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July 28, 2006
The Uyghur Ray Charles
Maybe Stevie Wonder? OK, perhaps I'm stretching things a bit. There are few similarities between Ray Charles/Stevie Wonder and Muratjan Muhtar Orunligan aka Murat Muhtar, save the fact that all three are blind. Nevertheless, I'm posting two of Murat's videos below.
The first video, which I'll call "Innocent Lakeside Frolicking" for lack of Uyghur language skills, is a typical boy-chases-girl affair. I'm all for this kind of video - which features some great Uyghur dance moves - but it seems strange that Murat himself isn't featured at all. The video is the first track on Murat's new VCD, so I'm guessing it's the "big single" and producers didn't want to have a blind man's vacant stare ruining the lovey-dovey atmosphere. (His vocals are lip-synched.) In any case, it's a great tune... you'll just have to wait through the first minute or so for the Atash label's VCD intro to finish. Don't skip it, however, as the music is super-funky! (You can also watch and download this video at Google Video, where the quality is generally better.)
The second video from Murat Muhtar is of a genre I'm particular fond of: the Uyghur afternoon dance party in the countryside. In this type of video, I imagine the artists invites his friends, family, and neighbors out to a nice shaded spot amongst fruit trees, where dancing and music ensue. The whole event is videotaped and later edited for use on a VCD. You actually get to see Murat's face in this one. Be sure to check out his red shirt... it's the height of modern Uyghur fashion! (This video can also be viewed at Google Video.)
I hope you've enjoyed the videos! Leave me a comment, will ya? It lets me know you care.
P.S. I'd like to give a big shout-out to ESWN, probably the most informative and amusing China blog out there. ESWN is always kind enough to post a link to this blog whenever I put up a new Uyghur music video. Thanks, Roland!
posted July 28, 2006 at 03:55 PM unofficial Xinjiang time | HaoHao This!
Comments
Enjoyed both videos. Does not remind us of the China we visited. Happy to view whatever you send.
Posted by: Frieda/Julie at July 29, 2006 08:19 AM
Hullo
I just visited your blog, and look forward to going through the archive.
I'l like to invite you to visit my blog, at: cuckooscall.blogspot.com
Thanks and best wishes
rama / Calcutta / INDIA
Posted by: rama at July 29, 2006 02:43 PM
Thanks! I lived in Beijing for several years. Uyghur food and a trip to Xinjiang were an amazing and unexpected highlight of my time in China. It's great to be able to see the videos from back in the US. By the way, do you know where I can find Xinjiang recipes (laghman for starters) in English?
Posted by: Ed at July 30, 2006 11:19 PM
Beautiful song, I downloaded it from Google into my iPod and have been listening to it all day.
I learnt Chinese(mandarin, beginner) few years ago and I'now back to it again, I'm particularly interested in Uygher people and culture so thank you so much for the this video.
Regards,
Posted by: Abdurahman at August 19, 2006 08:53 PM
Very nice of you to put these video clip. Im a Turk from Turkey and was searching for my turkish fellows in east Turkistan and I dropped into this website. Thank you very much.
PS: This turkish is 50% understandable from Turkeys turkish. Very old language very old terms used when speaking. This is the first turkish language. Our mother language, before getting mixed with arabic and iranian.
Posted by: Turkistan at September 14, 2006 07:05 AM
I'm enchanted.
Posted by: Jessica at October 15, 2006 12:09 PM