly placed on each
syllable.

139
SUMMARY
The two main traditions of classical Indian music are Carnatic music
(southern) and Hindustani music (northern).
Rig Veda is an ancient Indian sacred collection of Vedic Sanskrit
hymns. It is counted among the four canonical sacred texts of
Hinduism known as Vedas. Some of its verses are still recited as
Hindu prayers at religious functions and other occasions.
Tala (variously transliterated as tal, taal, or taala) is the Indian
system of rhythm.
There are five known traditional system for classification of
instruments. These are Ghan, Avanaddh, Sushir, Tat, and Vitat.
Middle Eastern music is generally modal. Harmony is not emphasized.
There are two divisions of Jewish music devotional and secular.
Arabic Maqam is distinctively unique because of its technique of
improvisation.
Musical instruments are used in accompanying Israeli Hora and other
rhythmic dances.
Pakistan is known for its two styles of vocal singing, Ghazals and
Qawwali.
Punjabi music strengthens the importance of musical instruments in
Punjab regions.
Glossary

Bar Mitzvah a ceremonial event for a Jewish boy 13 years of age, when
he becomes a full-fledged member of the religious community
Bat Mitzvah the same as Bar Mitzvah, but for a girl, and occurring at the
age of 12 rather than 13
Chautal variously referred to as Chartal, Chowtal, and even occasionally
as Dhrupad tal, was a very common tal in the past. It means "four claps"; in
reference to the four claps of its vibhag structure.
Guttural characterized by harsh and grating speech sounds made in the
throat or toward the back of the mouth
Hassidic Jewish devotional tradition, the central idea being that simple
faith and a prayer that comes from the heart is more important than
intellectual brilliance

140
Hazan the leader of prayer. Traditionally, only men lead the prayers, but
today, in many denominations, women also perform this function. The Hazan
must have a good clear voice and know how to recite the prayers utilizing the
traditional modes of prayer.
High Holidays the holiest days of the year in Judaism; they include Rosh
Hashana (the Jewish New Year) and Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement).
These days fall around September / October time the variability is due to
the fact that the Jewish calendar is tied to the lunar rather than the solar
cycle.
Hinduism the predominant religion of the Indian subcontinent and one of
its indigenous religions
Matra refers to the beat in Indian music
Pasyon commonly sung during Holy Week in the Philippines. It is a verse
narrative about the life and suffering of Jesus Christ.
Raga also termed as rag, may be thought of as an acoustic method of
coloring the mind of the listener with an emotion. Musically, it is not a tune,
melody, scale, mode, or any concept for which an English word exists. It is
instead a combination of different characteristics.
Sabbath a Jewish holy day of rest, occurring once a week, beginning at
sundown on Friday and ending Saturday at nightfall. On this day Jews refrain
from work and go to the synagogue, where special prayers are recited and
special rituals are performed.
Samagana also known as Sm, is a composition of words in Rigvedic
hymns from notes. Smagn is not merely a name given to singing hymns of
Veda but represents the philosophy and science of uniting thought, sound,
and music.
a Sanskrit term saman which means melody and veda which means
knowledge
refers to the third of the four Vedas in the ancient core of Hindu
scriptures
Sangeet an Indian term referring to music Hindu scriptures
Shofar a musical instrument made of a ram's horn, utilized in synagogue
ritual on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur
Synagogue Jewish house of prayer
Tintal referred to as the most common tal in the Hindustani music. It is
variously referred to as teental or trital.

141
Vedic Sanskrit referred to as the language of the Vedas. It has predated
the advent of alphabet writing in India which has been orally preserved as a
part of the tradition of Vedic chanting.

References

Illustrations / Readings

Galaxy of Musicians.jpg
goindia.about.com
http://chandrakantha.com
www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rigveda
www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org
www.knowyourraga.com
www.makingmusicfun.net
www.soastrings.org/Perform
www.sscnet.ucla.edu/southasia
www.tabla.sr
www.google.com
Music of Israel. Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia
Foundation, Inc. 22 October 2012
Music of Pakistan. Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia
Foundation, Inc. 27 November 2012
Music of India. Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia
Foundation, Inc. 27 November 2012
Middle Eastern Music. Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia
Foundation, Inc. 29 October 2012
Teaching Guide: Music South and Central (UBD)
Recordings
www.youtube.com
www.makingmusicfun.net
Interactive Music of the World by William Alve

142
143
INTRODUCTION

Have you experienced watching a


stage play or a theater play? How was it?
Did you enjoy watching? In this module,
you are about to discover the traditional
Asian Theater art. You will have a unique
experience on how this traditional theater
music is performed.

Theater arts are one of the ancient


traditions of the people in Asia particularly
in Japan, Indonesia, and China. This
theater art form was transmitted from
generation to generation. The message in
every presentation conveys reflection of
everyday life. The key principle of theater
is selectivity. Through the various forms of
theater art, a specific form can achieve
clarity, order, and beauty rarely found in
ordinary life.

You will also learn to demonstrate


understanding about theater, skills on how
to perform in stage, including the use of
OBJECTIVES
music as an important part of the
performance.
At the end of this unit, you are expected to:

identify the varied art forms used in Asian musical theater to


communicate tales of everyday social and cultural relevance and
interests
analyze how elements of sound, gesture movement, and costume
affect the creation and communication of meaning in an Asian musical
and popular theater
evaluate the performance of each group with regards to cultural
relevance, music performance, and movement

144
PRE-ASSESSMENT

Describe the performances shown in the following pictures. How do the


actors and actresses perform on stage? Write your comments in a separate
sheet of paper.

http://dramaturgie-la.blogspot.com/2012/08/kabuki-theatre-that-this-can-be-kabuki.html

http://www.veezzle.com/photo/1574283/Peking-Opera-The-Legend-of-the-White-Snake

145
http://www.veezzle.com/photo/1479860/monolog-story-teller-alias-Dalang-wayang-
kulitthe-javanesse-puppets-show

LEARNING GOALS AND TARGETS

At the end of this module,

I would like to know about ______________________________.

I would like to be able to ________________________________.

I would like to understand_______________________________.

I would like to perform_________________________________.

146
PART I: WHAT TO KNOW
Lets Discover!

Japanese Theater
Japan is rich in culture and tradition. Ikebana and cherry blossoms, to
name a few, represent the beauty of its cultural heritage. One of the traditions
that is very popular until today is the traditional form of theater which began at
the end of sixteenth century and soon became the most successful theater
entertainment in the red light districts of the great cities. Together with nh, it
is considered the most important Japanese contribution to world theater.
Both nh and kabuki are unique and genuine expressions of the Japanese
spirit and culture. They mirror, however, taste and ideals of different social
classes, in profoundly different environments and periods.

Did you know that Sakura is one of the popular traditional songs of
Japan? Translated as Cherry Blossoms in English, it is a traditional song that
produces distinct characteristics used in the Asian style of making melodies
also known as the pentatonic scale. The pattern is mainly developed by using
the pentatonic style adopted mainly from China. This style is mostly used in
the performance of noh and kabuki.

One of the key features of Japanese theater is the vocal technique


used in singing. The continuous pattern or ipponchshi is used in speeches
building up to an explosive climax in the aragoto (oversize, supernatural,
rough hero) style, it requires an extraordinary breath control that only few
experts succeed in achieving. Another technique adapted from the chanting
or jruri is called nori. It implies a very sensitive capacity of riding the rhythms
of the shamisen (string instrument), declaiming each accompaniment.
Yakuharai technique in the same way describes the subtle delivery of
poetical text written in the Japanese metrical form of alternating seven and
five syllables.

Vocal and Instrumental Features

Dances and movements are accompanied by shamisen music which


collected and popularized a number of aspects from all previous forms of
Japanese music, from gagaku (classic court music imported from China
during the 18th century), kagura (performed in Shinto shrines), n (chant
derives from shmy, the sophisticated and rich tradition of Buddhist
chanting), down to the folk songs and fashionable songs of the day. The
most popular shamisen music was called nagauta (long song) which reached
a golden age in the first half of the 19 th century as dance music for the henge
mono or quick change pieces.

147
Naugata music is very flexible, can be performed by one shamisen or
by an entire orchestra of twenty musicians, of which ten are shamisen
players, while others play flutes (fue taken from the n) and drums (small
drum-kotsuzumi; waist drum-tsuzumi; stick drum-taiko).

http://dramaturgie-la.blogspot.com/2012/08/kabuki-theatre-that-this-can-be-kabuki.html

Chinese Theater

Chinese theater traditionally was considered as the highest form of arts


in China. Peking opera theater, according to the Oxford dictionary, is a
stylized Chinese form of opera dating from the late 18th century, in which
speech, singing, mime, and acrobatics are performed to an instrumental
accompaniment. It became fully developed and recognized by the mid-19th
century. It was regarded as one of the cultural treasures of China and was
extremely popular in the Qing Dynasty court.
http://oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/Peking%2Bopera

Basically, the Peking opera has two main styles of music, namely: erh-
huang and his-pI. These styles are very similar and the only difference is the
key. His-pI has lower sound than the erh-huang. They also utilize the
technique called fan-pan which is commonly used for sorrowful songs, and is
only sung by bearded characters.

The orchestra of a Peking opera is different from the western


orchestra. It comprises about eight musicians sitting on stools in the far-
corner of the stage. Each performance in a Peking opera begins with the ta-
lo and siag-lo, a small and large gong and cymbals. In some performances

148
they also start with a single skin drum or kettle drum. The conductor usually
sits in the center of the orchestra and creates tempo with this drum.

Traditionally, the musicians are in view throughout the performance


and are dressed in the same style as the stage assistants. They come and
go freely and are never considered part of the stage picture. In contemporary
China, the musicians are often seated in an orchestra pit and kept offstage.
Music is an integral part of every performance. It provides an atmospheric
background, accompanies the many sung passages, controls the timing of
movements, and welds the performance into a rhythmical whole. Theater
musicians learn their parts by rote since Chinese musical notation is very
imprecise. Most music used in the Peking opera has been worked out
collaboratively between actors and musicians. Most are borrowed from
already existing sources and recombined according to the requirements of a
particular play.

The actors delivery of lines is rigidly controlled by conventions. Each


role has its prescribed vocal timbre and pitch, and syllables are often drawn
out with regards to conversational usage in order to maintain the appropriate
rhythm. Even spoken passages are governed by strict rhythms and tempos.
Chanted and sung passages are freely inserted into spoken monologues or
dialogues. Thus lines are rendered in an extremely stylized manner.

The following are some musical instruments used in a Peking opera


performance.
Instrument Description
Aerophone
Ti-ts Cross flutes - usually played along with singing
Siao Recorded flutes - usually played along with singing
Sona Trumpet announces prosperous occasions
Chordophone
Violin like
Hu-chin Two-stringed instruments
Bu-chin Two-stringed instruments
Guitar like
Yue-chin Four-stringed instruments
San-sien Three-stringed instruments
Pi-pa Similar to lute with four strings
Idiophone
Ta-lo Gongs - signify the beginning of the performance
Siao-lo
Tan-pi-ku Kettle drum - used to create the tempo of the
performance

149
The form used in Peking opera is a collection of many older forms but
the new form also introduced its own innovation. The vocal requirements for
all of the major roles were greatly reduced for Peking opera. The chou, in
particular, rarely has a singing part in Peking opera, unlike the equivalent
role in Kunqu style. They simplify the songs that accompany each play in
coordination to the traditional instruments used. The popularity of Peking
opera has been attributed to the simplicity of the form, with only a few
voices and singing patterns. This allowed anyone to sing the arias
themselves.

The highest aim of performers is to put beauty into every motion. The
four skills of Peking opera are not separate, but rather combined in a single
performance. One skill may take precedence at certain moments during a
play, but this does not mean that other actions should cease. Much
attention is paid to tradition in the art form, and gestures, settings, music,
and character types are determined by long-held convention. This includes
conventions of movement, which are used to signal particular actions to the
audience.

Here are some pictures of Peking opera performers.

http://www.rfa.org/english/commentaries/baotong/crossroads-04122013102839.html

150
A male Peking opera performer A female Peking opera performer
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peking_opera

Indonesian Theater

Shadow Puppet Theater is a well-known Indonesian theater popular


not only in their own country but spread in several countries around the
world. Wayang Kulit in Central Java is one of the oldest continuous traditions
of storytelling in the world which includes the use of puppet materials and
background musical accompaniment to make it interesting to the audience.
Wayang is an Indonesian and Malay word for theater. When the term
is used to refer to kinds of Puppet Theater, sometimes the puppet itself is
referred to as wayang. Kulit means skin and refers to the leather construction
of the puppets that are carefully cut into a very fine tools and supported with
carefully shaped buffalo horn handles and control rods.
(http://www.discover-indo.tierranet.com/wayang.htm)

The Performance

The audience is the most important person in a wayang kulit


performance. The dalang prepares all the materials used like the cloth and
the light for the shadow. The puppet on the right side signifies the good
character, on the left hand side the bad. The open space between them
about two meters wide represents the stage.

151
The Dalang

The puppeteer is called the dalang. He is characterized by his being


creative, humorous, and flexible. He manipulates the puppets, sings, and
taps out signals to the orchestra. He also speaks the parts of all the
characters. The use of voice interchangeably is the main ability of a dalang
to give more life to a different character.
Non-jointed puppets were manipulated by the chief performer, the
dalang, who told a story to the accompaniment of several instruments,
including some that are part of the present-day gamelan ensemble.
Wayang kulit was performed in royal court and widely performed in
public on religious occasions so that knowledge of wayang became
widespread among all classes in Java.
The Music: Gamelan

A gamelan ensemble is comprised mainly by bronze percussion


instruments augmented by other percussion instruments, strings, and a flute.
A full Javanese gamelan ensemble consists of:
1. saron xylophone of heavy bronze bars
2. gender bronze xylophone with resonance chambers beneath
3. bonang set of bronze bowls
4. gong and kempul hanging gongs

5. kenong and ketuk single inverted bronze bowl


6. gambang wooden xylophone
7. rebab two-stringed fiddle
8. suling flute
9. kendang horizontal drum beat with the fingers on both ends
10. tjelempung a zither of thirteen double strings

The preponderance of bronze instruments gives gamelan music a


bright, lingering sound, ranging from the slow, majestic melodies of the
Javanese gamelan to the clangorous vibrancy of the Balinese gamelan.
Fiddle and flute add a delicate counterpoint to a four-square pattern of
percussive melody.
In addition to setting the mood or atmosphere of a play, music has
two major dramatic functions in the theatre. It accompanies the singing /

152
chanting and it accompanies stage actions including dance. The importance
of each function varies from area to area and from theater form to theater
form.
The dalang sings the mood songs (suluk) at regular intervals during
performance; in a nine-hour wayang kulit, he may sing fifty or sixty.
Nevertheless they are considered relatively unimportant except as mood
pieces. The same generalized lyrics may be used in play after play. Suluk
are never accompanied by the full gamelan ensemble. Often a single
instrument accompanies the singer, never more than three or four. The
major dramatic function of gamelan music is to accompany stage action.
Entrances, exits, and fight scenes are executed in time to gamelan music.

ACTIVITY 1: Table Top Discussion

Group yourselves into three. Watch a video clip of kabuki


performances and discuss your observation on each presentation. After the
discussion within your small group, leaders from different small groups will
share the information with the whole class.

VIDEO CLIP 1 VIDEO CLIP 2


Kabuki Theater Japanese Theater 3:
Kabuki
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67-
bgSFJiKc&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3IH
dm2Tf8g&feature=related

Group 1 Group 2

VIDEO CLIP 3
Kabuki Miyabiya Lemon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W
h3gPZzEgDQ&feature=related

Group 3

153
ACTIVITY 2: Carousel Brainstorming
Form a group of four. Given cue words posted on the four corners of
the classroom, each group will go around and discuss with the other group
what they know about Chinese Peking opera.

Costume Vocal and


Instrumental Music

Carousel
Brainstorming

Historical Background Distinct Theater Elements


and Features

ACTIVITY 3: Hit the Gongs!


Form groups of threes. Watch a video clip of a Wayang Kulit
performance. Draw a gong using paper plates and write your observations on
the following topics listed. Share your consolidated ideas with the whole
class.
Group 1 Group 2

Wayang Kulit Puppet Manipulation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIpn3Jp0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlRnF
y04 0KDzI0&feature=related

Group 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeVn1tNVmgg

Gamelan Ensemble

154
PART II: WHAT TO PROCESS
ACTIVITY 1

Improvise your own rhythmic pattern with woodblocks. Lets watch


again video clip number 2 and observe how the musicians play the
woodblocks as musical background in the kabuki.

Video Clip 2
Japanese Theater 3: Kabuki
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3IHdm2Tf8g&feature=related

After watching the video clip, form a group of five students each group.
Some may choose to play the woodblocks, use sticks, or tap body parts.
Others may act like the main characters in the kabuki.

Performance Rubric

Excellent No rhythmic errors; Consistent while learning


and in performance 5

Usually maintains consistency in learning and


Good 4
performing rhythms
Fair Sometimes maintains consistency in learning
and performing rhythms 3
Needs Have frequent rhythmic errors; Has trouble
Improvement being consistent while learning and in 2
performance
Many rhythmic errors; Inconsistent while
Poor 1
learning and in performance

ACTIVITY 2: Group Reporting


Now, you will watch a video clip about the Chinese Peking opera. After
watching the video clip, you will:
Group yourselves into four with eight to ten members each and
discuss the topics listed in the on the next page table.
Each group must have one topic to report. You may add your own
ideas to your report. Feel free to give your impressions and
insights about the topic.
Write your observations and reactions in the table.
Choose a representative to report what your group has discussed.

155
Peking opera video clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHPegoquV5I

Music Performance
Gesture
Movement
Costume

ACTIVITY 3: Imitate Me!


Form five groups. Watch again the following video clip.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHPegoquV5I. Have each member of the
group imitate the performance of characters in the Peking opera.

