Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Narender Negi and the Protest Song

I'm an American Ph.D in ethnomusicology who focuses on Uttarakhandi geet. I spent a couple of years living between Dehradun, Pauri-Srinagar, and Delhi, with lots of trips to Jaunsar, Rawain, Chamoli, Almora, etc. I was researching the growth of popular music and its effects on social life, government, and the domain referred to as 'lokgeet.'
I learned a lot, but I hope to do so much more. Right now, I'm working on an article examining the whole Nauchami Narayana controversy. I have translated Nauchami Narayana with a Garhwali friend of mine in Srinagar, but unfortunately, I am back in the states now and my Garhwali is not up to par to translate the other songs myself - would anyone out there be able to assist me?
Specifically, I want a translation of 'Negida yeh geet na lagaa' from the album Surma Sarela, and a Congress parody of Negi's song called 'Vikasi Narayana.' I have the Garhwali texts to both, if anyone can help out.
Thanks,

Stefan