Arirang...아리랑

Many of us have came across or heard about 'Arirang'.The particular satellite channel 'Arirang' had made this unique word more popular.Not many people might have the knowledge that the word has very powerful meaning and deeply rooted with culture of the Korean people.It is a folk song passed down from generation to genaration.Inspite of its uniqueness it has no direct modern meaning.

Literally ,'Ari' means "beautiful" and 'Rang' can mean "dear". Because of those words, arirang could be interpreted to mean "beautiful dear".

Origin of Arirang: There are various opinions with regard to the origin of 'Arirang'.One version say that Arirang originated from the time when Hungson Taewongun, father of King Kojong, the next to the last king of the Choson Dynasty (1392-1910), was rebuilding Kyoungbok Palace in 1865, which had been destroyed by fire during the Japanese invasion of 1592-1598 led by warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi. the story also says that compulsory laborers conscripted across the country consoled themselves with songs and one of them, Arirang, became widely known to people after they returned home.

Another version hold that the song has existed since the Silla Dynasty or more than 1,000 years ago.The original version used the words "Aryong Arirang" in praise of the virtue of Aryong, wife of the founder of the Silla Dynasty.Over time, the words are said to have changed to the present refrain "Arirang, Arirang"

This folk song has got variations according to the region and it can be based on melody,lyrics,refrain etc.Famous arirang versions include Jeongseon Arirang,Sin Arirang or Gyeongi Arirang,Jindo Arirang.Paldo Arirang is sometimes used to collectively denote all the many regional versions of the song, as sung in the far-flung regions of Korea's traditional Eight Provinces (Paldo).

The most famous version of Arirang is that of Seoul,which is of most recent origin. It is often said that Koreans living abroad feels homesick when they hear this song. And if a foreigner sings this song people will get delighted and he/she will be acknowledged and praised.

아리랑, 아리랑, 아라리요...
아리랑 고개로 넘어간다.
나를 버리고 가시는 님은
십리도 못가서 발병난다.

Arirang, Arirang, Arariyo...
Arirang gogaero neomeoganda.
Nareul beorigo gasineun nimeun
Sibrido motgaseo balbyeongnanda.

So If you are in Korea try to memorize the song and just sing it in some gathering and you will see the astonishment of the peop

Watch the video!!I tried putting it here but in vain...check the link below

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FlXH9CGnvw