Performance Rubric
Always demonstrates understanding of appropriate
4
Excellent physical appearance for performing and connecting
with the audience to convey the message
Usually demonstrates understanding of appropriate
3
Good physical appearance for performing and connecting
with the audience to convey the message
Sometimes demonstrates understanding of
appropriate physical appearance for performing and 2
Fair
connecting with the audience to convey the
message
Needs Rarely demonstrates understanding of appropriate
Improvement 1
physical appearance for performing and connecting
with the audience to convey the message

ACTIVITY 4: Watch and Analyze

Now, you will watch a video clip about wayang kulit but focus your
attention on the gamelan ensemble. Write your observations and reactions
regarding the elements of music listed in the following table.
Wayang Kulit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeVn1tNVmgg

Tempo
Melody
Texture
Timbre

156
PART III: WHAT TO REFLECT AND UNDERSTAND
Make your own journal by answering the following questions. Write the
answers in your journal notebook.

1. Why is kabuki theater relevant to the social, cultural, and spiritual


background of Japan?
2. What is the significance of a kabuki performance to spectators?
3. How does Peking opera influence theater art forms in the East Asian
region?
4. What is the importance of Chinese musical theater in Asian theater art
forms?
5. How does wayang kulit communicate tales of everyday social and
cultural relevance and interest?
6. Compare each traditional Asian theater from the others.
7. What did you learn from our traditional Asian theater music activities?

PART IV: WHAT TO TRANSFER


ACTIVITY 5: Kabuki Time!

In this next activity, your class will be divided into four groups. Each
group is required to bring materials such as plastic bottles, bamboo sticks,
spoon / fork, and an empty soda can. By using common materials gathered,
each group will present a rhythmic accompaniment to a kabuki presentation
following the rhythm patterns given.

Materials Rhythm Patterns for a Kabuki


Accompaniment

Plastic bottles

Bamboo sticks

Spoon and fork

Empty soda can

157
Performance Rubric

Always demonstrates understanding of


Excellent appropriate physical appearance for performing
4
and connecting with the audience to convey the
message
Usually demonstrates understanding of
Good appropriate physical appearance for performing
3
and connecting with the audience to convey the
message
Sometimes demonstrates understanding of
Fair appropriate physical appearance for performing
2
and connecting with the audience to convey
message
Rarely demonstrates understanding of appropriate
Needs
physical appearance for performing and 1
Improvement
connecting with the audience to convey message

ACTIVITY 6: Peking Opera Adaptation

In this phase you and your group mates will perform an adaptation of
Chinese Peking opera. Compose a poem with a minimum of eight lines
telling a story on any of the given subjects listed. Create a melody or chant
adapting the Chinese singing style (high pitch) following the 5-tone
pentatonic scale.

1. love
2. freedom
3. Philippine culture
4. respect

TITLE

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

158
Rubric for Presentation

Always demonstrates understanding of


Excellent appropriate physical appearance for
4
performing and connecting with the
audience to convey the message
Usually demonstrates understanding of
Good appropriate physical appearance for
3
performing and connecting with the
audience to convey the message
Sometimes demonstrates understanding of
Fair appropriate physical appearance for
2
performing and connecting with the
audience to convey the message
Rarely demonstrates understanding of
Needs
appropriate physical appearance for
Improvement 1
performing and connecting with the
audience to convey the message

ACTIVITY 7: Making Music

You will be divided into four groups. Each group is required to bring
materials such as spoon and fork, tambourine, cauldron cover / lid, and
glass soda bottles. By using common materials gathered, each group will
present a rhythmic accompaniment to a wayang kulit presentation following
the rhythm patterns given.

Materials Rhythm Patterns for a Wayang Kulit


Accompaniment

Spoon and fork

Tambourine

Cauldron cover

Glass soda
bottles

159
Performance Rubric

Always demonstrates understanding of


appropriate physical appearance for
Excellent 4
performing and connecting with the
audience to convey the message

Usually demonstrates understanding of


appropriate physical appearance for
Good 3
performing and connecting with the
audience to convey the message

Sometimes demonstrates understanding


of appropriate physical appearance for
Fair 2
performing and connecting with the
audience to convey the message

Rarely demonstrates understanding of


Needs
appropriate physical appearance for
Improvement 1
performing and connecting with the
audience to convey the message

160
SUMMARY
Kabuki (Japan)

Kabuki is a Japanese traditional theatre art that is performed in a


stylized manner which combines acting, singing and dancing. This rich blend
of music, mime, dance, costume, and props has been in existence for almost
four centuries. The term kabuki in modern Japanese means: ka, song; bu,
dance; and ki, skill. It is a high form of play that actors show their wide
range of skills in visual and vocal performance. Kabuki was founded in 1603
by Okuni, a Shinto priestess. She and her troupe of mostly women
performed dances and comic sketches on a temporary stage set up in the
dry riverbed of the Komagawa River in Kyoto. Her troupe gained national
recognition and their plays evolved into Kabuki that would later become one
of the three major classical theaters of Japan.

Peking Opera (China)

Peking opera also known as the Beijing opera still follows traditional
Chinese arts in stressing meaning, rather than precise actions. The opera
artists goal is to make every performance exceptionally beautiful in every
movement they will make. The performers vocal techniques as well as
rhythms and melodies vary depending on his or her thoughts and feelings
adhering to basic, strict conventions that are based on real life experiences
presented in an artistic and symbolic manner.

Wayang Kulit (Indonesia)

In wayang kulit the dalang sings the mood songs (suluk) at regular
intervals during performance. Suluk are never accompanied by the full
gamelan ensemble. Often a single instrument accompanies the singer, never
more than three or four. The major dramatic function of gamelan music is to
accompany stage action. Entrances, exits, and fight scenes are executed in
time to gamelan music.

Gamelan ensemble is composed mainly of bronze percussion


instruments, augmented by other percussion instruments, strings, and flute.

161
Additional Information

Peking Opera:
Performances are accompanied by music usually played on three
types of instruments:
wind instruments string instruments
percussion instruments
The following main instruments are Chinese in origin:
1. jinghu a two-stringed instrument played with a bow
2. yueqin a four-stringed instrument that is plucked
3. sanxian a three-stringed instrument which is also plucked
4. variety of gongs and cymbals creates rhythmic and graceful
melodies
The melodies played by the accompaniment fall mainly into three
broad categories.

The first is the aria. The arias of Beijing opera can be further
divided into those of the erhuang and xipi varieties. An example
of an aria is wawadiao, an aria in the xipi style that is sung by a
young Sheng to indicate heightened emotion.

The second type of melody heard in Beijing opera is the fixed-
tune melody, or qupai. These are instrumental tunes that serve
a wider range of purposes than arias. Examples include the
"Water Dragon Tune" (shui long yin), which generally denotes
the arrival of an important person, and "Triple Thrust" (ji san
qiang), which may signal a feast or banquet.

The final type of musical accompaniment is the percussion
pattern. Such patterns provide context to the music in ways
similar to the fixed-tune melodies. For example, there are as
many as 48 different percussion patterns that accompany stage
entrances. Each one identifies the entering character by his or
her individual rank and personality.

Glossary

Aria a self-contained expressive melody for one voice, usually with orchestral
accompaniment
Bonang a set of bronze bowls
Bu a dance
Dalang the puppeteer and narrator of wayang kulit
Erhuang used to express the lyric mood such as mild, placid, and gentle

162
Gamelan Music Ensemble background accompaniment in every performance of
wayang kulit
Gender a bronze xylophone with resonance chambers beneath
Gong and Kempul hanging gongs

Ka song
Kabuki combination of acting, dancing, and music which includes the
manifestation of form, color, and sound
Kata a Japanese word describing detailed choreographed patterns of movements
practiced either solo or in pairs

Kendang horizontal drum beat with the fingers on both ends


Kenong and Ketuk a single inverted bronze bowl
Ki skill
Mie making a pose and standing still during acting to express the rising of feelings.
This has the effect of having a close-up on that person.

Peking Opera combination of music, vocal, mime, dance, and acrobats


Qupai fixed-tune melody
Rebab two-stringed fiddle
Saron xylophone of heavy bronze bars
Sheng a mouth-blown free reed instrument consisting of vertical pipes
Suling flute
Suluk mood songs
Tjelempung a zither of thirteen double strings
Wayang Kulit a traditional theatre art of Indonesia

References

http://fellowshipofminds.wordpress.com
http://thestorybehindthefaces.com
http://www.iis-db.stanford.edu
http://www.beijingimpression.cn
http://www.ebeijing.gov.cn
http://www.cultural-china.com
http://cmusic.ntua.edu.tw
http://sigitekoyulianto.wordpress.com
http://www.youtube.com/

163
http://famoustourisms.com/
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peking_opera
http://oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/Peking%2Bopera
http://www.discover-indo.tierranet.com/wayang3.html
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/ebRBApm97dE/T1mupumi9ZI/AAAAAAAAAFs/ppmWaNJn
Ha4/s1600/wayang_kulit.jpg
http://www.ebeijing.gov.cn/BeijingInformation/BeijingsHistory/t1137406.htm
http://filipinofestival.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/kabuki2.jpg
http://www.rfa.org/english/commentaries/baotong/crossroads-04122013102839.html
Brandon, J. (1967). Theatre in Southeast Asia, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Harvard University Press
Moebirman (1960). Wayang Purwa: The shadow play of Indonesia. Jakarta:
Yayasan Pelita Wisata.
The Wayang Theatre
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfydro4X2t0&feature=related;http://www.google.co
m.ph/images?hl=tl&q=wayang+kulit+of+indonesia&um=1&ie=UTF-
8&source=univ&ei=j3R-
TJS5EcLBcZyGnMcJ&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CDY
QsAQwAw&biw=1440&bih=680
Mahabharata Performance: Wayang Kulit Jawa: Arjuna Slays a Giant
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Of7ViIM9Wwc>
http://dramaturgie-la.blogspot.com/2012/08/kabuki-theatre-that-this-can-be-
kabuki.html
http://www.veezzle.com/photo/1574283/Peking-Opera-The-Legend-of-the-White-
Snake
http://www.veezzle.com/photo/1479860/monolog-story-teller-alias-Dalang-wayang-
kulitthe-javanesse-puppets-show

164
165
Let us visit and enjoy the beauty
of the different countries of Southeast
Asia and experience their exquisite and
fascinating art works by engaging in
different activities.

INTRODUCTION
In this unit you will learn the following about the folk arts of Southeast
Asia (Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore,
and Brunei):

how the context of their fascinating art works influenced the historical
and cultural phenomena in the world of art

how the distinct characteristics of their art works are reflected in the
wide array of exquisite textiles, crafts, architecture, ceramics, wood-
carving, and leatherwork

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OBJECTIVES
At the end of this module, you are expected to:

name the countries in Southeast Asia


understand the nature of Southeast Asian arts and crafts and how they
affect the life and culture of the people
analyze how the elements of art and principles of design are applied in
Southeast Asian folk arts
compare and appreciate the similarities, differences, and uniqueness
of Southeast Asian art
create examples of Southeast Asian indigenous and folk arts showing
understanding of the elements and principles of art
put up a mini-Southeast Asian art exhibit using their own artworks

appreciate the contribution of Southeast Asian art and culture

After reading the objectives, do the


following activities to check your
prior knowledge about the lesson.

167
PRE-ASSESSMENT

ACTIVITY 1: Find Me

Match the picture with its country of origin.

Philippines

Brunei

Malaysia

Indonesia

Singapore

Vietnam

Were you able to match the pictures correctly? How?

ACTIVITY 2: Loop Relay

Directions
1. Choose five boys and five girls to represent the class.
2. The first player will read and analyze the written letters to form word/s
related to the art of Southeast Asia.
3. Use chalk or any writing instrument to loop the word either horizontally,
vertically, or diagonally.
4. Go back to your group and tag the next player to loop the next word.
Do this until all the members of the group have identified the words.
5. The first group to finish wins.

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W A U L S O N G K O K E F A S E W B

C O R U I R Q U I E R Z A G Y I A E

E R U N H W E O L F I O N I K T Y T

N I O N N L X O Z E Y O G C I F A G

T E C K H I G S A I T H E K T U N V

I K A T E G E X O A W D A L A N G A

N I R E N G M E R L I O N U K Q K C

G O S A E Z T K H O T K S I M P U R

I X Y L I Q Y U B R E L I E F Y L F

S A H T D O A M Y J I K R X E N I I

W D I O L F S K Y L A N T E R N T E

LEARNING GOALS AND TARGETS

Do not worry if you were not able to look for


some words related to the art of Southeast Asia.
You will learn more about them as we go on.
Now based on the results of your pre-assessment
activities, write your learning goals and targets for
this unit in your notebook.

At the end of this module:

I would like to know about____________________.


I would like to learn how to ____________________.
I would like to understand _________________________________.
I would like to produce or make _____________________________.

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PART I: WHAT TO KNOW
Lesson 1: FABRIC / FABRIC DESIGN

Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos


Thai Silk

Thai silk is produced from


the cocoons of Thai silkworms. It is mainly
produced in Khorat which is the center of
the silk industry in Thailand. Thai weavers
from this region raise the caterpillars on a
steady diet of mulberry leaves.
Today, Thai silk making is
considered to be one of the finest arts in
the world, a product of a unique
manufacturing process and bearing unique
patterns and colors.
Silk weaving in Cambodia dates to
as early as the first century since textiles
were used for trading. Modern textiles have traces of motifs imitating clothing
details on ancient stone sculptures.
There are two main types of Cambodian weaving:
1. ikat technique (Khmer term: chongkiet) to create patterns, weavers tie
and dye portions of weft yarn before weaving begins. Patterns are diverse
and vary by region; common motifs include lattice, stars, and spots.

2. uneven twill it yields single or two-color fabrics, which are produced by


weaving three threads so that the color of one thread dominates on one
side of the fabric, while the two others determine the color on the reverse
side.

Traditionally, Cambodian textiles have employed natural dyes coming


from: insect nests red dye; indigo blue dye; prohut bark yellow and
green dye; and ebony bark black dye.

Cambodia's modern silk-weaving centers are Takeo, Battambang,


Beanteay Meanchey, Siem Reap, and Kampot provinces. Silk-weaving has
been revived in the past ten years and now provides employment for many
rural women. Cambodian silk is generally sold domestically, where it is used
in sampot (wrap skirts), furnishings, and pidan (pictoral tapestries). Now, it
has seen an increase in export viability.

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Cotton textiles have also played a significant role in Cambodian
culture. Though today, Cambodia imports most of its cotton, traditionally
woven cotton remains popular. Rural women often weave homemade cotton
fabric, which is used in garments and for household purposes. Krama, the
traditional check scarves worn almost universally by Cambodians, are made
of cotton.
According to Lao tradition, stories of their history were not passed on
orally nor was it written, they were woven. Strand by strand, Lao stories were
weaved in the intricate dense patterns and motifs of textiles. Unfortunately
some are elaborately fantastic, and the motifs so cryptic, that in many cases
only the weaver can accurately interpret the story.

Most diverse of these stories are the ones woven into a sihn the Lao
womens ankle-long skirt whose form is undeniable but whose patterns are
unique to each skirt.

Sihn

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Women wearing Sihn

Though the skirt looks simple and elegant, it is traditional that every
woman in Laos weaves all the sihns she would wear throughout her lifetime.
She uses folk icons to express personal views. This is often accomplished by
symbolist totems from the inanimate or animate world crabs for
resourcefulness, snakes for fertility, butterflies for beauty, birds for success,
and so on.

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Vietnam

Golden thread silks were born in Vietnam. Many of our Vietnamese


fabrics originated from Ha Dong, the center of weaving and sericulture (silk
worm production) for centuries. Old jacquard looms are still used, weaving
patterns containing centuries-old symbols and characters.

Silk with golden thread

Some popular Vietnamese fabric ranges are:


1. Shantung taffeta
2. Bengaline weave
3. Ebony satin an all-natural lustrous silk hand-woven in southern
Vietnam and naturally dyed using ebony fruit pods. The fabric dates
back over a century, but was only recently revitalized by the designer
Vo Viet Chung.

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Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore

The fabric most common to both countries is the batik. The term batik
is an Indonesian-Malay word, believed to be related to the Malay word titik,
which means point, dot, or drop. The drop action refers to the process
of dyeing the fabric by making use of a resist technique: covering areas of
cloth with a dye-resistant substance (usually hot wax) to prevent them from
absorbing colors. This technique has been taught for over a thousand years.

Sihn

174
There are two categories of batik designs:

1. geometric motifs
2. free form designs

Modern batik designs depend on the creativity of their designers.


Naturalistic motifs like leaves, flowers, and birds have been utilized to
create elaborate and intricate designs.
Modern designs also include more colors, courtesy of chemical dyes, as
artists are not bound by the strict guidelines of traditional practices, when
craftsmen were dependent on natural dyes.
In Malaysia, the states of Kelantan and Terengganu are considered the
cradle where batik first flourished, reaching even Singapores shores.
There are two main types of batik that are produced there:
1. Hand painted the artist uses the canting, a small copper container
with one or more different-sized pipes
2. Block printed is done by welding together strips of metal to form a
metal block. The metal block is then dipped into molten wax and
pressed against the fabric in order to make a pattern.

Malaysian Batik

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Leaves and flowers in Malaysian batiks are incorporated to avoid the
interpretation of human and animal images as idolatry, in accordance with
local Islamic doctrine. This makes their batik look similar to that of Indonesia.

Flight attendants in Singapore wearing batik

However, the Malaysian batik is famous for its geometrical designs or


spirals. The method of Malaysian batik-making is also different from those of
Indonesian Javanese batik. Their patterns are larger and simpler. More brush
painting is applied to be able to put lighter and more vibrant colors than deep-
colored Javanese batik.

In Singapore, the existence and use of batik has been recorded since
the 12th century but has receded in popularity through the years. Nowadays,
batik is featured in as the uniform of flight attendants for the official flag carrier
airlines of Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

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Brunei

Brunei's traditional textile is also called batik but it is uniquely different


from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. Its designs have their national
flower simpur, sumboi-sumboi (pitcher plant), and Brunei's traditional design
of air muleh.

Different techniques are used in Bruneis batik like airbrushing,


cracking, bubble, rainbow, sprinkle, geometry, and marble. These techniques
are applied on fabrics like cotton, chiffon, linen, and brocade.

Hand-made batik
designs are created through
the art of layering and
mixing of colors injected with
creativity.

Batik can be done in four


different ways:

1. hand-drawn
2. using metal blocks
3. screen printing
4. digital printing

Bruneis batik polo shirt

Do you think there are more


types of artworks in Southeast Asia?
Lets continue our lessons.

