Sunday, December 23, 2012

Jewish Traces in Unexpected Places: Hava Nagila Scores Big in Thailand


In April 2010, around the time we started our series of Hava Nagila around the world, we found and posted a somewhat risque version of the popular song -- actually a burlesque version. We regarded it as an oddity. What a surprise this week to find a more mainstream performance on Thailand's popular TV show, The Voice Thailand. 

The Voice is a reality talent show focusing on singing competition. It's a worldwide series that started in the Netherlands as The Voice of Holland in 2010. Soon after, many other countries including the USA have adapted the format and are airing their national versions. It's part of a talent competition phenomenon that includes American Idol, Britain's Got Talent and Israel's Kochav Nolad (A Star is Born).

We don't know how far this singer will get in the talent competition and how many times Hava Nagila will resound through the airwaves in Thailand, but for the time being, we can just enjoy the performance.


(A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.)   



4 comments:

  1. Unbelievable that Hava Nagilah should be heard in Thailand and sung by a Thai woman who probably doesn't even know what the Hebrew words mean!

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    1. Check out 26 more interpretations of Hava Nagila around the world and 20 international versions of Hevenu Shalom Aleichem, Adon Olam, and Abanibi in my e-book and paperback, Jewish Humor on Your Desktop: Volume 4: Jewish Traces in Unexpected Places.

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  2. I am pleased but a little offended at once! If someone-especially a performing artist- is going to take on the task of singing a song of a foreign language...she should be on her toes with the pronunciation of the lyrics----Her chutzpah and passion were "on"...she should have added a good steak to her sizzle! Just sayin........M.A.

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  3. anywhere I can hear this song I love it - good for her

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