With Christine Anu’s new album Restylin’ Up 20 Years now in stores, I figured it was worth taking a look at one of its bonus songs, “Kulba Yaday.”
It’s a beautiful number performed in the language of the Torres Strait Islands. You might not understand the words, but I’m sure you can sense the sadness in Christine’s delivery. It speaks of Indigenous people losing their culture and stories passed down through the generations.
“’Kulba Yaday’ unfortunately did not make it onto the original album, but it was always a song I wanted to be part of Stylin’ Up. It is written in KKY (Kalaw Kawaw Oya) language and is a song of lament,” says Christine. “This wonderful song came to me in a dream and was written with a cultural elder and family member and is a very special song to me. Partly because it is sung in language but also because it speaks to my Torres Strait Islander heritage which I am enormously proud of.”
Remember, if you love Christine you can see her performing this song and others from her Restylin’ Up 20 Years album at the following shows.
13 June 2015 – The Street Theatre, Canberra
14 August 2015 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
15 August 2015 – The Basement, Sydney
21 August 2015 – The Bean Bar, Taree
22 August 2015 – The Jetty Theatre, Coffs Harbour
11 September 2015 – Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, Wollongong
12 September 2015 – Laycock Street Theatre, North Gosford
24 October 2015 – The Hydro Majestic, Blue Mountains