¡Colores!; Part 1

KNME-TV (Television station : Albuquerque, N.M.) · October 5, 2005

This file contains raw footage of a memorial cross or "descanso" near the side of a busy highway at dusk. The white metal cross with artificial white and red roses was likely erected to commemorate a person(s) who died in a traffic accident. Another descanso is shown near the banks of a river. Raw footage shot for "Alabados de Nuevo Mexico." This ¡Colores! travels though time with sacred alabados of the Penitentes. The New Mexican alabado is a folk poem/canticle has been used by the Fraternidad Piadosa de Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno, more commonly known as the Penitentes, since the colonization of New Mexico. These Spanish hymns were once intimately connected to most communities’ spiritual activities. But, as modern New Mexico culture transforms, the alabados are being lost from the repertoire of New Mexican folklore. Beautifully sung by José Griego y Maestas and accompanied by his son Elias, these ancient ballads are stunningly illustrated with modern day images of northern New Mexico to create a profoundly interactive experience. Co-Producer Dev Dharam Kaur Hüske originally developed this project for her Master’s degree in Digital Audio and Video Production at New Mexico Highlands University. Ms. Hüske is an international photographer and multimedia artist. She has studied extensively with spiritual masters from India. Her spiritual insights are integral to her media productions. She resides in northern New Mexico. José Griego y Maestas, Ph.D., professional educator and folklorist from northern New Mexico, has conducted research on the New Mexico alabado since his graduate school experience. He learned many alabados from hermano elders during his experience as a hermano of the Cofradía Piadosa de Nuestro Padre Jesús over a period of 25 years. Production for this program made possible in part by New Mexico Arts a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts.