The Bhajan

H Joy Norman addresses the influence of music in Christian worship, and focuses mainly on the sub-continent of India and in the diaspora where South Asian immigrants have settled. Discussing in detail the historical development of the 'bhajan', a type of devotional song and its cultural relation with Christian worship, 'The Bhajan' explores how different cultures have influenced the music and poetry of the region and indeed how music has affected the culture and religion of the South Asian continent. The issue of whether South Asians in the diaspora have retained the music in this religious song as distinctly Indian , is fully explored. H Joy Norman was born in Trinidad and of indentured immigrants from India, but educated largely in England. 'The Bhajan' straddles the continents, the religions, the musical influences and the ethnic divides that these countries represent. This unique perspective has allowed her to draw on her experience of being brought up in three cultures - as an Indo-Caribbean, as a resident of Trinidad and Tobago living among many races and as a British citizen in England. Given that her family comprised Hindus, Christians and Muslims, people of all Christian denominations and religions were always made welcome at her home. Music from these three faiths was therefore a natural phenomenon to her; musical sounds from the West and musical sounds from India were an embedded part of my childhood . Having studied at the Royal College of Music in London, her enthusiasm for music in education led to her working with students of all ages up to degree level. She has performed in ensemble groups and has written several academic papers on music.