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Lesson 2: ARTS AND CRAFTS

Thailand

Sky Lantern Festival


Flying lanterns are made out of rice paper with a bamboo frame, which
contain a fuel cell or small candle. When the fuel cell is lit, the flame heats the
air inside the lantern, causing the lantern to rise. Once airborne the sky
lantern will rise until the fuel cell or candle stays alight. When the candle
burns out the sky lantern floats back to the ground.

In Thailand, flying lanterns are used during the year for festivals, the
most popular being the Loy Krathong Festival. This festival is held on the
night of the 12th full moon, usually in November, with Chang Mai believed to
have the brightest and most spectacular celebrations.

All of Phuket's major west coast beaches take part in Loy Krathong
festivities, with a mix of locals and tourists. Patong beach and Nai Harn
around the lake usually have the most activity with locals visiting beaches like
Karon and Kata. Sky lanterns or wish lanterns as they are also commonly
known have become popular on the main tourist beaches of Phuket.

Wander down to the beach on most nights and you will find locals
selling wish lanterns for a small cost. Light your candle, make your wish, and
once your wish lantern is floating skyward, sit back and enjoy.

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Cambodia and Laos

Indigenous people represent 1.4 percent of the total population in


Cambodia, and the majority of them live in remote rural areas within the
country. Often referred to as highlanders, their ways of life are different from
the lowlanders, both from the cultural and economic perspective.

Handicrafts are part of their traditional culture and their livelihood as


they produce textiles, baskets, jars, pottery, and other tools for their daily
use.

Many indigenous groups have established small enterprises and


produce traditional products to generate supplementary income in order to
support their livelihood.

The handicraft sector provides vital employment opportunities to most


indigenous artisans and disadvantaged people, especially women who are
struggling for survival.

In this country, they make paper by hand in the wider region for over
700 years using the bark of the local sa or mulberry tree. The bark is
crushed and soaked in water until it dissolves into a paste. The liquid is then

179
scooped out, poured through a bamboo sieve, and finally placed in a thin
layer on a bamboo bed and dried in the sun.

Traditionally sa paper was used for calligraphy and for making festive
temple decorations, umbrellas, fans, and kites. In former times it was also
used as a filter in the manufacture of lacquerware.

In recent years the art of sa paper handicraft has been revived,


particularly in Luang Prabang, Northern Laos, where it is now used to create
lampshades, writing paper, greetings cards, and bookmarks.

Vietnam

Silk Painting

Vietnamese silk painting is one of the most popular forms of art in


Vietnam, favored for the mystical atmosphere that can be achieved with the
medium. During the 19th and 20th centuries, French influence was
absorbed into Vietnamese art and the liberal and modern use of color
especially began to differentiate Vietnamese silk paintings from their
Chinese or Japanese counterparts.
Vietnamese silk paintings typically showcase the countryside,
landscapes, pagodas, historical events, or scenes of daily life.

180
Indonesia

Wayang Kulit

Shadow puppetry is famous in Indonesia. Wayang, in modern


Indonesian language means "show" or "perform." Kulit means "skin," a
reference to the leather material that the figures are carved out of. Others say
that wayang is also attributed to the Indonesian word bayang which means
"shadow."

Wayang kulit is a type of puppet shadow play performed around the


Indo-Malayan archipelago, tracing its origins to India. It is derived from a
Javanese Hindu-Buddhist tradition, where hand-crafted leather puppets
depict epic stories of the gods in shadow play. A traditional gamelan
orchestra would accompany the story-telling.

The puppets come in all sizes, ranging from 25 cm to 75 cm. The


puppets are usually made out of buffalo and goat hide and mounted on
bamboo sticks. The characters are usually represented by several versions in
a set. The best puppets are made from young female water buffalo
parchment and the curing can take up to ten years.

181
The Performance of Wayang Kulit
The puppets are moved behind a cotton or linen screen by a dalang, or
a "puppet master" in a shadow puppet play. The dalang tells the story,
interprets, and voices each character, producing sound effects with speech
and movement and manipulates all the figures between the lamp and the
screen to bring the shadows to life.

Most shadow play is based on two epic stories from India the
Mahabharata and the Ramayana. The Balinese and Javanese have
combined the Hindu stories with Buddhist and Muslim ideas mixed with their
own folklore.

Malaysia

Wau Kite
Wau kite in Malay is a uniquely designed Malaysian kite called wau.
Its wings are similar to an Arabic letter (pronounced "wow"). This kite-making
tradition comes naturally to Malaysian people, especially in the eastern states
of the Malayan Peninsula.

Farmers used kites as scarecrows in the fields and as a means to lull


their children to sleep, so they could work with little interruption. Now, kite
flying has become a popular sport not just in Malaysia but also internationally.
Malaysia has been celebrating kite festivals annually like the Pasir Gudang
International Kite Festival. These kite festivals encourage more tourists to visit
their country.

182
Brunei

Songkok

The songkok (also called peci or kopiah) is a cap widely worn in


Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, the southern Philippines, and
southern Thailand, mostly among Muslim males in formal gatherings such as
wedding feasts, funerals, or festive occasions such as the Muslim Eidul-Fitr
and Eid al-Adha. The songkok came to be associated with Islam in Malaysia,
while in Indonesia peci is also associated with the nationalist secular
movement.

In Brunei Darussalam, mens headgears are categorized into three:

1. dastar which is a piece of cloth tied around the head


2. songkok or kopiah, a type of cap made from velvet
3. tangkolok or serban, which resembles a turban and is a typical
headdress in the Middle East

After a period of time the wearing of songkok became a tradition and


synonymous with being a Malay. Gradually it replaced the dastar as part of
the Malay's national dress on most formal occasions.

Today, like other gears, the songkok comes in many colorful variations
to suit individual tastes and styles. Some men like to have their songkoks
made to measure even if it means that they have to pay a little bit more
so that they can incorporate their own innovations as well as select the type
and color of the velvet to mirror their individuality. Others, who are more
economical, prefer to choose from the wide variety of ready-made songkoks
available in many of the shops in town.

183
The value of songkok-wearing is taught to the young both at home and
at school. An adult may not want to wear the songkok all the time but he will
certainly wear it on various important occasions. Naturally there are people
who habitually wear the songkok most of their waking hours. However, in
former times, the act of not wearing it was usually associated with piety.
Nowadays people have the option to wear the songkok to fulfill traditional
religious requirements or not at all. Some government servants are given
songkoks with the appropriate decorations as part of their uniforms.

Southeast Asian people show their


artwork through fabrics and exhibit
other artworks through festivals. Do
you think Southeast Asia can offer
more kinds of artworks? Lets read on.

184
Lesson 3: SCULPTURE

Cambodia

For many thousands of years, the art of stone carving has flourished in
Cambodia. From small statues to the breathtaking carvings found at Angkor
Wat, this art medium has become one of the country's most cherished art
forms.

Stone carving has been both a passion and a livelihood for many
Cambodian sculptors.

The art of stone carving in Cambodia has a very long, fascinating


history which goes back to the foundation of the Khmer nation.

185
Thailand

Wat Pho

Thailand is world-famous for its sculpture that dates back 4,000 years.
The most commonly used materials are wood, stone, ivory, clay, and various
metals. The most notable sculptures are the Thai bronzes famous for their
originality and grace.

This famous sculpture in Wat Pho in Bangkok is 46 meters long and 15


meters high. It is made of plaster on a brick core and finished in gold leaf. The
feet are inlaid with mother of pearl.

Laos
If Cambodia has stone carvings, Lao artisans use a variety of media in
their sculptural creations. Typically, the precious metals such as bronze,
silver, and gold are used. The most famous statue made of gold is the Phra
Say of the sixteenth century, which the Siamese carried home as loot in the
late eighteenth century. Another famous sculpture in Laos is the Phra Bang
which is also cast in gold. Unfortunately, its craftsmanship is said to be of
Sinhalese, rather than Lao, origin. It is traditionally believed that relics of the
Buddha are contained in the image.

186
Vietnam

Stone sculptures in Vietnam


Vietnamese sculpture has been heavily influenced by the three
traditional religions: Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism, which come from
neighboring countries China and India.

Among the famous sculptures is the 10,000-year-old carvings which


can be seen on the Dong Noi cave.

The Dong Son culture is famous for its kettledrums, small carvings, and
home utensils which have handles sculpted in the shape of men, elephants,
toads, and tortoises.

Five provinces: Gia Lai, Kon Tum, DakLak, DakNong, and Lam Dong
are situated in the highlands of south-west Vietnam. Mourning houses
erected to honor the death of the Gia Rai and Ba Na ethnic groups are
symbolized by statues placed in front of the graves. These statues include
couples embracing, pregnant women, people in mourning, elephants, and
birds.

187
Indonesia

Stone Arts of Indonesia


Indonesia is known for its stone, bronze, and iron-age arts. The
sculptures can be found in numerous archaeological sites in Sumatra, Java to
Sulawesi. The native Indonesian tribes usually create sculptures that depict
ancestors, deities, and animals. This is evident in the pre-Hindu-Buddhist and
pre-Islamic sculptures from the tribes.

The most amazing sculptures are the Asmat wooden sculpture


of Papua, the Dayak wooden mask and sculpture, the ancestral wooden
statue of Toraja, and also the totem-like sculpture of Batak and Nias tribe.

From the classical Hindu-Buddhist era of Indonesia, the most


prominent sculptures are the hundreds of meters of relief and hundreds of
stone Buddhas at the temple of Borobudur in Central Java.

Today in Indonesia, the richest, most elaborate and vivid wooden


sculpture and wood carving traditions can be found in Bali and Jepara,
Central Java. Balinese handicrafts such as sculptures, masks, and other
carving artworks are popular souvenir items for tourists. The Jepara wood
carvings are famous for their elaborately carved wooden furniture, folding
screens, and also pelaminangebyok (wedding throne with carved
background).
188
Malaysia
Malaysia

Porta de Santiago Bas-Relief


Most of Malaysias sculptures are relief. These are partially carved into
or out of another surface. These sculptures rely on a base or plane to support
them and are a combination of both three-dimensional and two-dimensional
art forms.
This is very popular along the walls and stone columns of the ancient
Greek and Roman buildings and can still be seen today on many famous
buildings, including the Coliseum.
Relief sculpture is practiced today by artists and architects, done with
stone, marble, bronze, and many other substances. There are three main
types of relief sculptures:
1. Alto form is almost completely carved from its surface, highly
shaped, with very little of the structure touching the base or plane.
These sculptures could possibly stand alone if the base or plane

189
were removed. These are similar to the Egyptians alto-relief
sculptures of gods or Pharaohs attached to their temples. These are
common among Greeks and Romans.
2. Bas form is a relief that barely extends past the base. These are
common as wall decorations on Greek or Roman buildings and are
the type mostly seen on the Colosseum.
3. Sunken relief sculpture an image that is carved into the surface
rather than out of it.
Relief wood carvings frequently adorn the doors, walls, and windows of
traditional Malay houses. Popular motifs of such relief carvings are the
various kinds of Malaysian flowers and plants. These carvings require a high
degree of skill, patience, and determination.

The best Malay woodcarving is from Terengganu and Kelantan. Passed


down from one generation to another, the craft is divided into ukiran
halus (fine carving) and ukiran kasar (literally meaning rough carving).

Ukiran halus involves the carving of relief patterns, hilts of keris (short
Malay dagger), bed heads, and cupboard tops.

Ukiran kasar, refers to the carvings on larger objects like furniture,


pillars, windows, room portions, and eaves of roofs.

Cengal is the preferred wood for building houses and boats. Being
expensive, other woods such as balau or perah (which is slightly softer than
cengal) might be used for the rafters or floorboards of a house or for the prow
of a boat.

190
Singapore

Sri Mariammam Hindu temple

The Sri Mariammam Hindu temple with sculptures of different images


is almost as old as Singapore itself. This was constructed and dedicated to
the goddess Mariamman who is worshipped for her power to cure disease
(early Singapore was mostly jungle, so disease was rampant). Its most
interesting feature is its impressive gopuram (tower) over the main entrance,
which is decorated with numerous Hindu deities.

191
Merlion of Singapore

The Merlion was conceived because the Singapore Tourism Board


(STB) felt the country lacked a distinct image representing the nation and its
history. They set out to fabricate an icon, which could tap into the particular
myths and folklore of the area, many of which feature sea-beasts and magical
fish-creatures.

The Merlion is also partly inspired by the story of how Singapore got its
name or The Singapura Story.

The Sentosa Merlion is the biggest replica, standing at 37 meters and


made from glass-reinforced concrete.

192
Brunei

Metal Sculpture at ASEAN Park in Brunei

Sculpture in Brunei takes on a more utilitarian role than an aesthetic


one. The people of Brunei have a long tradition as excellent craftsmen using
bronze and silver to create adornments and functional items such as bowls,
tools, and the like.

Sculpting is one art form that is not yet widely practiced in Brunei
Darussalam. There are a number of artists who can make sculptures like any
other.

Examples of their creations can be seen at the ASEAN Squares in the


ASEAN member countries. To help preserve this heritage of metalwork, the
Brunei Arts and Handicraft Training Center was established in 1975 to revive
and promote the nations dying tradition of crafts, including metalwork. The
opening of this center is still considered a landmark in the history of
development of Bruneis arts and handicrafts. In addition to training youths in
the art of sculpting, the center also helps facilitate the sale of their crafts.

Are you ready to check what


you have learned? What kind of
artworks is Southeast Asia famous
for? Lets do the following activity.

193
ACTIVITY 3: Research and Report

Your class will be divided into four groups. Research on the different
folk arts and cultural symbols assigned to your group.

Group 1 and 3: Folk Arts in Mainland Southeast Asia


Group 2 and 4: Folk Arts in Archipelagic Southeast Asia

1. Research on the different arts and crafts, fabric design, cultural icons, and
sculpture based on their groupings. Bring visual representations or
drawings. You may use multimedia technology for your presentations and
are encouraged to exhibit creativity.
2. Use the rubric to check the presentation of your group.

Use the diagram below for your presentation:

Art and Crafts


Countries:
Mainland 1.
Fabric Design
Southeast 2. Cultural Icons
Asia 3. Sculpture
4.
5.

Archipelagic Countries: Art and Crafts


Southeast 1. Fabric Design
Asia 2. Cultural Icons
3. Sculpture
4.

Criteria 4 3 2 1 Score
Content All topics are Some topics Only a couple Only one
relevant are relevant of relevant relevant
topics topic

Visual All topics Some topics Only a couple Only one


Aids have have of topics topic had
illustrations illustrations or have illustration or
or samples samples illustrations sample
or samples
Coopera All members Only one A couple of Only one
tion presented member did members did member
not present not present presented
Total

194
Now its time for you to learn how to make
Southeast Asian artworks. Do the following
activities and have fun creating the artworks.
Follow the procedures carefully to produce
fabulous artworks!

PART II: WHAT TO PROCESS


ACTIVITY 4: Batik Making

Materials
canvas or old cotton fabric
fabric paint or acrylic paint (latex)
washable white glue or any washable blue gel glue
paint brushes
plastic wrap or plastic placemat

Procedure

1. Prepare your fabric. Cut the canvas or cotton fabric into the desired size.

2. Sketch a design (optional). If you plan on making a detailed picture, you can
lightly sketch your design onto the fabric. Another option you can do is to cut out
a picture or template and trace its outline on the fabric.

195
2. Make your batik design with glue. Place plastic wrap or a plastic placemat
under your fabric in case the glue seeps through. Squeeze the glue to
make lines and designs on your fabric. You can make simple designs like
flowers or geometric shapes, or do a complete picture. If you will use a
sketch, you simply have to apply glue along the lines of your drawing.

3. Allow the glue to dry. This will take around six hours or more, depending
on the weight of your fabric and the thickness of the glue lines. When
completely dry, the glue lines will turn transparent.

196
4. Remove the glue. Soak the fabric in warm water for 15 to 30 minutes. You
can do this in a basin or directly inside a sink or bathtub. The glue will
soften as it soaks longer. You can speed up the process by rubbing on the
areas with glue. After all the glue has been removed, hang the fabric to
dry.

5. Another method that does not involve soaking in water is to peel off
the dry glue lines directly from the fabric. This does not work for
certain types of fabric. However, it works well with canvas batik but not
on cotton tank top.

6. Apply finishing touches. Once your batik has dried, iron it and it is
ready to be framed or displayed as an artwork You may also hem the

197
edges to turn it into a placemat, napkin, or bandana. If you worked on
a large piece of batik, you can sew and transform it into a bag,
pillowcase, tablecloth, and other projects.

Rubric

Category Excellent Good Fair Poor


(5 pts) (4 pts) (3 pts) (2 pts)
Following Followed the Followed most Followed some Did not follow
Directions directions of the of the the directions
correctly directions directions

Creativity and Students Students Students Students output


Workmanship output is very output is good output is fair is dull with lots
creative and and tidy and has few of errors
tidy errors
Pattern Pattern of Pattern of Pattern of There is no
Southeast Southeast Southeast visible pattern of
Asian culture Asian culture is Asian culture is Southeast Asian
is well-defined visible but not somewhat culture
and used from clearly defined visible but not
beginning to continuous
end

198
ACTIVITY 5: Making a Wayang Kulit Puppet

Materials
pattern or template
old cardstock
watercolor
cutter
single hole punch or press punch
paper fasteners
wooden sticks or wooden skewers
string or nylon cord
clear gloss (optional)
gold or silver doilies

Procedure

1. Draw or trace the pattern of a character (Bima) on cardstock or


illustration board.

199
2. You can enlarge the pattern if you wish and then photocopy it directly
onto the cardstock or you may print off the pattern and then glue this
down to your cardstock or illustration board.

3. Cut out all the pieces of your puppet and paint them.

200
4. Using a single-hole puncher or the tip of a knitting needle, punch a hole
in all the little circles on the pattern. You can also add extra holes for
decoration as these look good in the shadow. These are your joints so
you can have some movement in your puppet. Attach some paper
fasteners. If the ends from a large fastener are too long, just fold it back
on itself or you
can trim them
off with
scissors.

4. Attach the main part of your


puppet to a stick using
adhesive tape.

