CULTURE CONNECT
100 YEARS OF POLISH
INDEPENDENCE THROUGH MUSIC
T
here is something magical about music! It invigorates
the mind. It ineff ably enraptures the heart. It connects
the humankind, irrespective of caste, creed, nationality
etc. More so, if its folk music! The latter is the very heart
and soul of a country. One invariably experiences a country’s
uniqueness through its distinct folk tunes and songs, and
through them one is able to unite with peoples of other
races and ethnicities, despite cross-cultural diversities. No
wonder then, why folk fetes and musical exchanges have
been considered, by artists and commoners alike, as the best
platforms for promoting harmony and peace and music, in
general, is called a universal language.
Poland, a country known for its natural beauty and strong-
willed people, has a rich cultural heritage, of which folk music
is a vital aspect. Polish music is not just about charismatic
stalwarts like Frédéric Chopin, Karol Szymanowski or
Krzysztof Penderecki, but also about native melodies, ethnic
songs and regional dances. Polish folk groups are known for
their diversity and versatility.
Trebunie Tutki is one of Poland’s most famous folk
groups. It is a family of musicians originating from Bialy
Dunajec, a region near the Zakopane – famously known as
‘the winter capital of Poland’. The group is popular, across
United States, Europe and other parts of the globe, for its
signature highlanders’ music.
On 13th November 2018, Trebunie Tutki group performed
in New Delhi at the LTG auditorium. The folk band had
Krzysztof Trebunia Tutka on violin and vocals, Jan Trebunia
on violin and vocals, Anna Trebunia-Wyrostek on cello and
vocals, Anna Trebunia on violin and vocals, as well as Robert
Czech on double bass.
The music concert was organised by the Polish Institute
New Delhi to mark the 100th anniversary of the regaining of
Independence of the Republic of Poland on 11th November
2018. As part of the very special centenary National Day
celebrations, Poland has been showcasing in India and
world over, some of the fi nest elements of its culture and soft
diplomacy – music, visual arts, cinema, theatre, literature
to name a few. Since, India is a land of colossally diverse
musical traditions, presenting Polish folk music to establish
friendly heart-to-heart connections with the Indian people,
was a natural choice for the Polish Institute.
At the concert, the intriguing aspects of Polish folk
communities was displayed through the poetical narratives,
vocal and dance performances, of Trebunie Tutki, all of which
made use of original instruments and elements for example,
the shepherds’ fl utes and pipes, złóbcoki (narrow old-fi ddle),
koza (a local bagpipe), trombita (the long wooden trumpet),
sheep bells, and traditional wyskanie – glissando of woman’s
voice, shepherds’ calls and whistling.
Wrapped in the warmth of Polish music, the auditorium
reverberated with the applauds of spectators, who had only
one thing to off er the Trebunie Tutki group – a standing
ovation!
62 • Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist • Vol 6 • Issue 10 • Oct-Nov 2018, Noida