David Blanasi facts for kids
David Blanasi (born around 1930, passed away around 2001) was an Aboriginal man from the Mayali language group in west Arnhem Land, Australia. He became famous for showing the didgeridoo to people outside Australia. This happened after he appeared on the Rolf Harris show on television in 1967. After that, he traveled the world playing his "mago" (which is another name for didgeridoo). Many people recognized him for his amazing skills.
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David Blanasi's Early Life and Music
David Blanasi was born around 1930. His Aboriginal name was Bylanadji, and Blanasi is a simpler way of saying it. He lived in a remote Aboriginal community in south-central Arnhem Land, in Australia's Northern Territory. This place is known as Wugularr or Barunga.
Blanasi started playing the didgeridoo when he was young. He would copy the sounds of different animals, like the brolga bird. His father later taught him how to play even better. He also learned traditional ways to make musical instruments. Young Blanasi was known for always carrying his "mago" as he traveled with his family. He became known as a very skilled player of traditional Kun-borrk music.
Blanasi started traveling a lot from the 1950s onwards.
Sharing Aboriginal Music with the World
David Blanasi first became known to the public in 1961-62. A researcher from the US, La Mont West, recorded him and other Aboriginal didgeridoo players. These recordings were later released as an LP record called Arnhem Land Popular Classics in 1963.
In 1967, David Blanasi became the first Aboriginal Australian to travel to England since 1792. While there, he appeared on television for the first time. He showed how to play the didgeridoo on the popular Rolf Harris Show. After this, he worked with Rolf Harris on music and tours. He also toured Australia and other countries as part of a traditional dance group. His lifelong friend and songmaster Djoli Laiwanga and the famous dancer and actor David Gulpilil were sometimes part of this group.
Later, David Blanasi and Djoli Laiwanga started their own group called the "White Cockatoo Performing Group".
David Blanasi also taught the Australian entertainer Rolf Harris how to play the didgeridoo. Rolf Harris became one of the first well-known non-Aboriginal Australians to learn the instrument. In the late 1970s, he also taught Ian MacFarlane, an electronic musician. Ian lived with David's family and learned from him.
David Blanasi is remembered as one of the greatest master mago (didgeridoo) players of the 20th century. He was also a master instrument maker. His didgeridoos are now very special and sought after by collectors.
Later Life and Disappearance
In 1998, David Blanasi's lifelong music partner, Djoli Laiwanga, passed away. After this, Blanasi lived quietly in his home in Barunga. In August 2001, he went missing. Reports said he had gone out to find wood for making instruments. His disappearance was reported in newspapers and many people wondered what happened. As of 2020, no trace of Blanasi has been found. Even though his body was never found, his family eventually held a funeral ceremony for him.
His grandson, Darryl Dikarrna, continues his grandfather's traditions. He was chosen by David Blanasi to be his successor in the White Cockatoo Performing Group.
Films
- 1992 - Didjeridu with Charlie McMahon. Directed by Jeni Kendell and Paul Tait. Gaia Films.
See also