201
5. The best way to attach
the wooden sticks to
the arms is by a string
so that you can get
better movement for
your puppet. Attach a
piece of string to the
stick using adhesive
tape. Wrap the string
around the wrist of the
puppet .This enables
the stick to move
sideways from the arm which makes the puppet easier to manipulate.

7. You can add a coat of clear gloss


varnish to your puppet so it will
last through many performances.

8. This is how the finished product


should look. Bima is one of the
five sons of King Pandu.
Research and you can find
many images of wayang kulit characters as well as some of the
traditional plays and you can build your own little puppet troupe.

202
Rubric

Category Excellent Good Fair Poor


(5 pts) (4 pts) (3 pts) (2 pts)
Following Followed the Followed most Followed some Did not follow
Directions directions of the of the the directions
correctly directions directions
Creativity and Students output Students Students Students output
Workmanship is very creative output is good output is fair is dull with lots
and tidy and tidy and has few of errors
errors

Pattern Pattern of Pattern of Pattern of There is no


Southeast Asian Southeast Southeast visible pattern of
culture is well- Asian culture is Asian culture is Southeast Asian
defined and visible but not somewhat culture
used from clearly defined visible but not
beginning to continuous
end

ACTIVITY 6: Making a Merlion Statue Model

Materials
soap
knife
cutter
pencil
old newspaper / cardboard

Procedure

1. Choose a bar of
soap. Any soap
will work; however,
a larger bar is
easier to hold and
gives more
material to work
with. Make sure
you have a well-
covered area to do your soap carving on.

203
2. Choose a knife to use.
Soap is fairly soft, so a
sharp knife is not
absolutely necessary.
Plastic knives, spoons, or
popsicle sticks would also
work. This is especially
important to note to
prevent any accidents from
using sharp knives.

3. Draw an outline of your carving on one


side of the soap. You can either draw
the outline first using a pencil, or
directly use a knife, orange wood
stick, or toothpick to scrape the outline
into the soap.

4. Remove the soap outside


the outline using small
slivers or chips. Make sure
to scrape away only small
portions at a time, as it
would be easier to remove
than to put back an over
scraped portion. Cutting off
too much would cause the
soap to break off into
chunks.

204
5. Add details to the inside of your outline to refine the design further.
When the carving is finished, wet your finger and rub the surface of the
soap to create a smooth finish. Allow it to dry and harden for a day.

The Finished Product

205
Rubric

Category Excellent Good Fair Poor

Following Followed the Followed most Followed some Did not follow
Directions directions of the of the the directions
correctly directions directions

Creativity and Students output Students Students Students output


Workmanship is very creative output is good output is fair is dull with lots
and tidy and tidy and has few of errors
errors
Pattern Pattern of Pattern of Pattern of There is no
Southeast Asian Southeast Southeast visible pattern of
culture is well- Asian culture Asian culture is Southeast Asian
defined and used is visible but somewhat culture
from beginning to not clearly visible but not
end defined continuous

ACTIVITY 7: Sky Lantern Making

Watch a video presentation of a Floating Lanterns Festival at Yi Peng


/ Loy KrathongChiang Mai, Thailand.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9Ko-yvJzHU). After watching the video,
you will make a sky lantern with your group.

Materials

fabric from an unused rag or towel


household candle
lighter or flame source
plate or tray
aluminum foil
18" (45.7 cm) piece of florist's wire
bamboo skewers
razor blade or utility knife
non-flammable tape
16 to 20 sheets of kitchen paper towel or 8 to 10 sheets tissue paper
plastic or canvas drop cloth
protective clothing
fireproofing spray (paper fireproofing spray can be purchased at a local
hardware supplier)

206
1 large piece of brown craft paper
pencil
ruler or tape measure
white school glue
lighter or match

Procedure

Create the Candle

1. Tie the fabric into a


tight knot. Trim the
end pieces so they
are approximately 1"
(2.5 cm) on each
side. The end pieces
will become the wicks
of the candle that will
propel your sky
lantern much as a
flame propels a hot
air balloon.

2. Center the two 24"


(60 cm) pieces of
florist's wire over the
knot. The two pieces
should be
perpendicular to
each other with their
midpoints
overlapping on top of
the knot.

207
3. Wrap the wires around
the knot and twist them
tightly to make them
secure. The four wire
ends should be
approximately 9" to 10"
(23 to 25 cm) long on
each side so that they are
long enough to reach the
lantern's bamboo frame.
Set the wire-wrapped
knot aside.

4. Place the candle over a lighter or other open flame until the wax melts
into a liquid state. You should also place a plate or a tray beneath to
catch the wax as it melts

5. Place the knot into the


hot, melted wax and let
it soak for three to five
minutes.

6. Remove the newly created


wick from the wax. As it
cools, the wax will harden.

7. Wrap the aluminum-foil


strip around the knot in the
center of the wick. Twist
the ends of the foil strip
around the metal wire so
that they cover the wire
completely.

208
Construct the Bamboo Frame and Add the Candle

1. Cut three bamboo skewers in half lengthwise using either a razor blade
or a utility knife. Run the split bamboo through the flame of a candle
while subtly bending it. This will make the bending job easier and you
should be able to form a full circle in less than five minutes.

2. Line the split bamboo up end to end on a table to make a single long
strip. The bottom end of one skewer should overlap with the top end of
another skewer to create a 1" (2.5 cm) overlapping connection point.

209
3. Secure the overlapping connection points together with non-flammable
tape.

4. Bring the right and left tips of the long strip together. Again, create a 1"
(2.5 cm) overlap with the tips. Secure the tips together with tape to
make a circle.

5. Tape the ends of the foil-wrapped wires that protrude from the wick to
opposite sides of the bamboo frame. The wires should cross the exact
center of the circle so that the circle is divided into four equal quarters.
The candle should be in the middle of the circle and supported by the
wires that are attached to the bamboo frame. Twist the wires around the
frame. Wrap the wire connections with tape to make them more secure.

210
Fireproof the Paper

1. Hang 16 to 20 pieces of
kitchen paper towel (or
about half that of tissue
paper) on a clothesline
using clothespins (pegs).

2. Place a plastic or canvas drop


cloth under the paper to catch
any dripping.

3. Spray both sides of each


piece of paper thoroughly
with the fireproofing spray.
Avoid spraying the points
where the clothespins are
holding the paper.
Otherwise, the paper will
tear. Allow the pieces to dry
before you continue working
with them.

211
Create a Pattern for the Balloon

1. Draw a vertical line 40" (about 1 meter) long down the center of the
brown craft paper. Use a tape measure or a ruler to measure your line
precisely.

2. Draw a horizontal line 12" (30 cm) long at the base of the vertical line.
The line should be perpendicular to the vertical line, and the base of the
vertical line should touch the midpoint of the horizontal line so that you
have 6" (15 cm) on either side of the vertical line.

212
3. Draw a second horizontal line that is 22" (1/2 meter) long
approximately two-thirds of the way up the vertical line. The second
horizontal line should be parallel to the first, and the vertical line should
also cross through the midpoint of the horizontal line so that you have
11" (28 cm) on either side of the vertical line.

4. Connect the two horizontal lines by sketching a line that curves gently
inward before meeting the vertical line. The line should extend from the
right end of the bottom horizontal line, curve inward, and then stretch out
to meet the right end of the second horizontal line.

5. Draw a second line mirroring the line that you just drew to connect the
left tips of the two horizontal lines. Sketch mirroring lines that connect
each end of the upper horizontal line to the top of the vertical line. This

213
will finish the shape of your pattern, which should look like the pointed
blade of a tropical ceiling fan.

6. Cut the shape that you've drawn out of the brown craft paper using
scissors. This shape will serve as the pattern for creating your balloon.

Finish the Balloon

1. Lay the 16 to 20
fireproofed paper pieces
on a flat surface. Set out
two rows consisting of 16
to 20 pieces of kitchen
paper towel (or 8 to 10
pieces of tissue).

2. The top, shorter width of


one row of papers should
touch the bottom, shorter
width of the other piece of
row papers.

3. Overlap the
connected ends
of the papers by
about 1" (2.5 cm)
so that you can
glue them
together.

214
4. Use a non-flammable
glue to seal the
overlapped ends of
the papers together.
Allow the overlapped
seams to dry while
they lay on the flat
surface. When gluing
the paper, gently
spread it out
do not blot. This way,
you can avoid glue
marks in the paper
(and blotting can cause weakening in the balloon body's adhesion).

5 Lay one 2-piece panel of


paper towel / tissue paper
over the brown craft paper
pattern. Center the pattern
piece beneath the paper
towel / tissue paper and
cut the paper towel / tissue
paper with scissors so that
it matches the exact size
and shape of the pattern
that you've placed beneath
it.

6. Repeat this step with the


remaining 2-piece paper
panels

215
7. Connect the pointed tips of
the paper towel / tissue
paper panels together. Glue
the tips together so that they
are secure, leaving the base
open to create a large bag.

Complete the Sky Lantern

1. Attach the opening of the


paper bag to the bamboo
frame. Tuck the frame
about 1" (2.5 cm) inside the
opening of the bag.

2. Fold the end of the paper


bag upward to cover the
frame. Glue the folded end
to the inside of the balloon
to secure the frame to the
balloon. Allow the glue to
dry completely before
attempting to launch the lantern.

3. Take your lantern outside at


night or at dusk. Light the
wicks, which are the ends that
protrude from the wax-dipped
knot, and hold the lantern for
a few seconds until the wicks
catch fire completely. Make
your wish. Then, let go of the
lantern.

216
Sky lanterns can cause flames. There is the danger that it can cause
fire when landing on flammable ground or on any materials that can burn.
Be sure that the wind is not strong to achieve great height. Launch the
lantern in an open air or in a safe place like a field.

Rubric

Category Excellent Good Fair Poor


(5 pts) (4 pts) (3 pts) (2 pts)
Following Followed the Followed most Followed Did not follow
Directions directions of the directions some of the the directions
correctly directions
Creativity and Students Students Students Students
Workmanship output is very output is good output is fair output is dull
creative and and tidy and has few with lots of
tidy errors errors
Pattern Pattern of Pattern of Pattern of There is no
Southeast Southeast Asian Southeast visible pattern
Asian culture is culture is visible Asian culture of Southeast
well-defined but not clearly is somewhat Asian culture
and used from defined visible but not
beginning to continuous
end

217
ACTIVITY 8: Songkok Making
Watch the video Our reflections as he made the Songkok.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJRemUxTwJ8&feature=related)
After watching the video, you will make a songkok.

Materials

pattern or template needle


old cloth scissors thread
sewing machine cutter
decorative recycled materials

Rubric

Category Excellent Good Fair Poor


(5 pts) (4 pts) (3 pts) (2 pts)
Following Followed the Followed most Followed some Did not follow
Directions directions of the of the directions the directions
correctly directions

Creativity and Students output Students Students output Students


Workmanship is very creative output is good is fair and has output is dull
and tidy and tidy few errors with lots of
errors
Pattern Pattern of Pattern of Pattern of There is no
Southeast Asian Southeast Southeast Asian visible pattern
culture is well- Asian culture culture is of Southeast
defined and is visible but somewhat Asian culture
used from not clearly visible but not
beginning to end defined continuous

ACTIVITY 9: Making a Wau Kite (Malay Kite)

Materials

colored garbage bag bamboo sticks


white glue cutter yarn
paint brushes scotch tape
latex paint metallic paper

218
Procedure

1. Use one stick as


the center of the
kite.

2. Take two sticks and tie


both ends together
tightly with string. Pull
the two sticks apart
into an oval shape. Tie
it to the upper part of
the main stick.

3. Take another two


sticks and tie both ends
together tightly. Bend
the two sticks into a
crescent shape. Tie it
to the lower part of the
spine stick. Tie more
string or you may add
bamboo sticks to
support the kite frame.

219
4. Place the completed kite
frame on the colored
garbage bag and trace
the outline of the oval
and crescent. Draw a 1
cm border edge around
the outline.

5. Design your kite with


latex paint.

220
6. Cut out the metallic
paper with floral designs.

7. Paste the cutout metallic design


on your kite.

8. Cut thin strips of colored


garbage bag and paste
them on as kite tails.

221
9. You may decorate your kite
with glitter.

Rubric

Category Excellent Good (4 pts) Fair (3 pts) Poor (2 pts)


(5 pts)
Following Followed the Followed most Followed some Did not follow
Directions directions of the directions of the the directions
correctly directions

Creativity and Students output Students output Students Students


Workmanship is very creative is good and tidy output is fair output is dull
and tidy and has few with lots of
errors errors
Pattern Pattern of Pattern of Pattern of There is no
Southeast Asian Southeast Asian Southeast visible
culture is well- culture is visible Asian culture is pattern of
defined and but not clearly somewhat Southeast
used from defined visible but not Asian culture
beginning to continuous
end

Good job! Did you have fun creating


artworks from Southeast Asia? Do you
think these types of artworks can be
used for business opportunities?

222
PART III: WHAT TO REFLECT AND UNDERSTAND
ACTIVITY 10:

On a sheet of paper, answer the following questions:

1. What Philippine artwork/s have similar characteristics with the artworks


discussed in this unit?

2. Is Philippine art as marketable as those of our Southeast Asian


neighbors?

ACTIVITY 11:

Based on the lessons, how would you compare the sculptures in


Southeast Asia? What characteristics are different or common? Write your
answers on a manila paper.
1. Merlion
2. Sri Mariammam
3. Borobudur
4. The World of Asean
5. Phra Bang
6. Angkor Wat
7. Wat Pho

Art has been part of Southeast


Asian culture through the centuries. Do
you still have the artworks you have
made? Its time to show your artworks.
Turn to the next page.

223
PART IV: WHAT TO PERFORM
1. Create an art exhibit focusing on Southeast Asian arts using your own
artworks.
2. You need to prepare the exhibit area for your audience.
3. Answer questions from your audience regarding your artworks.
4. The exhibit should be documented.

ASSESSMENT

Criteria Very good Good Average Needs Score


(10 pts) (6 pts) (4 pts) improvement
(2 pts)
Order Exhibit Some Several Exhibit was
was parts of the exhibited not
arranged exhibit artworks arranged
properly were out of were out properly
place of place
Cooperation All group Most of the Some Only one
members group group member
exhibited members members exhibited
their exhibited exhibited his / her
artworks their their artwork
artworks artworks
Resourcefulness All Most of the Some of Only one
members members the member
used used members used
recycled recycled used recycled
materials materials recycled materials
materials
Total Points

224
SUMMARY
Archipelagic Southeast Asia (ASEA) is comprised of tens of
thousands of islands and a small part of mainland Southeast Asia. It
encompasses the countries of Philippines, Timor-Leste, Indonesia,
Brunei, Malaysia, and Singapore.

Indonesian dance-dramas in the form of puppets are the wayang


topeng, wayang orang, wayang kulit, and wayang golek.

Wayang, in modern Indonesian language, is loosely translated to


mean "show" or "performance."

Kulit means "skin" a reference to the leather material that the figures
are carved out of.

The term batik is an Indonesian-Malay word believed to be related to


the Malay word titik, which means point, dot, or drop.

Relief sculptures were done with stone, marble, bronze, and many
other substances.

There are three main types of relief sculptures: alto (high), bas (low),
and sunken.

The songkok or peci or kopiah is a cap widely worn in Indonesia,


Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, the southern Philippines, and southern
Thailand, mostly among Muslim males.

The Merlion is a mythical creature with the head of a lion and the body
of a fish used as a mascot and national personification of Singapore.
Its name combines "mer" meaning the sea and "lion."

Glossary

Angkor a substance mixed with paint to soften the gold so it adheres more
smoothly

Artisan a skilled manual worker; a craftsperson

Alto a form of relief sculpture almost completely carved from its surface. It
is highly shaped, with very little of the structure touching the base or plane.

225
Batik an art medium and methodology for creating design, usually on
cloth, by applying wax to portions of the material and then dyeing it, then
removing the wax. This can be done to make vibrant colors and incredible
designs.

Bima the second son of King Pandu in wayang kulit

Canting to tilt or turn

Dalang a puppet master, a shadow master, a literary and linguistics


master, and a leader

Dye a substance used to color materials, also called dyestuff

Folk Art art originating among the common people of a nation or region
and usually reflecting their traditional culture and history

Gamelan an integral part of all cultural activities in Java such as Wayang


Kulit (leather puppets) performance, court dance, uyon-uyon (symphony
orchestra performance), etc.

Hol Khmer clothing, defined by its myriad of designs in a single piece


of fabric

Ikat a method of printing woven fabric by tie-dyeing the warp yarns (warp
ikat) the weft yarns (weft ikat) or both (double ikat) before weaving

Indochina a peninsula of South Eastern Asia that includes Myanmar,


Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam

King Pandu the younger brother of King Drutharashtra who rules


Hasthinapur

Loy Krathong festival in Thailand

Mahabharata an epic that tells of Ancient India

Menkuang is a huge pandan-like plant that grows along the back


mangroves and is also found in Malaysia

Merlion is a mythical creature with the head of a lion and the body of a
fish, used as a mascot and national personification of Singapore. Its name
combines "mer" meaning the sea and "lion"

226
Papier Mache a material made from paper pulp or shreds of paper mixed
with glue or paste that can be molded into various shapes when wet and
becomes hard and suitable for painting and varnishing when dry

Ramayana one of the two great Indian epics that tells about life in India
around 1000 BCE

Relief the projection of forms or figures from a flat ground, so that they are
partly or wholly free of it

Sihn the simple elegant ankle-length skirt worn by Lao women

Silapin Thailand artist

Sky lantern a small hot-air balloon made of paper with an opening at the
bottom where a small candle or fire is placed. It is used for some Southeast
Asian events.

Songkok a cap widely worn in Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, the


southern Philippines and southern Thailand, mostly among Muslim males

Wayang kulit a type of puppet shadow play performed around the Indo-
Malayan archipelago, tracing its origins to India. It is derived from a
Javanese Hindu-Buddhist tradition, where hand-crafted leather puppets
depict epic stories of the gods in shadow play. A traditional gamelan
orchestra can accompany the storytelling.

Wau a traditional kite that is especially popular in the state of Kelantan, on


the East Coast of Malaysia

Wayang golek are wooden doll puppets that are operated from below by
rods connected to the hands.

