Choral Voices: Ethnographic Imaginations of Sound and Sacrality

Choral Voices: Ethnographic Imaginations of Sound and Sacrality explores the social and cultural aspects of sacred and secular choirs in Goa and Shillong, India, highlighting the influence of tradition, nostalgia, and innovation on voice and genre. It also explores the relationship between Christianity, indigeneity, and the musical traditions of the region.

Format: Hardback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 09 February 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Choral Voices: Ethnographic Imaginations of Sound and Sacrality delves into the captivating world of sacred and secular choirs in Goa and Shillong,spanning a diverse range of settings such as churches,seminaries,schools,auditoriums,classrooms,reality TV shows,and festivals. Within this rich tapestry,voice and genre emerge as dynamic social objects, intricately annotated by traditions, nostalgia, and innovative expressions. Piety, both literal and metaphorical, plays a pivotal role in shaping the Christian lifeworld, particularly for those belonging to the Presbyterian and Catholic denominations. At the same time, indigeneity weaves its intricate patterns into the fabric of Christian musical traditions, shaping their political and cultural motifs. Situated at the crossroads of Sociology, Anthropology, and Ethnomusicology, choral voices occupy a unique space, emphasizing the interplay between 'affect and the visual-aural dispatch. This ethnographic exploration unveils the sonic spectrum as a realm that accommodates indigenous and global musicality, offering valuable insights to scholars engaged in the study of music and sound studies, religious studies, cultural anthropology, and the sociology of India.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501379833