“Dinata Dinata” was composed by Armenian-American composer and musician Ara Dinkjian. It was released in 1991. I originally chose this song because after having been exposed to the Oud I have really come to enjoy the instrument and the musical traditions surrounding it. “Dinata Dinata” itself does not include the Oud, but after listening to a lot of Middle Eastern music that included the Oud it’s interesting to listen to a song without it. I also thought it was very interesting that this song was played at the end of the 2004 Olympics in Athens. It is very good to see this type of music played for a global audience.

          The song itself is very fast-paced, and includes a variety of instruments, many of which are familiar in the West as well. It includes an upright bass, drum set, and a four-stringed instrument that has some similarities to a western banjo.

Dinata Dinata – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Tlb_qhh3R8