References

http://Wikipedia.com
http://www.illustrationsof.com/royalty-free-asian-woman-clipart-illustration-
213065.jpg
http://www.google.com.ph/imgres?q=wayang+kulit&num=10&um=1&hl=en&
biw=1366&bih=667&tbm
http://www.sparklebox.co.uk/gallery/gal341-
345/_wp_generated/ppcae09667_0f.jpg
http://talk.onevietnam.org/ao-dai-history-and-significance-in-vietnamese-
culture/
227
http://www.gotlaos.com/silskma.html
http://www.thefolkartgallery.com/blog/?cat=82
http://www.marlamallett.com/indochina-2.htm
http://www.illustrationsof.com/royalty-free-asian-woman-clipart-illustration-
213065.jpg
http://www.google.com.ph/imgres?q=wayang+kulit&num=10&um=1&hl=en&
biw=1366&bih=667&tbm
http://blog.pantone.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/photo.jpg
http://www.google.com.ph/imgres?q=southeast+asian+arts&um=1&hl=en&sa
=X&biw=1366&bih=667&
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3574/3432688735_9cf75d3532_z.jpg
http://www.curriculum.edu.au/verve/_resources/A_Thai_folk_story.pdf
http://practicalthaidotcom.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/msv-30-
e1304107598294.jpg
http://www.asia-art.net/manual_arts_in_thai_tradition.htm
http://www.asiatranspacific.com/travel-destinations/myanmar#!/group-
trip/burma-land-of-the-golden-pagoda
http://www.ehow.com/how_8608016_make-pagoda-out-clay.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_12142749_build-pagoda-school-project.html
http://www.library.umaine.edu/theses/pdf/KiriwatAX2001.pdf
http://www.masksoftheworld.com/Orient/Thai%20Khon%20Mask%202.htm
http://www.ehow.com/how_4886553_create-childs-art-portfolio.html
http://www.thefreedictionary.com
http://thajonboard.wordpress.com/culture-heritage/games-pastimes/
Wayang_kulit_(Javanese_shadow_puppetry)_characters
http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/asia/s/sha
dow_puppet_of_bima.aspx
http://www.sbg.org.sg/index.asp
http://www.theatlanticcities.com/arts-and-lifestyle/2012/07/singapore-airport-
unveils-worlds-largest-kinetic-art-sculpture/2546
http://www.123rf.com/photo_4989337_sculptures-in-sri-mariamman-temple-
the-oldest-hindu-temple-in-singapore-built-in-1827-along-telok-ay.htm
http://www.sbg.org.sg/index.asp
http://www.orientalarchitecture.com/singapore/singapore/srimariamman.php
http://www.rtb.gov.bn/NewsUpdate/2003/July03/230703/main7.htm
http://museum.bu.ac.th/newsletter3.pdf

228
229
You are about to embark on a
new venture to other East Asian
countries after you have travelled
from the Southeast.

INTRODUCTION
In this unit, you will learn about East Asian countries specifically
China, Japan, and Korea. These countries have been noted for their
numerous similarities and commonalities in their art production, artistic
traditions, and principles of arts as influenced by their history, beliefs,
religion, location, culture, and dynasty.

This unit will introduce you to the arts and crafts of China, Japan, and
Korea such as painting, calligraphy, pottery, paper kites, knot tying,
woodblock printing, ukiyo-e, and paper cutting. You will learn that these
countries focus on nature as their subjects or themes in their arts and crafts.
Learning the art concepts of China, Japan, and Korea will be helpful in
making your tasks and projects through varied activities provided for you to
enhance your skill and deepen your understanding and appreciation about
the arts of East Asia.

OBJECTIVES
At the end of this unit, you are expected to:

identify the characteristics of arts and crafts found in China, Japan,


and Korea like painting, pottery, paper arts
.
analyze art elements (color, line, shape, etc.) and principles (texture,
proportion, emphasis, harmony, etc.) in the production of art in China,
Japan, and Korea

230
reflect on and derive the mood, idea, or message emanating from
paintings, paper artworks, pottery, ikebana, face painting, and
architecture, of China, Japan, and Korea by comparing their
similarities and differences

determine and evaluate the effectiveness of mood, idea, or message


as shown by the visual image in the arts and crafts of Japan, China,
and Korea
trace the external (foreign) and internal (indigenous) influences that
are reflected in the artworks and crafts from China, Korea, and Japan
through research and video clip viewing

231
PRE-ASSESSMENT
ACTIVITY 1: Travel to East Asia
As you move around the following countries, group each picture
according to the country they belong to by writing its number under the
correct heading. Do this in your notebook.

CHINA JAPAN KOREA

Image from skisoldiers.blogspot.com


Image from commons.wikimedia.org Image from
commons.wikimedia.org

Image from wikipedia.org


Image by Real Delos Reyes II
Image from wikipedia.org (Collection of
Paul V. and Elizabeth Colaianni)

Image by Real Delos Reyes II Image from commons.wikimedia.org

Image from
commons.wikimedia.org

232
You'll find out your score later in the
module. Now, gauge your knowledge of
Chinese, Japanese, and Korean art and
culture based on how well you answered
the activity in the previous page. Was it
difficult or quite easy for you? Rate
yourself.

Score Remarks Comments

9 Excellent You know the artworks, art forms, and


landmarks of China, Japan, and Korea well.

7-8 Very Good You know some of the artworks and


landmarks of China, Japan, and Korea.

4-6 Good You have the basic knowledge of the artworks


and landmarks of China, Japan, and Korea.

0-3 Poor You still need to double your effort in learning


about the artworks and landmarks of China,
Japan, and Korea.

You are really smart! I am sure


you will enjoy your tour of China,
Japan, and Korea as you move on to
another pre-assessment activity. Good
luck!

233
ACTIVITY 2: Match and Fill

Written below are descriptions of the arts and crafts of China, Korea,
and Japan. A Word Pool is given on the next page which contains the
word/s that match the descriptions. Write your answers in the boxes before
each number. Read and share your answers with your partner then discuss
your answers. Do this in your notebook.

1. The art that is considered as one of the


1. oldest and most highly refined among
the arts of Japan

2. 2. It is regarded as the highest form of


Chinese painting.

3. 3. The art of beautiful handwriting

4. 4. Arts and crafts flourished during this


period in Korean history.
5. A technique for printing text, images, or
patterns used widely throughout East
5.
Asia and originating in China in
antiquity as a method of printing on
textiles and paper.

6. 6. The best known type


of Japanese woodblock art print

7. The era in Korean paintings that offers


7. the richest variety and are the styles
most imitated today.

8. 8. The art of paper folding in Japan

9. The three concepts of art reflected


mostly in the artworks and crafts in
9.
China, Japan, and Korea

10. It is also known as jingju lianpu that is


10. done with different colors in accordance
with the performing characters
personality and historical assessment.

234
WORD POOL

Origami Woodblock Printing Heaven, Earth, Mankind Calligraphy

Painting Landscape Painting Peking Face-Paint Chosun Period

Ukiyo-e Four Gracious Plants Kabuki Face-Paint Koryo Period

Congratulations!
I can feel that you are eager to know
your score but look at the smiley pictures
below to evaluate your answers. Are you
ready?

10 points 8-9 Points 4-7 Points 0-3 Points


You have an You have very You have good You have poor
excellent good knowledge information information
knowledge about about East Asian about East Asian about East
East Asian arts. arts. arts. Asian arts.

235
LEARNING GOALS AND TARGETS

In the first unit I have learned about Southeast Asian countries.


Now, at the end of this unit:

I want to know about __________________________________.


I want to learn how to _________________________________.
I want to understand __________________________________.
I want to make or produce _____________________________.

PART I: WHAT TO KNOW


Get ready to visit and learn about
the characteristics of the arts of China,
Japan, and Korea.

PAINTING IN CHINA, JAPAN, AND KOREA

If you were asked to make a painting, what would you paint? Why
would you choose that?

I will paint because ___________________________________.

What do you call the things you


are going to paint?

In East Asia, the objects or


items that are usually put into paintings
are called subjects, themes, or motifs.
These may be about animals, people,
landscapes, and anything about the
environment.

236
ACTIVITY 3:
Identify the subjects of the paintings below. Write the answers in your
notebook.

Image from wikipedia.org (Song Image from art-virtue.com (Yuan Dynasty) Image from cognitiative.com
Dynasty)

Image from commons.wikimedia.org Image from the-gallery-of-china.com


Image from the-gallery-of-
china.com

Image from Image from commons.wikimedia.org


commons.wikimedia.org
Image from wikipedia.org

After checking your answers, continue to the next page to learn more
about East Asian arts.

237
Did you know that painting started from prehistoric men? They used red
ochre and black pigment. Early paintings often showed hunting scenes of man
chasing various animals such as horses, rhinoceros, lions, buffaloes, mammoths,
and others. These types of prehistoric paintings were drawn on the walls of caves,
blocks of stone, etc. Some are found in China.

Image source from wikipedia.org

The history of Eastern painting is as old as the civilization of China. It is


historically comparable to Western painting. Eastern countries continued to
influence each others production of arts over the centuries.

Image from wikipedia.org Spring Outing of the Tang Court

238
What other important information
do you need to remember in East Asian
Arts?
In Activity 3, you were asked to
identify and list the subjects in the given
paintings. Now, verify your answers with
the following information.

Country Painting Subjects or Themes


CHINA
1. flowers and birds 4. human figures
2. landscapes 5. animals
3. palaces and temples 6. bamboos and
stones

JAPAN 1. scenes from everyday life


2. narrative scenes crowded with figures
and details

SOUTH KOREA Subjects are divided into five categories:

1. landscape paintings
2. Minhwa (the traditional folk painting)
3. Four gracious plants (plum blossoms,
orchids or wild orchids,
chrysanthemums, and bamboo)
NORTH KOREA 4. bamboo
5. portraits

239
Important Aspects in East Asian Painting

Landscape painting was regarded as the highest form of Chinese


painting. They also consider the three concepts of their arts: Heaven,
Earth, and Humankind (Yin-Yang). Chinese society, basically
agricultural, has always laid great stress on understanding the pattern
of nature and living in accordance with it. Oriental artists often created
landscapes rather than paintings with the human figure as subjects.

Silk was often used as the medium to paint upon, but it was quite
expensive. When the Han court eunuch, Cai Lun, invented paper in the
1st century AD, it provided not only a cheap and widespread medium for
writing but painting became more economical.

Reading Source: History of Painting from wikipedia.org

240
www.metmuseum.org toah

241
242
Shutousansui-zu Sesshu
(Winter landscape)

The ideologies of Confucianism,


Daoism, and Buddhism played
important roles in East Asian art.

Chinese art expresses the human


understanding of the relationship
between nature and humans. This
is evident in the form of painting
of landscapes, bamboo, birds,
and flowers, etc. This might be
called the metaphysical, Daoist
aspect of Chinese painting.

Reading Source: Chinese Painting from


wikipedia.org
Poet on mountain

243
To make make your painting interesting and realistic apply these
Six Principles of Chinese Painting established by Xie He, a writer, art
historian and critic in 5th century China.

1. Observe rhythm and movements. .


2. Leave spaces for the eyes to rest.
3. Use brush in calligraphy.
4. Use colors correctly.
5. Live up to tradition by copying the masters artwork.
6. Copy the correct proportion of the objects and nature.

The history of Korean painting dates to 108 CE, when it first appears as
an independent form. It is said that until the Joseon dynasty the primary
influence of Korean paintings were Chinese paintings. However, Korean
paintings have subjects such as landscapes, facial features, Buddhist
topics, and an emphasis on celestial observation in keeping with the
rapid development of Korean astronomy.

Mountains and water are important features in Korean landscape


painting because it is a site for building temples and buildings.

Landscape painting represents both a portrayal of nature itself and a


codified illustration of the human view of nature and the world.

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/mowa/hd_mowa.htm

What daily activities are seen in


the following painting?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Iwasa_Ma
tabei_002.jpg

244
ACTIVITY 4: Painting Analysis

Write your interpretation in your Arts notebook.


I can see ________________________________________________ .

The class will be divided into four


groups. Evaluate your answers within your
group.

Excellent You have a wide understanding and knowledge about


the meanings and symbols of East Asian artworks.
Very Good You have knowledge about the meanings and symbols
of East Asian artworks.
Good You have some knowledge about the meanings and
symbols of East Asian artworks.
Poor You have little knowledge about the meanings and
symbols of East Asian artworks.

Painting is closely related to


calligraphy among the Chinese people.
What is calligraphy?

Your beautiful handwriting is considered calligraphy. So, keep on


writing not only beautifully but also artistically.

245
To the Chinese, calligraphy is
the art of beautiful handwriting.
Traditional painting involves essentially
the same techniques as calligraphy and
is done with a brush dipped in black or
colored ink; oils are not used. In
calligraphy, the popular materials which
paintings are made of are paper and
silk. Poets write their calligraphy on their
paintings.

Your paintings can


be mounted on
scrolls, such as
hanging scrolls or
hand scrolls, album
sheets, walls,
lacquerware, folding
screens, and other
media.

246
Vertical Scroll Lacquerware Album-leaf Horizontal
Scroll

Images from newchinesepaintings.com and hiddenconnections.files.wordpress.com

Enrich Your Knowledge about Chinese Calligraphy

Did you know that the earliest known Chinese logographs (ancient
writing symbols) are engraved on the shoulder bones of large animals and
on tortoise shells?

For this reason, the script found on these objects is commonly


called jiaguwen, or shell-and-bone script. It was said that Cangjie, the
legendary inventor of Chinese writing, got his ideas from observing
animals footprints and birds claw marks on the sand as well as other
natural phenomena. He then started to work out simple images from what
he conceived as representing different objects such as:

Temples are the usual


subjects in East Asian painting. Now,
observe the roofs of the temples and
buildings in China, Japan, and Korea.
Do you notice their sweeping roofs?
Why do they have this unique type of
roof?

247
ACTIVITY 5: Roofs Hidden Meanings

In your notebook, complete this sentence:


East Asian temples have sweeping roof because_______________.

THUMBS UP if you
answered it right!

THUMBS DOWN if you


did not try to answer.

Look at the roofs of the painted


temple or building. It sweeps
away right? This is an aspect that
you need to remember when
painting or drawing East Asian
temples. Read on.

248
East Asian temples and
houses have sweeping roofs
because they believe that it
will protect them from the
elements of water, wind, and
fire. Buddhists believed that it
helped ward off evil spirits
which were deemed to be
straight lines. The figures at
the tips are called roof
guards.

There are three main types of roofs in traditional Chinese architecture


that influenced other Asian architecture:

1. Straight inclined
These are more
economical for common
Chinese architecture.

2. Multi-inclined roofs
with two or more
sections inclined.
These roofs are used
for residences of
wealthy Chinese.

249
3. Sweeping have curves
that rise at the corners of
the roofs. These are
usually reserved for
temples and palaces
although these may also
be found in the homes of
the wealthy Chinese.
Originally, the ridges of the
roofs are usually highly
decorated with ceramic
figurines.

What else should you remember


about painting roofs?

ACTIVITY 6: Painting or Not?

\
Look at the artwork on the next page and
answer these questions on a sheet of paper.
1. Identify the country that is depicted in the
picture.
2. How was this picture produced?
Painting, drawing, etc.?
3. Describe the people in the picture.
4. Can this picture be on paper, fabric,
board, etc? What material was used?
5. What is the technique for printing text,
images, or patterns on textiles or paper?

250
View of Mount Fuji from Harajuku, part of the Fifty-three Stations of the Tkaid series by Hiroshige, published
185
Rating in Activity 6

Rating Indicators
You have answered all the 5 questions
correctly.
You have answered 4 questions correctly.

You have answered 2 to 3 questions


correctly.
You have 1 correct answer to the questions
in 6.

251
Did you know that there is a
unique artistic expression related
to painting in Japan known as
woodblock printing? What is
woodblock printing?

Woodblock printing is a technique for printing text, images, or


patterns used widely throughout East Asia. It originated in China as a
method of printing on textiles but eventually became a method for printing
on paper.

This method was adapted in Japan during the Edo period (1603-
1867) and became one of their oldest and most highly developed visual
arts.

The most common theme in Japan for printmaking describes scenes


from everyday life. It narrates the scene and is often packed with figures
and detail.

252
Japanese Ukiyo-e
Images from wikipedia.org

The best known and most popular style of


Japanese art is ukiyo-e, which is Japanese for
"pictures of the floating world and it is related to
the style of woodblock print making that shows
scenes of harmony and carefree everyday
living. Ukiyo-e art was produced in a diversity of
different media, including painting and became
an art domain of the upper classes and royalty
but later was also produced by the common
people.

Reading Resources:

Japan Woodblock Printing from thecraftyclassroom.com


Woodblock printing in Japan from wikipedia.org

Painting is indeed one of


the highest forms of arts in East
Asia. Do people from East Asia
use other materials as canvas
for painting?

Lets find out as we


move on to festivals and theater
performances in East Asia. Can
you describe the costumes
used in East Asian festivals and
theater performances?

253
Paintings in East Asia do
not only apply on paper, silk,
and wood. Performers of kabuki
in Japan and Peking opera in
China use their faces as the
canvas for painting while mask
painting is done in Korea.

We will have further


discussions on face painting in
Unit IV but in this unit you will
learn the meaning of colors for
face and mask painting.

254
East Asian countries have theatrical forms like Peking opera of China
and kabuki of Japan.

The performers from China and Japan usually paint faces depending
on the character or personification they are portraying. So aside from painting
on silk, paper, and printing on wood, Chinese and Japanese also painted their
face and Koreans painted masks for theatrical and festival performances.

Peking opera face painting or jingju lianpu is done with different


colors in accordance with the performing characters personality and historical
assessment. The hero type characters are normally painted in relatively
simple colors, whereas enemies, bandits, rebels, and others have more
complicated designs on their faces.

It is a traditional special way of makeup in Chinese operas in pursuit of


the expected effect of performance. Originally, lianpu is called the false
mask.

Reading Source: www.absolutechinatours.com

255
Meaning of Colors in Face Painting

Guan Ju Red indicates


devotion, courage, bravery,
uprightness, and loyalty.

Huang Pang Yellow signifies


fierceness, ambition, and cool-
headedness.

