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Vedic metal; Issues of local practice, popular music and education
Citation
Paper presented at the 3rd Redesigning Pedagogy International Conference, Singapore, 1 - 3 June 2009
Abstract
In early 2007, an Extreme metal quartet Rudra made a tour of three US cities (Pennsylvania, Minnesota and New York) with partial sponsorship from the local composers and performers association (COMPASS). This tour followed another performance in November 2006 at the Outdoor theatre of the Esplanade. This was preceded by their participation at the Rock On Singapore! Festival organised by the National Arts Council in 2005. Their presence at local and international performances disguises multiple identities; contemporary, Singaporean, South Indian, youth, popular music (including Extreme Metal music), among others (Dairianathan 2007; 2008). Moreover, Rudra's absence in written accounts is as revealing as their seventeen year existence. Rudra's continued presence raises a crucial question: if music of popular culture is, following Kellner (1995) and Denzin (1992), a lived curriculum - one that has suffused young people's lives - can Rudra's presence in prominent social and cultural space be extended to educational space? By focusing on Rudra and activities surrounding them, this paper will draw attention to Vedic Metal and its relationship/s with local practice, popular music and the implications for education.
Date Issued
June 2009