Nieuwe Blik Terug: Surinamese composers

What to expect

Orville Breeveld's Nieuwe Blik Terug series spotlights composers and musicians who are not well known.

Breeveld says the series tells stories about important composers who fought for freedom and wrote music.

This edition focuses on Surinamese composers, with special attention to Baithak Gana, a music genre that flourished in Suriname's Hindustani community.

Between 1873 and 1916, thousands of contract labourers from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh brought their songs, rhythms and language.

In that migration history, Baithak Gana gained meaning for this group as comfort and collective memory.

• Breeveld is musician, presenter and documentary maker.
• Little is documented about music on board.
• Likely sang together on the long sea voyage.
• Accompanied by dholak, harmonium or improvised percussion.
• Repertoire included Bhojpuri folk songs and bhajans.
• Songs covered homesickness, hope and new beginnings.