Zhu Wen A green face tells


the audience that the character
is not only impulsive and violent
but also lacks self-restraint.

256
Zhang Fei Black symbolizes
roughness and fierceness. The
black face indicates either a
rough and bold character or an
impartial and selfless
personality.

Lian Po Purple stands for


uprightness and cool-
headedness while a reddish-
purple face indicates a just and
noble character.

Cao Cao White suggests


treachery, suspiciousness,
and craftiness. It is common
to see the white face of the
powerful villain on stage.

257
Jiang Gan The clown or chou
in Chinese Opera has special
makeup patterns called
xiaohualian (the petty painted
face). Sometimes a small patch of
chalk is painted around the nose
to show a mean and secretive
character. At times, the
xiaohualian is also painted on a
young page or jester to enliven up
the performance.

Note: Gold and silver colors are usually used for gods and spirits.

Images from library.thinkquest.org

258
Kabuki Makeup of Japan

Kabuki makeup or kesho is already in itself an interpretation of the


actors own role through the medium of the facial features. On stage, this
interpretation becomes a temporalization of makeup in collaboration with the
audience. The result is a decoding of the drama traced out in the graphic
designs of the painted face. Masao Yamaguchi (quoted in The Painted
Body, 1984)
http://thestorybehindthefaces.com/2012/01/20/kumadori-japanese-kabuki-theatre-makeup/

Kabuki makeup is also another way of face painting which has two
types:

1. standard makeup applied to most actors


2. kumadori makeup applied to villains and heroes

It is composed of very dramatic lines and shapes using colors that


represent certain qualities.

dark red passion or anger


dark blue depression or sadness
pink youth
light green calm
black fear
purple nobility

Some examples of face painting are the mukimi-guma or suji-guma,


where the lines are painted onto an actors face. These are then smudged to
soften them.

http://www.vtcommons.org/sites/default/files/images/kabuki.jpg

The makeup and perfume worn throughout performances were highly


significant to the stories that were being told.

259
Kumadori : The Painted Faces of Japanese Kabuki Theater

260
Korean Masks

Korean masks, called tal or t'al, originated with religious meaning just
like the masks of other countries which also have religious or artistic origins.
Korea has a rich history of masks. They use it in funeral services to help
banish evil spirits and theater plays dating back to the prehistoric age.

Masks were also


used for shamanistic rites
and were kept within
temples where they were
honored with offerings. By
the 12th century, the masks
became part of elaborate
dances and dramas.

Images from wordpress.com

261
The Roles of Colors in Korean Masks

1. Black, Red, and White masks bright and vibrant colors that help
establish the age and race of the figure
2. Half Red and Half White mask symbolize the idea that the wearer has
two fathers, Mr. Red and Mr. White
3. Dark-faced mask indicates that the character was born of an adulterous
mother
Some masks have moving parts like winking or shifting eyes and moving
mouths. To further add to the lifelike features of the masks, black fabric is
draped from the top of the mask over the wearer's head to simulate hair.

Reading Source: http://www.ehow.com/about_6569376_korean-masks-history.html

Korean Traditional Painted Masks

262
Paper Arts and Knot Tying of China, Japan, and Korea

To begin with our next topics,


answer this question and the challenge
below.
When I was still a child, what
objects have you created using paper?

Back when I was a child, ___________________________________.

Situation: You are stranded on an


island with your little brother or little
sister and the only things you have
saved in your bag are a plastic
envelope with two sheets of bond paper
and a roll of sewing thread.

Challenge: While waiting for somebody


to rescue you, how can you use the two
materials to cheer up your brother?

Answer:
_______________________________
_____

263
What are the paper arts of China,
Japan, and Korea? Who invented
paper?

Paper has a great function in the


development of arts not only in East Asia
but all over the world.

Paper was first invented by Cai Lun of the Eastern Han


Dynasty in China. It is indeed one of the greatest contributions of ancient
China in the development of arts.

Paper Arts of China

1. Paper Cut 3. Paper Folding

2, Chinese Knots 4. Paper Kites

264
Chinese folk art is created with materials that are naturally found
within the locality. This shows that the Chinese are nature lovers.
Every folk artist has been inspired by the values of simplicity, the
ideology of their community, and the emotional and psychological
characteristics of their nation throughout major periods in history.
The earliest document showing
paper folding is a picture of a small paper
boat in an edition of Tractatus de Sphaera
Mundi from 1490 by Johannes de
Sacrobosco.

In China, traditional funerals


include burning yuanbao which is a
folded paper that looks like gold nuggets or ingots called sycee. This is also
used for other ceremonial practices. This kind of burning is commonly done at
their ancestors graves during the Ghost Festival.

Image from wikipedia.org

265
A sycee is a type of silver or gold ingot currency used in China until the
th
20 century. The name is derived from the Cantonese words meaning "fine
silk.

The gold paper folded to


look like a sycee.

Today, imitation gold sycees


are used as a symbol of prosperity by
Chinese and are frequently displayed
during the Chinese New Year.

Origami

The term origami came from ori meaning "folding" and kami
meaning "paper." It is the traditional Japanese art of paper folding, which
started in the 17th century AD and was popularized internationally in the mid-
1900s. It eventually evolved into a modern art form.

The goal of this art is to transform a flat sheet of paper into a finished
sculpture through folding and sculpting techniques without cutting as much as
possible.

Origami butterflies were used during the celebration of Shinto


weddings to represent the bride and groom, so paper folding had already
become a significant aspect of Japanese ceremonies by the Heian period
(7941185) in Japanese history.

Flowers, animals, birds, fish, geometric shapes, and dolls are the
common models used in Japanese origami.

266
Did you know that the best
known Japanese origami is the paper
crane?
An ancient Japanese legend
promises that anyone who folds a
thousand origami cranes will be granted
a wish by a crane. Some stories say you
are granted eternal good luck, instead of
just one wish, such as long life or
recovery from illness or injury and can
be given as a gift to anybody. They
believe that the crane is a mystical or
holy creature and is said to live for a
thousand years.

Images from papercraneweddings.wordpress.com

267
Have you seen any paper artwork
that look like these?

Decorative Chinese paper cuttings


are usually symmetrical in design when
unfolded and adapt the 12 animals of
the Chinese Zodiac as themes and
motifs and mostly choose the red color.
The earliest use of paper was made as
a pattern for lacquers, decoration on
windows, doors, and walls.
Chinese Buddhists believe that
hanging Window Flowers or
decorative paper cuttings, like pagodas
and other symbols of Good Luck,
attract good luck and drive away evil
spirits.
The process of paper cutting is aided
by a pair of scissors or knife and other
sharp flat cutters.

Jianzhi is the first type of paper


cutting design, since paper was invented by
the Chinese. The cutouts are also used to
decorate doors and windows. They are
sometimes referred to chung hu,
meaning window flower.

268
Kite Making
A kite is an assembled or joined aircraft that was traditionally made of
silk or paper with a bowline and a resilient bamboo.
Today, kites can be made out of
plastic. Kites are flown for recreational
purposes and to display ones artistic
skills.
Chinese kites originated in Wei
Fang, Sandong. China was the capital
city of kites during the Song
Dynasty (960-1279), and by the Ming
Dynasty (13681644). Since 1984 the
city has been hosting the largest
international kite festival on Earth.

According to Joseph Needham, one of


the important contributions of the
Chinese in science and technology
to Europe is the kite.

Did you know that:


The famous 5th century BC Chinese philosophers Mozi and Lu
Ban were said to be the inventor of kites. Later on, the paper kite
was used as a message for a rescue mission, for measuring
distances, testing the wind, lifting men, signalling, and
communication for military operations. The earliest
known Chinese kites were flat (not bowed) and often rectangular.
Later, tailless kites incorporated a stabilizing bowline. Kites were
decorated with mythological motifs and legendary figures.
(Source: wikipedia.org)

269
Chinese kites may be differentiated into four main categories:

1. Centipede
2. Hard-winged kites
3. Soft-winged kites
4. Flat kites
http://chinakites.org/htm/fzls-gb.htm

Woodcut print of a kite


from John Bate's 1635 book, The Mysteries of
Nature and Art in which the kite is titled, How to
make fire Drakes.

Knot Tying

In Korea, decorative
knot work is known as
maedeup or called
dorae or double
connection knot, often
called Korean knot work
or Korean knots.

270
Zhongguo is the
Chinese decorative
handicraft art that
began as a form of
Chinese folk art in
the Tang and Song
Dynasty (960-1279
AD) in China.

In Japan, knot
tying is called
hanamusubi. It
emphasizes on
braids and focuses
on individual knots.

271
PART II: WHAT TO PROCESS
Now, let us process the things
that you have learned about East Asian
arts. Remember that there are many
ways to make your own artwork. You
may select to do one or two from the
following activity.

ies.
ACTIVITY 6: Print Me a Message!
Write your message for a friend in Chinese or Japanese calligraphy.
Add your nickname at the bottom of the page with the use of a Chinese brush
and watercolor. You may add borders similar to the designs of Chinese paper
arts.

272
Japanese Calligraphy

273
Below is a sample of a Chinese message.

Here is a sample of a Japanese message.

274
Your artwork will be evaluated using these criteria:

Rubric

Excellent Good Fair Poor


Category (5 pts) (4 pts) (3 pts) (2 pts)
Following Followed the Followed most Followed some Did not follow
Directions directions of the of the directions the directions
correctly directions

Creativity and Students output Students Students output Students


Workmanship is very creative output is good is fair and has output is dull
and tidy and tidy few errors with lots of
errors
Pattern Pattern of East Pattern of East Pattern of East There is no
Asian culture is Asian culture is Asian culture is visible pattern
well-defined and visible but not somewhat of East Asian
used from clearly defined visible but not culture
beginning to end continuous

ACTIVITY 7: Paint Me a Picture

You can use any of the following medium in painting:

black / brown coffee (instant)


charcoal
gumamela flower extract
azuete
any colorful leaves, vegetables, and fruits
bricks (different colors) or flower pot (paso)

You can use the usual theme of Chinese paintings like nature (landscape,
flowers, fishes, plants, flowers) and use indigenous materials available in the
locality.

275
Art Medium 1: COFFEE

Materials Procedure
pencil For the 1st container:
instant coffee powder (2 spoonfuls) Mix two spoons of coffee powder
canvas board or watercolor paper with 3 spoons of water. Mix it well
brush to get a medium color.
natural varnish
container For the 2nd container:
tissue or rag Mix two spoons of coffee powder
with 2 spoons of water. Mix it well
to get a dark coffee color.
1. Trace a design on the
illustration board or canvas.
2. Apply medium color paint to be
the base of any picture.
3. Apply the dark color paint to do
the darker shadings and
outlines. Darker shade gives a
glossy effect to the picture. If
you want a lighter shade, just
mix few more drops of water.
http://isearch.babylon.com/?q=instant+coffee+p
ainting&s=images&as=0&babsrc=HP_ss 4. When the whole painting is
done, apply with natural
varnish coating.

276
Art Medium 2: EARTHEN POTS OR BRICKS
Materials Procedure
pencil 1. Pound the bricks by color until
kacha / illustration board / powder-like or very fine.
watercolor paper
Chinese brush (optional) or any For the 1st container: Add two
paint brush (preferably a pointed spoons of brick powder with 3
brush) spoons of water. Mix it well to
water get a medium color.
3-4 recycled small container or For the 2nd container: Add two
cups for mixing the different spoons of brick powder with 2
colors spoons of water. Mix it well to
1 brick for each color or pots (red, get a dark brick color.
green, brown)
small rag cloth / tissue 2. Trace a design on the
natural varnish illustration board or canvas.
3. Apply medium color paint to
be the base of any picture.
4. Use the dark color paint to do
the darker shadings and
outlines. Darker shade gives a
glossy effect for the picture. If
you want a lighter shade, just
mix a few more drops of
water.
http://ecx.images- 5. When the whole painting is
amazon.com/images/I/518Bmm-ly-
L._SL500_AA300_.jpg done, apply with natural
varnish coating.

277
Art Medium 3: VEGETABLES
Materials Procedure
okra, 1 or 2 pieces 1. Set out your card, paper, or any
pod of Baguio beans (or other type of paper you want to paint
banana midribs) on.
watercolor paper or oslo 2. Prepare your paints. Assemble a
paper color palette. Make a special palette
acrylic paint or any paint for the paint rather than dipping it
except watercolor directly into your usual paints to
avoid getting pieces of vegetable or
Note: For more colorful fruit stuck in the containers or tubes
medium use other vegetables which will eventually rot.
or fruits
3. Keep the consistency of the paint
fairly thin and fluid without being
watery. Don't make it too thick.
4. Create your first fruit and veggie
painting - a flower. The instructions
follow in the next few steps.
5. Paint the "flower" section first. Chop
off the okra top portion - breadth-
wise. Discard the small cut-off end.
Dip the end of the long piece left into
your color palette, choosing the
color that you like most. You are
http://www.wikihow.com/Image:Paint- trying to create a flower, so think of
With-Fruit-and-Vegetables-Step-6.jpg colors for flowers. Stamp your okra
like a rubber stamp on the desired
area of your paper. Try again but be
sure not to stamp too hard or the
design might smudge or even
disintegrate.
6. Paint the vegetable "leaves" next by
cutting a pod of Baguio beans
breadth-wise, in a slightly slanted
direction. With these, you can make
some leaves for the flower.
7. Dip them into green paint and stamp
them below your okra flowers. You
can also make Baguio bean petals
and make the center of the flower
using the rear end of a pencil.

278
Note: The use of soil / mud and azuete may follow similar procedures.
However, the azuete should be mashed with small amount of water first and
the soil should be strained using a fine strainer.

Rubric

Category Excellent Good (4 pts) Fair (2 pts) Poor (2 pts)


(5 pts)
Following Followed the Followed most Followed some Did not follow
Directions directions of the of the directions the directions
correctly directions

Creativity and Students output Students Students output Students


Workmanship is very creative output is good is fair and has output is dull
and tidy and tidy few errors with lots of
errors
Pattern Pattern of East Pattern of East Pattern of East There is no
Asian culture is Asian culture is Asian culture is visible pattern
well-defined and visible but not somewhat of East Asian
used from clearly defined visible but not culture
beginning to continuous
end

ACTIVITY 8: Print Me a Card

Make your own card using woodblock printing.

Materials
styrofoam tray
paint
paint brush / soft foam brush
pen
art paper
scissors

Guidelines
Use other improvised recycled materials as your woodblock if
styrofoam trays are not available.
Use Japanese themes and concepts for your design.
Follow the given steps.

279
Procedure

1. Get these trays from food packs used in the grocery or restaurants. Clean
them well.

2. Cut off the sides of your tray and discard. Cut the remaining rectangle
into a variety of sizes.

3. Use the tip of a pen or barbecue stick to etch your design when you are
ready.

280
4. Try to fill up your entire shape. Use different lines and even poke a few
holes if you have the space.

5. When your design is finished, paint over it with your color of acrylic paint
or any coloring powder, and a soft foam brush or cloth or rags

6. Color the surface only and not the etched lines.

281
7. After you've covered the surface with color, turn your foam over and press
firmly on your paper. Gently smooth over the entire shape.

8. Pick the foam off of the paper carefully. You will see your print
underneath.

9. Practice makes perfect. You may have some error prints but if you keep
doing it, you will find the right amount of paint to put on your foam. Choose
your best printout.

282
All done! Make yourself lots of different prints. Fold them into cards to
give away as gifts. Experiment with different colors too and you can also use
Japanese calligraphy as your design.

We will use the rubric below to evaluate your work together with your
classmates.

Criteria 5 4 3 2 Score
Quality of All 1-2 34 Most of the
craftsman instructions instructions instructions instructions
ship were were not were not were not
followed followed followed followed
correctly correctly correctly correctly
Punctuality Artwork was Artwork was Artwork Artwork
submitted submitted was was
on time one day late submitted submitted
two days three days
late late
Neatness Artwork Artwork Artwork Artwork
presentation presentation presentatio presentatio
was neat was mostly n was n was
and orderly neat and somehow disorderly
orderly neat and
orderly
Total Points

Descriptive Rating Total Points


Excellent 15
Very Good 12-14
Good 9-11
Fair 7-8
Poor 6

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ACTIVITY 9: Paint Me a Pot / Jar

Materials
small jar or pot coupon bond small paint brush
cup of water paint piece of rag

Procedure

1. Applying the Korean patterns and motifs that you have learned, draw a
design for your pot / jar painting on a clean sheet of coupon bond using a
pencil.
2. Prepare your small jar / pot for painting by wiping it with a piece of rag.
3. Prepare your painting materials.
4. Paint the pattern you have designed earlier.
5. You can use the following motifs:
lotus wave comb crane
dragon trees flower circles
Criteria for the Score
Individual 5 4 3 2
Artworks
Quality of All 1-2 34 Most of the
craftsmanship instructions instructions instruction instructions
were were not s were not were not
followed followed followed followed
correctly correctly correctly correctly
Visual Impact Artwork has Artwork Artwork Artwork has
(Use of colors, at more has only has only only two
lines, and than five four colors three colors
shapes, etc.) colors colors
Punctuality Artwork was Artwork Artwork Artwork was
submitted was was submitted
on time submitted submitted three days
one day two days late
late late
Neatness Artwork Artwork Artwork Artwork
presentation presentatio presentatio presentation
was neat n was n was was
and orderly mostly neat somehow disorderly
and orderly neat and
orderly
Total Points
Descriptive Rating Total Points
Excellent 18-20
Very Good 15-17
Good 12-14
Fair 9-11
Poor 8

284
East Asian countries do not only paint
on silk or on wood. Another way of
expressing their painting is through
face painting or mask painting.

Now, let us watch videos showing the


different ways on how to do the face
painting or mask painting. After
watching, try to follow any of the
ACTIVITY 10: Follow That Thing
videos.
Video 1: Face Painting a Beijing Opera Mask
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVJ3Z3irv18
Video 2: Making of Kabuki Face Paint
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wjn6hrJOcuY
Video 3: How to Make a Korean Mask
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYDmBSzbeR8

Now that you have tried


the painting activities taken in
Lesson 1, let us try to do the
paper cutting, folding, and
knotting of China, Japan, and
Korea. Choose at least two
activities out of the suggested
activities that follow.

