The blind singers of Vladan Nedic and Vasko Popa

Abstract

According to Vuk Karadzic, sung epic poetry accompanied by the gusle was spread by outlaws, travellers and the blind. Such blind men used to perform in homes, monasteries, and church fairs (in Banat, Backa, Slavonia and Srem, such a fair is known as the slava - patron saint?s day - of a church, village, town or monastery). After World War II, some literary authors and historians started to refer to the gusle players and singers who were blind as ?the blind singers?. These writers and literary historians started appreciating their singing as high art, so the view of their singing as a form of craft accompanied by begging they did for a living had to be changed. They believed that the artists were supposed to be remembered simply as ?blind singers?, rather than ?blind men?. Their lyrical achievement was valued more than their craft (singing) and social status (begging). Among the most adamant advocates of the new designation were university professor Vladan Nedic and the poet Vasko Popa.