Iyasa scoops Austrian award

Bruce Ndlovu
Inkululeko Yabatsha School of Arts (Iyasa) is still raking in international awards like itaï¿½ï¿½s for fun.

Last weekend, the globe-trotting Bulawayo group Iyasa was honoured for coming up with the best music during at the Stella16 awards in Austria, that countryaï¿½ï¿½s premier arts ceremony.

Iyasa who have made Austria, among other European countries home, were acknowledged for their work on an Austrian production titled Mein Bauenhof (My Farm House) at a ceremony held at die Kammerspiele at Landestheater on Friday night.

Iyasa provided the compelling music to the production written by Austrian director Stephan Rabl and premiered in Vienna, Austria in March.

Although local audiences might never have encountered the play, a short trailer of the play on YouTube reveals the stellar work that won Iyasa its award.

In it, the group is showcased going through a variety of tasks in a typical Austrian farmhouse, with their labour infused with African melodies and dances. Although the setting is distinctly Austrian, the popular group infuses an African element into it by giving renditions of songs like Indonsakusa and breaking into the gumboot dance in one of its routines.

While it has made its name for its expert interpretation of Zimbabwean culture and tradition, the group shows that it is not averse to the modern in the production, with rap music also forming part of the groupaï¿½ï¿½s act.

aï¿½?Last night in Austria Iyasa scooped an award for best music in the production Mein Bauenhof (My Farm House).

These awards are similar to Zimbabwe aï¿½?s NAMAs in the theatre category. We thank all those who have believed in us for the past 15 yearsaï¿½?.

aï¿½?Thank you to the concept architect Stepha Rabl. I wrote the music but Cheryl Mabaya , Thembinkosi Dube, Alice Gurure, Sibonisiwe Sithole Bekithemba Phiri, Roben Mlauzi, Lameck Keswa and Buhlebenkosi Madah Sibanda gave it a life that nitched this recognition. I am genuinely thankful,aï¿½? wrote group founder Nkululeko Dube after announcement of the groupaï¿½ï¿½s triumph.