Historical Context
The first South Asian a cappella group, Penn Masala, was formed at the University of Pennsylvania in 1996. The all-men chorus paved the way for more than 200 South Asian a cappella groups nationwide. With the abundance of students becoming interested in participating in South Asian a cappella and a cappella competitions, the Association of South Asian A Cappella (ASA) was formed in 2016 to connect and unite organizations across the US. Nowadays, these organizations compete and perform in bids and showcases in order to be crowned the winners of the All-American Awaaz (A3), a national South Asian a capella competition hosted by the ASA. Groups must compete at the regional level in order to be invited to the A3 where five organizations plus two wildcards compete for the title of ‘National Champion of South Asian A Cappella.’ While the competitive season runs from January through March, students work tirelessly in the off-season to organize their own events and competitions, rehearse and choreograph new repertoire, and fundraise for touring.
The Music
To sing a cappella means to sing without instrumental accompaniment. A cappella groups must get creative with how they utilize their voices to create different textures and timbres in their music. A cappella has its roots in barbershop music, a form known for its tight homophonic four-part harmonies. Styles like Doo-wop became popular in the 1950s, where vocalists would alter the quality of their voices to mimic band instruments. From these genres, the contemporary a cappella movement began in the 1980s, combining pop and rock influences into its arrangements. TV shows and movies like Glee, The Sing-Off, and Pitch Perfect brought a cappella into mainstream media. While groups like Pentatonix, Home Free, and Room Full of Teeth secured a cappella’s place in popular music in the 2010s. South Asian a cappella or Desi a cappella can be considered a subgenre of contemporary a cappella. It incorporates Western musical elements with a mix of Hindustani, Carnatic, and Bollywood elements to create a unique musicking that is beloved of young people across the United States. As the South Asian a cappella scene continues to grow, it is their hope that it will receive the same international renown and influence that contemporary a cappella performing groups continue to receive.
Resources
- Association of South-Asian A Cappella about section
- Ektaal, a collegiate South Asian a cappella group article from UVA
- All American Awaaz website, our story
- ACB interview with A3 organizer, Sahaana Sridhar
- Where Did the Instruments Go? A Brief History of A Cappella Music article