Korean new wave washes over city

Elaborate costumes, dramatic moves and unique rhythms…the audience at the November Fest were spellbound by Korean percussionists Noreum Machi

November 18, 2014 06:15 pm | Updated September 25, 2019 06:36 pm IST

Noreum Machi performing at November Fest. Photo: K. V. Srinivasan

Noreum Machi performing at November Fest. Photo: K. V. Srinivasan

They made a grand entrance in a ceremonial procession, complete with elaborate costume and headgear. To the beat of drums and wind instruments. That set the mood for an evening of Korean song and rhythm.

Noreum Machi, the only group from across borders to perform at The Hindu Friday Review November Fest 2014, put up a short and sweet show at The Music Academy that was a spectacle all the way.

The new wave percussion group, considered one of the most prominent propagators of traditional Korean music, draws its distinctive style from minstrel singing, and has a contemporary edge to make communication with a new audience easier.

What we heard and saw that evening was a combination of dominant percussion sounds, Shaman singing and almost acrobatic movements — a superb show of skill and talent. The group, formed in 1993, comprised Kim Ju Hong, Lee Ho Won, Kim Jong Myung, Oh Hyun Ju and Park Mi Eun. And the instruments they used were the janggo, an hourglass-shaped drum often referred to as Korea’s national instrument; the buk, a double-headed barrel drum; the kkwaenggwari, a small gong and the jing, a large gong.

The rhythm and melody are said to be based on the principles of Yin and Yang, and on the five elements coming together.

Noreum Machi is known to perform music known as samulnori, a modernised adaptation of p’ungmul nori, a ritualistic celebratory event which has its origins in shamanism as performed by farmers at harvest festivals.

So, there was plenty of drama in the pieces performed by Noreum Machi, which were both visually arresting and aurally soothing. The artistes twirled like dervishes to a fast tempo, and the ribbons attached to their headgear created interesting patterns in the air as they moved their heads to the drumbeats. At no point did the performers miss a beat or a step.

There was precision, there was energy, and there was synchrony. Noreum Machi kept the audience spellbound with its special brand of music. And how!

Food talk

At the end of the show, the audience was treated to Bibimbap, a signature Korean dish that’s made of rice, meat and assorted vegetables. One can make endless variations of this dish depending on tastes and dietary requirements. Traditional and authentic versions of Bibimbap are served with raw beef and raw egg yolk along with vegetables.

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