ACTIVITY 11: The Art of Paper Cutting

Make an artwork out of colored or recycled paper and make your own
design of your paper cutting based on the subjects of Chinese painting or the
12 symbols of the Chinese Zodiac and Japanese paper folding.

Materials
2 red colored recycled papers 1 folder
cutter or pair of scissors 1 or 2 white or light colored paper

285
Samples

ACTIVITY 12: Paper Folding Sycee

Follow the procedure as stated and demonstrated.

Material
2 yellow bond paper

286
ACTIVITY 13: Japanese Origami or Water Bomb

Youll need any recycled papers like magazines, newspapers, and


colored papers. Create at least ten water bombs and butterflies with different
sizes.

287
Rubric

Criteria 5 4 3 2 Score
Quality of All 1-2 34 Most of the
Craftsman instructions instructions instructions instructions
ship were were not were not were not
followed followed followed followed
correctly correctly correctly correctly
Visual Artwork has Artwork Artwork Artwork
Impact at more has only has only has only
(Use of than five four colors three two colors
colors, colors colors
lines, and
shapes,
etc.)
Punctuality Artwork was Artwork Artwork Artwork
submitted was was was
on time submitted submitted submitted
one day two days three days
late late late
Neatness Artwork Artwork Artwork Artwork
presentation presentatio presentatio presentatio
was neat n was n was n was
and orderly mostly somehow disorderly.
neat and neat and
orderly orderly
Total Points

Descriptive Rating Total Points


Excellent 18 - 20
Very Good 15 - 17
Good 12 - 14
Fair 9 - 11
Poor 8

To expand your understanding


about East Asian paintings, try to do the
activities in the following pages.

288
PART III: WHAT TO REFLECT AND UNDERSTAND
ACTIVITY 14: Painting Analysis

Use the following pictures to compare the paintings from Japan, China,
and Korea. Identify the similarities in terms of the subjects and elements of
arts (color, space, texture, lines) used by each country by writing your
observations on a manila paper.

Chinese Paintings

Japanese Paintings

289
Korean Paintings

ACTIVITY 15: My Diary

Answer the following questions as if you were to write in a diary. Do this


in your notebook.

1. What did you observe about the arts of East Asian countries (Japan,
China, and Korea)?
2. What did you learn about East Asian arts?
3. What skills did you develop?
4. What did you feel while doing the activities?

Dear Diary,

I observed that the arts of Japan, China, and Korea are _____.

I learned that________________________________________.

Aside from the things I learned, I also developed my skills in_______.

While doing the activities, I felt ______________________________.

Sincerely yours,
________________________

290
ACTIVITY 16: Group Research

The class will be divided into three (3) groups. To deepen your
understanding about the East Asian arts, research on:

1. application of principles and elements of art


2. techniques and styles in the production of East Asian arts
3. brief history of East Asian arts

Discuss the research work by groups.

Group I Painting

Group II Paper Cutting and Folding

Group III Mask Painting

Note: All the research should be kept for the


culminating activity that will serve as a source of information / reading
references.

So what are the similar


characteristics of East Asian arts?

The arts of China, Japan, and


Korea are closely similar to one
another. They all have paintings
both on fabrics, paper, and faces.
They also have knot tying, paper
folding, paper cutting, and
calligraphy.

Its time to show what you have


learned. Continue to the next part
of the lesson.

291
PART IV: WHAT TO TRANSFER
ACTIVITY 17: Group Task

You will be grouped into three (3). Each group will create a collection
of artworks from Japan, China, or Korea that will be put into an exhibit.

Group 1: Japan Painting


Group 2: China Paper Cutting and Folding
Group 3: Korea Mask Painting

Your research should include a brief history, description, and sample


pictures.
Each group will prepare the display area based on the theme / concept
of the assigned task.
The individual artworks will also be displayed in the exhibit.
The layout should be visible from a distance and must have a visual
impact related to the country.

The exhibit should be documented (i.e., photos / videos) by the


members.

Criteria Very good Good Average Needs Score


(10 pts) (6 pts) (4 pts) Improvement
(2 pts)
Order Exhibit was Some parts Several Exhibit was
arranged of the exhibited not arranged
properly exhibit were artworks properly
out of place were out of
place
Cooperation All group Some group Most of the Only 1
members members group member
have did not members did exhibited
artworks in exhibit their not exhibit his/her
the exhibit artworks their artworks artwork
Resourceful All Most of the Some of the Only 1
ness members members members member
used used used used
recycled recycled recycled recycled
materials materials materials materials
Total Points

292
A sincere artist is not one
who makes a faithful attempt to put on to canvas what is in
front of him,
but one who tries to create something which is,
in itself, a living thing.

- William Dobell

SUMMARY
Nature has always been regarded as an element of utmost importance in
East Asian countries.
Japanese painting and printmaking depicts scenes from everyday life
that are often crowded with figures and detail. This tradition began in the
early medieval period under Chinese influence. However, it is more
popular in Japan.
Landscape painting is regarded as the highest form of painting in China.
Ancient Chinese paper folding emphasizes more in the making of hats
and boats unlike in Japan where flowers, animals, birds, fish, geometric
shapes, and dolls are the common models used in origami.
The silver or golden sycee were imitated through paper folding for a
traditional funeral, for burning in the Chinese ancestors grave, or as a
symbol of prosperity on New Years day.
There are six subjects / themes and three concepts (earth, heaven,
humankind) in the production of Chinese art.
Weifang, Sandong, China is the capital city of kites during the Song
Dynasty to Ming Dynasty. Since 1984, China is considered to have the
largest international kite festival on Earth.
The invention of paper in China led to the development of a more
economical medium of painting and was instrumental in the development
of an aircraft by the Wright brothers.
Knot tying in Korea is called Maedeup, in China zhongguo, and in Japan
it is hanamusubi.
Face painting for theatrical performances are used in Peking opera in
China and kabuki in Japan, while mask painting is used in Korea.
The makeup and perfume worn throughout performances were highly
significant to the stories that were being told in the kabuki play.

293
Glossary

Art refers to the visual arts which cover the creation of images or objects in
fields including painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, and other visual
media.

Art form an activity or a piece of artistic work that can be regarded as a


medium of artistic expression

Artwork refers to a work of art in the visual arts and a piece of conceptual
art

Calligraphy the art of beautiful handwriting with pen or brush with the use
of ink, paint, or watercolor on paper, silk or any similar material

Crane is a large bird with long legs and a long neck that lives near water
which is the most common model in Japanese origami

Chinese Character (or logograms) in calligraphy are used in the writing


of Chinese (may be called hanzi) and Japanese (kanji). Such characters are
also used, albeit less frequently, in Korean (hanja), and were formerly used
in Vietnamese (hn t)

Chinese Theme the artists subject of painting such as landscape, animals,


bamboos, etc.

Design an organized arrangement of one or more visual elements,


principles

Medium refers to the type of material used to create an artwork

Origami refers to the traditional Japanese art of paper folding

Palette any material that can be used as a container for mixing colors in
painting

Principles of Design are choice and arrangement of elements of art in an


artwork

Shamanism a practice that involves a practitioner reaching altered states of


consciousness in order to encounter and interact with the Spirit world

Sinister suggests threat or malevolence, menace, or harm

Smudge a path of spread ink or paint blurring what has been painted

294
Treacherous or traitor betrays or ready to betray somebody's trust,
confidence, or faith

Ukiyo-e a style of woodblock printmaking in Japan

Woodblock Printing the process that involves transferring and cutting


pictures into wood blocks, inking the surface of these blocks, and printing

Yin-Yang in Chinese philosophy, the concept of yin-yang, which is often


referred to in the West as "yin and yang", literally meaning "shadow and light",
is used to describe how polar opposites or seemingly contrary forces
are interconnected and interdependent in the natural world, and how they
give rise to each other in turn in relation to each other.

References

Sources: Task 3: Painting Analysis


http://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium/japanese-landscape-kirill-
danileiko.jpghttp://www.artmyway.net/images/dojoujib.gif
http://media.picfor.me/001173D73/Chinese-Girl-Painting-#4-beautiful--art--
Paintings--Chinese_large.jpg
http://www.chinatoday.com/people/china_56_nations/korean/korean_girl_pain
ting.jpg
http://www.antiquealive.com/upfile/14_1(42).jpg

Photo References
Flowers and birds painting:
http://www.lhchinesepaintings.com/Images/IMG_0119_B.jpg

Calligraphy
http://www.doverbooks.co.uk/images/0486410000/0486417395.jpg
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/ukiyo-e/images/ukiyo-home.jpg
http://www.neibert.com/images/ikebana-44-cy.jpg
http://p1.limg.com/492/22383/7781962_4_l.jpg
http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lc1tumIIy21qaa1lgo1_500.jpg
http://www.xabusiness.com/chinese-paintings-picture/chinese-brush-
paintings/br-0178b.jpg;
http://isearch.babylon.com/?q=lotus+flower+painting&s=images&as=0&babsr
c=HP_ss

295
http://www.xabusiness.com/chinese-paintings-picture/chinese-brush-
paintings/1/br-0543b.jpg
Shen Zhou, Ming dynasty

http://www.timeoffun.com/pics/Chinese-Painting/Chinese-Paintings-1.jpg
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/images/h2/h2_27.119.11.jpg

Web References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinesepainting
http://my.chinese.cn/attachment/200909/23/59_125367332028xP.jpg
http://japaneseprinting.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/kunisada17601.jpg
http://ranchoceramics.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/China-Landscape-
Painting2-752x1024.jpg
http://images.chinahighlights.com/travelguide1/culture/paper-cut/9chinese-
paper-cut.jpg
http://images.chinahighlights.com/travelguide1/culture/chinese-knot/9chinese-
knot.jpg
http://customtravelnetwork.com/images/china_fareast01.jpg
http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~inaasim/Foundations/koreanceladon2.jpg
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rE7f3NtLmFs/SjmBRx89wpI/AAAAAAAADmM/h190
5UGOmps/s320/ChineseBrushPaintingPoemMumsSmall.jpg-
http://www.firelily.com/photography/image/jade.lady.large.jpg
http://isearch.babylon.com/?q=leaf+album+painting&s=images&as=0&babsrc
=HP_ss
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_characters
http://arthistory.about.com/cs/glossarie
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/art+forms/g/m_medium.htm
http://isearch.babylon.com/?s=images&babsrc=HP_ss&q=painting+album++c
lip+art&start=0
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/ukiy/hd_ukiy.htm
http://mofa.cvatd.fsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/yoshida.pdf
http://lisasartmusings.blogspot.com/2012/06/japanese-woodblock-
printing.html (image)
http://www.thecraftyclassroom.com/CraftJapanWoodblockPrinting.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodblock_printing_in_Japan

296
http://www.my-funspace.com/origami-art/
http://anools-origami.tripod.com/album.htm
http://craftliciouss.blogspot.com/2010/03/paper-swan-3-dimensional-
origami.html(image)
http://www.origami-kids.com/video-airplanes/american-1.htm
http://www.origami-kids.com/animal-photo/butterfly-11/5433628030.htm
http://chezlarsson.com/myblog/2010/07/origami-butterfly-mobile.html
http://www.craftcentral.com/articles/2009/04/acts-a-paper-sculptor.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paper_crane

297
298
Did you enjoy your travel in East Asia
and gained lots of information and their
contributions to world arts?
This time lets visit India, Central Asia,
and West Asia and know more about
their work of arts compared to the arts of
East Asia, Southeast Asia, and the
Philippines.

INTRODUCTION
In this unit, you will learn:

how the visual arts were produced and how it can be classified into
specific periods, each reflecting particular religious, political, and cultural
developments

how it intertwines with the enriching history, religions, and philosophies


of the subcontinent

how a strong sense of design can be observed in their modern as well


as in their traditional forms

how they exhibit ornate, very intricate, and colorful motifs in their
artworks where unusually free expression may be seen

what are the five independent republics that comprises Central Asia

West Asia is a region that encompasses Western Asia and part of North
Africa

299
http://images.redstate.com/files/map9-middle-east-and-cent.gif

OBJECTIVES
At the end of this unit, you are expected to:

analyze art elements (color, line, shape, etc.) and principles (texture,
proportion, emphasis, harmony, etc.) in the production of arts and crafts

understand how art plays a significant role in the daily life and activities of
the people

describe the unique lines, forms, shapes, and colors found in their folk
arts

use the different motifs and designs as manifested in their folk arts

identify contributions made by the named countries in the field of arts like
architecture, painting, and folk arts

300
compare the development of crafts in specific areas of a country
according to traditional specialized expertise, functionality, and
availability of resources

appreciate the ethnic and unique characteristics of art form and style
through creating and viewing similar artworks

compare the artworks of the Philippines with the artworks of India,


Central Asia, and West Asia in terms of forms, motifs, shapes, and
designs

appreciate their art forms, motifs, and themes by using them in


appropriate programs, school activities, celebrations and in personal
hobbies

Examples of Visual Arts of India

301
After reading our objectives, lets
proceed with our activity to test how well
versed you are about the arts of India.

PRE-ASSESSMENT
ACTIVITY 1: Indian Crepe (Group Work)

Materials
dark-colored crepe paper or any colored paper
bleach (i.e., Clorox) cotton buds
plastic cups

Procedure
1. Draw your design on a piece of paper.
2. Spread out the crepe paper or the colored paper on a flat surface.
3. Pour a small amount of bleach in a plastic cup. Take care not to spill any
on your clothes or to get any on your skin.
4. Lightly dip the tip of a cotton bud in the bleach.
5. Create designs on the crepe paper by gently drawing lines with the cotton
buds. Be careful not to tear the thin crepe paper.
6. Decide on the pattern: repeated or alternative motifs, radial, or border
design.
Rubric

Indicators 5 4 3 2 1

1. Considered the suggestions of each


member to come up with a
presentable work

2. Followed instructions correctly

3. Shared and applied the skills and


talents in the activity

4. Manifested enjoyment while working


with other group members

302
Total Points Descriptive Equivalent Grade
16 20 Excellent 95%
11 15 Very Good 90%
6 10 Fair 85%
15 Needs Improvement 80%

Im sure you enjoyed your first


activity. You were able to show your
creativity and skills in creating designs
demonstrating the elements and
principles of art.

This time, you will apply other


elements of art aside from shapes and
designs.

ACTIVITY 2: Lines and Curves Map of Life

Materials
oslo paper
pen, pencil or colored pencils

Directions

1. Recall some of your remarkable childhood memories.

2. Using the following diagram, sketch or draw the places that have been a
part of your life and are of interest to the members of your family.
Examples: your house, church, malls, parks, and school

303
3. Write your answers to the following questions in your notebook:

Why are these places important to you and your family? How were
you able to reach these places?

What features made these places memorable to you and your


family?

How did these places affect you and other members of your family?

What type of lines can you see on your sketch?

Let us now proceed with our


first lesson on Indian art.

304
PART I: WHAT TO KNOW
Lesson 1: PERIODS OF INDIAN ART

Ancient Period

Some evidences of the early civilization are bronze and copper


statuettes and steatite seals which show vigor and concern for surface texture
as constantly characterized in Indian art.

The Ajanta Caves of Maharashtra, India are 30 rock-cut cave


monuments that date back from the 2nd century BCE to the 600 CE, including
paintings and sculptures considered to be masterpieces of Buddhist religious
art, as well as frescos that are reminiscent of the Sigiriya paintings in Sri
Lanka.

Ajanta Caves of Maharashtra

Classical Period
The image of Shiva (as illustrated in the picture), the destroyer,
develops into Shiva the Cosmic-dancer represented by a four-armed figure.
In this figure, one hand holds the fire with which he destroys, another holds a
drum, which is the first sound heard in the world during creation, then the
third arm points up in a reassuring gesture, and a fourth arm points down to
the dwarf in which he dances to.

305
Islamic Ascendancy or Transitional Period

This was the period of evolution from Vedism into Hinduism or


Brahmanism. The two great Indian epics: the Mahabharata and the
Ramayana emerged in this period.

Mogul Period

Moguls contributed to the enrichment of Indian culture in painting and


in architecture. The most splendid example is the Taj Majal built in 1632 by
Shah Jahan in memory of his wife.

Taj Mahal

306
Diwali is celebrated by Hindus in India and all around the world in
October or November. It is the Hindu New Year and is either a 3-day or 5-day
holiday depending on where you come from.

It is a very exciting and colorful holiday, where homes are cleaned to


welcome the New Year and windows are opened so that the Hindu goddess
of wealth, Lakshmi, can enter. Hindus believe that she cannot enter a house
which is not lit up, so every household burns special diwali clay lamps (diyas)
to light the way for the goddess. This is why the holiday is also known as the
Festival of Lights.

Diya Lamp sample

Today you are going to


learn about an Indian art that I
know you will enjoy. Keep on
reading.

Lesson 2: RANGOLI

Rangoli is one of the most beautiful and most pleasing art forms of
India. It comes from the words rang' meaning color and aavalli' meaning
colored creepers or row of colors. Rangoli is the art of making designs or
patterns on the walls or the floor of the house using finely ground white
powder along with different colors. Numerous households in the Indian
subcontinent make use of rangoli designs for decorating the courtyard of their
houses.

The traditional form of rangoli made use of designs and motifs based
on nature, such as mangoes, creepers, flowers, swans, peacocks, etc. Even
the colors in the traditional art form were extracted from natural dyes, like
barks of trees, leaves, indigo plant, etc. These days, synthetic dyes have
more or less replaced the natural dyes of the earlier times.

307
Samples of Rangoli Designs

The materials used in the rangoli patterns of today give either a very
flat appearance or a 3-D effect. Rangoli designs include geometric patterns,
the swastika, lotus, trident, fish, conch, creepers, leaves, trees, flowers,
animals, etc.

308
Lesson 3: PAKISTAN

Pakistani architecture is divided into four recognized periods:

Pre-Islamic
Islamic
Colonial
Post-Colonial

Mohenjo Daro

Around the middle of the 3rd millennium BCE, an advanced urban


culture developed for the first time in the region. Large buildings were built
some of which still survive to this day like Mohenjo Daro, Harappa, and Kot
Diji which are among the pre-Islamic settlements that are now tourist
attractions.

