Nieuwe Blik Terug: Surinaamse componisten

New Look Back

Musician, presenter, and documentary filmmaker Orville Breeveld has once again curated a series for the Kleine Zaal in which he shines a spotlight on composers and musicians who have unjustly remained underexposed. Nieuwe Blik Terug (New Look Back) tells a story about the power of music. Breeveld: 'Nieuwe Blik Terug tells stories about greats we do not know well, important composers, people who fought for freedom and wrote the most beautiful music. The history of these fellow human beings is close to my heart. These composers are historical figures who deserve all the attention, greats of music history; we should be proud of them. I want to tell their stories so that they remain on our radar.'

Surinamese composers

In this edition of Nieuwe Blik Terug, Surinamese composers take center stage, with special attention to Baithak Gana, the musical genre that flourished within the Hindustani community in Suriname. Between 1873 and 1916, thousands of indentured laborers from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh brought their songs, rhythms, and language with them, and it was precisely within this migration history that Baithak Gana acquired its significance for this group, serving as a source of comfort and collective memory. Although little has been documented regarding music on board, it is plausible that people gathered during the long sea voyage to sing, accompanied by the dholak, harmonium, or improvised percussion, with a repertoire ranging from Bhojpuri folk songs and bhajans to songs about homesickness, hope, and new beginnings.