By Honorary Reporter Virbhadra S. Chhaunkar from India
Photos = Virbhadra S. Chhaunkar

I learned samulnori (traditional percussion quartet) from July 3-14 under traditional music master Park Eun-ha at a workshop hosted by the Korean Cultural Centre (KCC) in New Delhi, India, in collaboration with the National Gugak (Traditional Music) Center of Korea.

An accomplished traditional dancer and percussionist, Park teaches at a university and was a founding member of the center's samulnori team. She said her mother was also a performer of percussion music who introduced the janggu (traditional drum) to her at age 5.

In class, Park first explained the meaning of samulnori, which comprises three words: sa meaning four, mul meaning object and nori meaning playing. The music's four instruments expressing one's feelings or life are the janggu, kkwaenggwari (small metal gong), buk (barrel drum) and jing (large metal gong), with the second being the main one.

She said samulnori was traditionally played at harvest time when people prayed for good crops. She also taught Jajin garak (tune); Gilgunak, or samulnori from the Yeongnam region, referring to the present-day areas of the provinces Gyeongsangnam-do and Gyeongsangbuk-do and the cities of Busan, Daegu and Ulsan; and gilnori, a traditional parade featuring a mask dance drama.

Upon completion, we received certificates for finishing the course. I feel that this workshop was instructive and motivated me to delve more into Korean culture.

msjeon22@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things.