309
Kot Diji

Across Pakistan, brightly colored flamboyant trucks painted with


images of idealized landscapes, famous personalities, flowers, and trees
turned village lanes, city streets, and long-distance highways into a gallery
without walls; a free-form, kaleidoscopic exhibition in motion. Other arts of
Pakistan include painted chests and jars.

Truck Art of Pakistan

Did you appreciate the


truck art of Pakistan? Let us tour
the other parts of Central Asia.
Lets now visit the neighboring
countries of Uzbekistan,
Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan. Just
keep on reading.

310
Lesson 4: UZBEKISTAN, KASAKHSTAN, AND TAJIKISTAN

People who inhabited the region of present Uzbekistan are known for
making printed cloth. Printed tablecloths, curtains, bedspreads, shawls, and
various coverlets were utilitarian and served as a daily-round ornament as
well.

Uzbekistan ceramics hold a prominent place among the numerous


forms of popular applied art. Applied arts in ancient Kazakhstan were part of
lifes daily routine.

Clothing, utility tools, yurts, and horses saddles were always


decorated using nomadic patterns and design.

Kazakhstans visual arts are relatively young. In ancient times, nomads


used to draw on rocks. Today, these petroglyphs can be found throughout
Kazakhstan.

Fine art in Kazakhstan varies in style, direction, and genre. The most
captivating work by Kazakhstan artists in different periods can be seen in
museums across the country.

Tajiks have been making fabrics, utensils, musical instruments,


carpets, furniture, jewelry, and many other things for many centuries.
The art of decorative carving is very important for local residents. Carving is
mostly present in architectural monuments, household structures and objects,
musical instruments, and souvenirs.

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When Islam came, Tajiks carving gradually changed to Arabian
inscriptions using images of people and animals while some carvers prefer
vegetative, geometrical patterns. In architecture, ornaments in the form of
lotus, tulips, and other flowers are more common.

312
Lets now visit the
countries of Turkmenistan and
Kyrgystan.

Lesson 5: TURKMENISTAN AND KYRGYSTAN

The traditional arts include felt manufacture, jewelry making,


woodwork, ceramics, and silverwork.

The most unique and beautiful carpets in the world are produced by
Turkmenistan. These vary in shape and purpose. Carpet weaving is an
ancient art, and each tribe developed its own distinctive pattern.

Turkmen carpets have been traditionally woven out of wool, cotton,


and silk by women, using horizontal looms. The method of weaving has been
modernized, but the beauty and quality of the fabrics remain.

Turkmenistan is also the source of keteni, a homespun silk that is used


for the beautiful dresses worn by Turkmen women on special occasions. The
embroidery uses different patterns that are as unique as a family seal.

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Keteni cloth is an object of one of the wonderful traditions of the Turkmen people

Kyrgyz women produce a wide range of textiles, mostly from the felt of
their sheep. Nowadays ancient patterns are adapted to the tourist and export
market, but it is still a living tradition and that all yurts and most houses
contain hand-made carpets or rugs called shirdaks.

Large elaborately embroidered wall hangings called Tush kyiz are


traditionally made in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, by elder women to
commemorate the marriage of a son or daughter.

Colors and designs are chosen to symbolize Kyrgyz traditions and


rural life. Flowers, plants, animals, stylized horns, national designs, and
emblems of Kyrgyz life are often found in these ornate and colorful
embroideries.

Flat cushions illustrated above called xxx are usually made in shadow-
pairs. These are seen on every chair, padding the seat.

314
After visiting Central
Asia, we will now fly to
West Asia.

Lesson 6: ARTS AND CRAFTS OF WEST ASIA

West Asia is rich in cultural heritage. This is clearly evident in the


variety and quality of regional arts and crafts.

Typical artistic forms from the region include:


embroidery calligraphy
ceramics inlaid wood designs
wood carving blown glassworks
hammered metalwork

A metalwork craftsman

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Although these are some of the most acclaimed art forms contributed
by West Asia, their aesthetics can be seen in almost any product from the
region even including such things as handmade soap from Syria or Lebanon.

A Lebanese sculpting soap blocks

PART II: WHAT TO PROCESS

ACTIVITY 1: Rangoli Art


After learning about Rangoli, you will now experience how to make
one.

Materials
glue pencil
plain paper plate colored sand (different colors)

Procedure

1. Sketch your design lightly in pencil or chalk in illustration board.

2. When you are happy with your design, finalize the outline with heavier
lines.

3. Use glue to outline your design.

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4. Roll the paper plate into a cone and snip a small hole in the narrow end.

5. Fill the larger opening with colored sand. Use your finger as a stopper on
the small hole you made. This is how you will control the flow of the sand.

6. Fill in your design with sand according to your choice and color
combination. This is the most interesting step, and usually the most fun.
Apply different design patterns:
- repeated - radial pattern
- alternating - border pattern

7. Display your work in class.

SELF-ASSESSMENT
Answer these questions in your notebook:
1. Is my work worth emulating? How was I able to come up with this project?

2. Were the colors and designs applied properly?

2. What part of the project did you enjoy doing the most?

317
ACTIVITY 2: Diwali Mobile

Lets imagine that we are from India and are about to take part in the
Diwali celebration. The place of celebration is fully lighted with diya.
Everyone is asked to hold a diya to make the place look festive and brighter.
Here is how to make the diya mobile.

Materials
yellow textured paper or pages of magazine
textured paper in a bright color string
gold cord scissors
gold glitter glue puncher

Procedure

1. Cut out a flame shape from yellow paper and a diya shape from the other
paper.

2. Make a hole at the bottom of the flame and another in the middle of the
diya.

3. Tie them together with the gold cord.

4. Make a hole at the top of the flame and tie some gold cord for hanging.

5. With glitter glue or a gold pen, write Happy on the flame and Diwali on
the diya.

318
SELF-ASSESSMENT

Was I able to
employ different art
elements and
How did I use principles in making
recycled this project?
materials in this
project?

Did I enjoy
working on
Was I able to this project?
follow
directions
correctly?

What Philippine Is my mobile


designs look moving? If not,
similar to the what can I do
designs of India? to make it
move?

In this lesson, you will further understand how lines, colors, shapes,
balance, and repetition can give more meaning and significance to the art of
Central Asia. This will help you:

Understand the processes in art


Determine its impact to you as an individual
Learn the importance of appreciating a work of art
Understand its relationship to other countries around you.

319
I want you to view a video about
the Truck Art of Pakistan. Enjoy!

ACTIVITY 3: Video Presentation Truck Art

Watch a video presentation on Truck Art uploaded by journeyman


pictures. Answer the questions that follow after viewing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EhNAib0b6Q

QUESTIONS

1. Describe the unique lines, color, forms, and shapes found in Pakistans
truck art.
2. Give your impressions on how Pakistanis use the elements of arts in their
artwork.
3. Compare our Pinoy jeep with their truck art in terms of the color, design,
forms, and shapes.

I want you to show your skill in


designing and showcasing the art
of Tajikistan. Are you ready?

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ACTIVITY 4: Candle Sculpture

Materials
old newspaper pencil
candle 2 in diameter nail pusher
sketch of your chosen design
black permanent marker

Procedure

1. Spread out the old newspaper to protect your work area.


2. Sketch your chosen design on the candle using a pencil. Use geometric
shapes and patterns like scrollwork and curved lines.
3. With the nail pusher, carve the design on the candle. Use the subtractive
technique to cut away the unwanted part.
4. Highlight the design with the use of a black permanent marker.

Your artwork will be evaluated using these criteria:


Rubric

Category Excellent Good Fair Poor Score


(5 pts) (4 pts) (3 pts) (2 pts)
Following Followed the Followed Followed Did not follow
Directions directions most of the some of the the directions
correctly directions directions
Creativity and Students Students Students Students
Workmanship output is very output is output is fair output is dull
creative and good and tidy and has few with lots of
tidy errors errors

321
Category Excellent Good Fair Poor Score
(5 pts) (4 pts) (3 pts) (2 pts)
Pattern Pattern of Pattern of Pattern of There is no
South, South, South, visible pattern
Central, and Central, and Central, and of South,
West Asian West Asian West Asian Central, and
culture is well- culture is culture is West Asian
defined and visible but not somewhat culture
used from clearly visible but
beginning to defined not
end continuous
Total Points

Total Points Descriptive Grade Equivalent


11 15 Excellent 95%
8 10 Good 85%
6 Needs Improvement 75%

ACTIVITY 5: Clay Pot Designing

Materials

old newspaper l small clay pot


black and white acrylic paint pencil
brushes of different sizes

Procedure

1. Prepare your work place by spreading old newspaper as your placemat.

2. Choose either the white or black paint as your base. Apply the paint and
let it dry.

3. Plan the design you want to be painted on your pot. Keep in mind the
elements and principles of design in Indian art.

4. Using your pencil, sketch your design on the pot.

5. Use your paint and brush to create your design. Let it dry.

6. Display your work for assessment. Your artwork will be evaluated using
the criteria on the next page.

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Rubric

Category Excellent Good Fair Poor (2 pts) Score


(5 pts) (4 pts) (3 pts)
Following Followed Followed Followed Did not follow
Directions the most of the some of the directions
directions directions directions
correctly
Creativity and Students Students Students Students
Workmanship output is output is output is fair output is dull
very good and and has few with lots of
creative and tidy errors errors
tidy
Pattern Pattern of Pattern of Pattern of There is no
South, South, South, visible pattern
Central, and Central, and Central, and of South,
West Asian West Asian West Asian Central, and
culture is culture is culture is West Asian
well-defined visible but somewhat culture
and used not clearly visible but not
from defined continuous
beginning to
end
Total Points

Total Points Descriptive Grade Equivalent


11 15 Excellent 95%
8 10 Good 85%
6 Needs Improvement 75%

ACTIVITY 6: Border Design It

Materials
black cartolina
pair of scissors
stapler
long bond paper
glue
emulsion
paintbrush

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Procedure
1. Cut out two 5 by 7 rectangles of black cartolina. Set aside one rectangle.
2. On one of the cartolina rectangles, draw an inside rectangle, measuring
0.5 inches from the outside edges. Cut out and discard. You will now have
a frame.
3. Place the frame on top of the other rectangle. Staple three of the outer
edges together so that a 4" by 6" photo can fit inside.
4. Cut the bond paper into eight lengthwise strips.
5. From the sample design above, create your design by cutting the strips of
bond paper.
6. Paste the strips of paper on the frame-shaped cartolina as a border. Trim
as needed.
7. Apply emulsion with a brush and let it dry.
8. Put in your photo after finishing your work.
9. Display your work for critiquing.

Sample of Border Lines

Did you know?


that the suffix stan means land of?
that the countries in Central Asia have the same flora and fauna?
that they have the same religion, beliefs, and customs?

After reading the above lesson, I


want you to experience an art work
that will bring out the creativity in you.
Are you ready?

324
ACTIVITY 7: Soap Sculpture

Materials

soap preferably Ivory or Perla


nail pusher
pencil
old newspaper
black pentel pen

Procedure

1. Prepare your working area by spreading


out an old newspaper to gather soap
scrapings.

2. Decide on what design you would like to


carve on your soap.

3. Use the nail pusher to scrape out part of


the soap you want to remove.

4. Highlight your design with the black pentel pen.

5. Clean up after work.

QUESTIONS

1. Which part of the procedure did you find difficult to do?

2. How did you achieve the design of your work?

3. What technique was applied best for scraping the design in the soap?

4. How can you make all the parts evenly designed?

5. How did you feel while doing the activity?

325
PART III: WHAT TO REFLECT AND UNDERSTAND
ACTIVITY 1: Guess My Country

Identify the country I came from in Central Asia. Describe the designs,
forms, colors, and style to signify the country where we came from.

ASSESSMENT
Make caricatures of faces using dots and lines to express how much
you understand the lessons and how can you relate the culture of other
countries to our own country.

326
Explain your drawing.

Keep in Mind

Art plays a significant role in the daily life and


activities of the people of India, Central Asia, and
West Asia.
Unique lines, forms, shapes, colors, motifs,
and designs are manifested in the art of India,
Central Asia, and West Asia.
Resourcefulness and clarity are keys to
successful art activities. The art of India, Central
Asia, and West Asia reflects the dominant attitudes
toward important aspects of life of the period which
produced them as a mirror of cultural history.
We can better understand and appreciate a work of beauty and vitality
by understanding its place in historical continuity.

ASSESSMENT
A. INDIA

Identify what is being described in each number. Choose the answer from
the box.
Diwali Rangoli Shiva Lakshmi
Diyas

1. The art of making designs or patterns on the walls or floors of houses


2. Hindu goddess of wealth
3. A four-armed dancing Hindu goddess
4. Indias Festival of Lights
5. Clay lamp to light the way of the goddess

327
B. CENTRAL ASIA AND WEST ASIA

Choose the best answer. Write the letters only. Do this in your
notebook.

______1. Country known for making printed tablecloths, curtains, bed


spreads, and shawls
a. Uzbekistan c. Tajikistan
b. Kazakhstan d. Pakistan

______2. Country in Central Asia known for utensil making, musical


instruments, furniture, and jewelry
a. Pakistan c. Uzbekistan
b. Tajikistan d. Kazakhstan

______3. A homespun silk used for beautiful dresses worn by Turkmen


women
a. shirdaks c. keteni
b. tush kyiz d. Diyas

______4. It is a large elaborately embroidered wall hanging made in


Kyrgystan and Kazakhstan
a. keteni c. shirdaks
b. frescoes d. tush kyiz

______5. Images created by removing part of the rock surface by incising,


picking and carving
a. petroglyphs c. calligraphy
b. hieroglyphs d. ochre

328
PART IV: WHAT TO PERFORM
ACTIVITY 1

1. Create an art exhibit focusing on the arts of Central and West Asia using
your own artworks.
2. You need to prepare the exhibit area for your audience.
3. Answer questions from your audience regarding your artworks.
4. The exhibit should be documented.

Rubric
Criteria Very Good Good Average Needs Score
(10 Pts) (6 Pts) (4 Pts) Improvement
(2 Pts)
Order Exhibit was Some parts Several Exhibit was
arranged of the parts of the not
properly exhibit were exhibit were arranged
out of place out of place properly
Cooper All group Most of the Some group Only one
ation members group members member of
exhibited members exhibited the group
their exhibited their exhibited
artworks their artworks his/her
artworks artworks
Resource All group Most of the Some of the Only one
fulness members group group member of
used members members the group
recycled used used used
materials recycled recycled recycled
materials materials materials
Total Points

329
Glossary

Aesthetic pertaining to, involving, or concerned with pure emotion and


sensation as opposed to pure intellectuality

Carving act of fashioning or producing by cutting into or shaping solid


materials such as wood

Conch is a common name that is applied to a number of different medium


to large-sized sea snails or their shells. The term generally applies to large
sea snails that have a high spire and a siphon canal

Deity is a being, natural, supernatural, or preternatural, with superhuman


powers or qualities and who may be thought of as holy, divine, or sacred

Distinctive having a special quality, style, attractiveness, etc; notable

Diwali a festival celebrated by Hindus in India and all around the world in
October or November. It is the Hindu New Year and is either a 3-day or 5-day
holiday depending on where you come from.

Diyas special diwali clay lamps

Ecology the branch of sociology concerned with the spacing and


interdependence of people and institutions

Emulating to strive to equal or excel especially through imitation

Emulous eager or ambitious to equal or surpass another

Encompass to enclose; envelop; to constitute or include

Flamboyant marked by or given to strikingly elaborate or colorful display or


behaviour

Frescos a technique of mural painting executed upon laid lime. Water is


used as the vehicle for the pigment and, with the setting of the plaster; the
painting becomes an integral part of the wall.

Inscriptions something inscribed; a historical, religious, or other record cut,


impressed, painted, or written on stone, brick, metal, or other hard surface

Kaleidoscope a cylinder with mirrors containing loose, colored objects such


as beads or pebbles and bits of glass. As the viewer looks into one

330
end, light entering the other creates a colorful pattern due to the reflection off
of the mirrors.

Keteni a homespun silk that is used for the beautiful dresses worn by
Turkmen women on special occasions

Lakshmi the Hindu goddess of wealth

Loom a hand-operated or power-driven apparatus for weaving fabrics


containing harnesses, lay, reed, shuttles, treadles, etc.

Nomads a group of people that moves from one place to another

Ochre the term for both a golden-yellow or light yellow-brown color and a
form of earth pigment which produces the color

Ornament an accessory, article, or detail used to beautify the appearance


of something to which it is a part

Ornate elaborately or sumptuously adorned, often excessively or showily so

Petroglyph (also called rock engravings) are pictogram and logogram


images created by removing part of a rock surface by incising, picking,
carving, and abrading

Pictogram a picture or symbol for a word or group of words

Rangoli the Indian art of making designs or patterns on the walls or the
floor of the house using finely ground white powder along with different colors

Repeated a duplicate or reproduction of something; decorative pattern


repeated, usually by printing, on a textile or the like

Shawl a simple item of clothing, loosely worn over the shoulders, upper
body, and arms, and sometimes also over the head. It is usually
a rectangular or square piece of cloth which is often folded to make a triangle.
Sometimes it can also be triangular in shape. Other shapes
include oblong shawls.

Shirdaks hand-made carpets or rugs; flat cushions made in shadow-pairs,


made by Kyrgyz women

Shiva a major Hindu deity, and is the Destroyer or Transformer among the
Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine, represented by
a four-armed figure

331
Siphon canal an anatomical feature of the shells of certain groups of sea
snails

Swastika an equilateral cross with four arms bent at 90 degrees. The


word swastika came from the Sanskrit word svastika, meaning any lucky or
auspicious object, and in particular a mark made on persons and things to
denote auspiciousness

Tajiks an ethnic group originating from Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan,


Iran, Russia, and China

Trident a three-pronged spear; the traditional weapon of


the Hindu god Shiva used as a geometric design for Rangoli

Utilitarian having regard for utility or usefulness rather than beauty,


ornamentation, etc.

Vegetative noting the parts of a plant not specialized for reproduction

Voluptuous focused attention on the female body as a source


of aesthetic pleasure, sexual attraction, fertility, and reproduction, considered
an ideal or preferred body shape, both for attractiveness and for health
reasons

Yurt a portable, bent, wood-framed dwelling structure traditionally used


by nomads in the steppes of Central Asia

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