Mishalow V. Cultural and artistic aspects of the origins and development of the Kharkiv Bandura

This dissertation is devoted to the systematic study of the origins and development of the Kharkiv style of bandura playing, a style developed by writer, composer and ethnographer - Hnat Khotkevych based on the traditional regional playing style and repertoire exploited by itinerant blind bandura players, known as kobzari, used in the area around the city of Kharkiv. The dissertation examines this phenomena and its context in world culture. The dissertation analyses the method of playing, repertoire and lifestyle of the traditional folk kobzari of the Slobozhan region, the development of phenomena of the folkloric stage kobzar and bandurist, the establishment of formal academic courses in playing the bandura, the establishment of the first bandura ensembles. The dissertation is the first to analyse aspects of this legacy which survived amongst proponents in the Ukrainian diaspora based on manuscripts and first hand accounts, the interaction between Ukraine and its diaspora and also the numerous attempts to revive and reintroduce the Kharkiv style of Bandura playing in Ukraine; the branch - art, the theory and history of culture