Associate Professor of Asian Studies, University of Hawaii-Manoa
CFP for a special issue of the journal Religions on Music, Sound, and the Sacred, edited by me! https://www.mdpi.com/journal/religions/special_issues/music Dear Colleagues, This Issue of Religions addresses music and sound as integral parts of religious and spiritual expression. Inviting approaches inspired by the robust work on music, sound, and religious practice in ethnomusicology, anthropology, sound studies, and… Continue reading CFP: Music, Sound, and the Sacred
The Record asked for an article on Teej and Komal Oli, and I was happy to oblige. The article, Nachna Jaana Paam, can be found in its entirety on The Record's website, with more photos and video links. The gist: "Song words are important, and so is the dancing that the songs inspire. It can… Continue reading Nachna Jaana Paam: Thoughts on Komal Oli’s Teej Songs and Dancing
I'm thrilled that my book on dohori song, Singing Across Divides: Music and Intimate Politics in Nepal, has won the Bernard S. Cohn Prize for first books on South Asia, from the Association for Asian Studies. In this conversation with the AAS's #AsiaNow blog, I talk about interesting aspects of dohori, obstacles as learning experiences… Continue reading Bernard S. Cohn Book Prize
Translation of a report by Sewa Bhattarai from June 1, 2017, on BBC Nepali. Although Nepali communists today refer to the 1950 overthrow of the Rana regime and establishment of democracy as "change" rather than "revolution," members of the Nepali Congress refer to this change as revolution. At this juncture, as well as in the… Continue reading “Revolutionary Songs” of the Anti-Rana Movement
Thanks to all who came to my talk today on "Music in Bhutan: Himalayan Connections." The link below contains my presentation with all the links to musical examples; they should work from the PDF, or you may copy them into your browser. Bhutan Music Here are some further resources: Ter Ellingson, Mandala of Sound: Concepts… Continue reading East-West Center Talk: Music in Bhutan: Himalayan Connections
I received the Ali Miya Prize from the Ali Miya Folklore Academy (Ali Miya Lok Wangmaya Pratisthan) on February 27th, 2016 in Pokhara, Nepal. The Rastriya Sanchar Samiti wrote this piece in English that was taken up by the Kathmandu Post, Himalayan Times, and other English dailies in Nepal as well as websites featuring Nepali news… Continue reading Press from the Ali Miya Prize
Nepali Folk Music from the Mountains, Hills, and Plains Ram Kumar Singh (bansuri flute, madal drum) Anna Stirr (bansuri flute, madal drum, vocals) Saturday, January 30, 2016 12:00-1:00 pm Library front lobby Ram Kumar Singh, bansuri Improvised solo in the Nepali folk tradition Ram Kumar Singh, bansuri Anna Stirr, madal Harvest song from the Dhimal… Continue reading Nepalese Music at Hawaii State Library Jan 30 2016
My article on CNN: "In Nepal, lift spirits through music." Nirmal Singh and Ram Singh contributed stories and thoughts. To contribute to earthquake relief, please see options for donation at the Association for Nepal and Himalayan Studies website, or the Society for Nepalese in Hawaii.
Here's a video from the rehearsals for the East-West Center concerts on April 18th and 19th. It's a Facebook video so you have to click on the link. But you'll be glad you did! https://www.facebook.com/EastWestCenter.org/videos/10152907793941312/?permPage=1
The East-West Center sponsored "Music of the Himalayas", a series of concerts and outreach events on April 17-19, 2015. After we performed at Punahou School, kids got to try the instruments. Here I am helping one with his embouchure!
Anna M Stirr, Ph.D. 
You must be logged in to post a comment.