Brooklyn Raga Massive
in the
Tibetan Buddhist
Shrine Room

The theme for this week is: Special Spaces

A raga is a musical melody originally found in classical Indian music. It is used to build passion and emotion in the listener and it is a way for the musician to get creative.

In this video, Brooklyn Raga Massive performs a song inside the Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room at the Rubin Museum of Art.

A shrine is a space where people come to reflect and pray. They make it special by adding statues and lamps and colorful paintings.

Step 1:
I will watch this video

As I watch, I will notice things that make this a special space...

Music

During a raga the musicians can improvise. This is how they can be creative. They can change parts of the traditional music to make it something new and exciting.

Two members of Brooklyn Raga Massive, one sitting on the ground with a string instrument, one on a chair playing the violin.

Colorful Paintings and Silk Hangings

I will notice all the colorful paintings and silks hanging from the walls in this shrine. They make it special by adding colors and pictures of important people and gods in a religion called Buddhism.

Colorful silks hang in the foreground, in the background colorful paintings are mounted on the yellow wall.

Lamps

I will see glowing light from the lamps in the shrine room. They are placed in front of the statues.

Close-up of a row of candles in gold holders shaped like goblets.

Statues

I will see shiny statues of all shapes and sizes. These represent gods in the Buddhist religion.

Close-up of a gold statue with multiple heads and arms.

As I watch, I will think about:

  • What makes this shrine space special?

  • What do I like about this shrine space?

  • What is my favorite space?

  • How does the music make me feel in my space?

Step 2:
What did I notice?

I will write, draw, or talk about what I noticed during the video:

I noticed when the musicians_________________________.

My favorite part of the song was______________________.

The shrine space is special because___________________.

Step 3: What is special to me?

The shrine room is a very special place, filled with special things.

I'm going to make my own special space in my home.

I will pick the things that are special to me...

  • My favorite place in my home

Emoji of a house with red roof and a green tree

  • My favorite objects, like a toy, game, or books

Emoji of a purple yo-yo with a decorative yellow star on it.
Emoji of a brown teddy bear
Emoji of a stack of three books with a red cover

  • My favorite music

Emoji of three black musical notes

  • My favorite decorations

Emoji of a large red bow
Emoji of a green mountainside, yellow sun and blue background in a brown frame.
Emoji of a red balloon

Why are these things special to me?

Step 4: Create my own special space

Emoji hand raising index finger

First

I will gather my favorite objects and bring them to my favorite spot.

Emoji hand raising index and middle finger in the "#2" gesture

Then

I can add my favorite decorations.

Emoji hand waving

Last

I can play my favorite music or sing my favorite song to make this my own special space.

I can watch the video again and improvise!

I can create a new special space for myself using a new spot and different objects and music to make it special.

Explore More

Extension Questions:

  • What do you notice about the instruments that Brooklyn Raga Massive are playing? Which one is your favorite?

  • What other types of music would you play in this shrine room?

Additional Links:

  • To learn more about Brooklyn Raga Massive or to watch other videos of their work, click to visit their website.

  • To learn more about the Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room at the Rubin Museum of Art, visit their website.

  • To learn more about Lincoln Center Passport programs, click here.

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Click below for a printable copy of these activities

Lincoln Center - Passport Program - Brooklyn Raga Massive