Dance and Music in the Bangladeshi Diaspora in Italy. The Identity Links forged by Musical Education

Abstract

The purpose of this project was to investigate, as part of an explorative-type research project, whether art – in this case music and dance – can act as a tool capable of favouring social integration within modern intercultural and multi-religious social contexts, while, at the same time, fostering cohesion between the members of Italy’s largest Bangladeshi community, that of Rome. The researcher chose a qualitative methodological approach, grounded in participant observation of social, political Bangladeshi events and religious Festivals held in Rome, as well as investigation of lessons in singing, instrumental music and private dancing lessons conducted by the Sanchari Sangeetayan School and promoted by the new generations of Bangladeshi resident in Rome.