Burma, Kipling and Western Music

This book explores how popular Western music influenced and reflected perceptions of Burma during its colonial period (1824-1948). Taking Kipling’s 1890 ballad ‘Mandalay’ as a critical turning point, it surveys musical works with Burma-related themes, emphasizing popular songs and show tunes, and also looking at classical works, ballet scores, hymns, soldiers’ songs, sea shanties, and film soundtracks. The book sheds new light on the West’s historical relationship with Burma, the colonial music scene, and Burma’s place in the development of popular music and the rise of the global music industry, making an original contribution to the fields of Musicology and Asian Studies.