CREDITS News in Review is produced by Visit www.curio.ca/newsinreview for an archive of all CBC NEWS and curio.ca previous News In Review seasons. As a companion resource, go to www.cbc.ca/news for additional GUIDE articles. Writer: Chris Coates Editor: Sean Dolan CBC authorizes reproduction of material contained VIDEO in this guide for educational purposes. Please Host: Michael Serapio identify source. Senior Producer: Jordanna Lake News In Review is distributed by: Packaging Producer: Marie-Hélène Savard curio.ca | CBC Media Solutions Associate Producer: Francine Laprotte Supervising Manager: Laraine Bone © 2019 Canadian Broadcasting Corporation MAYA/MATHANGI/M.I.A. – The Making of a Political Pop Star

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Mathangi Maya Arulpragasam — known simply now as M.I.A. — is an acclaimed Sri Lankan-Tamil rapper pop star from England. Always controversial, she is an outspoken activist, who uses her fame as a platform to express her political views, particularly about the Tamil crisis in Sri Lanka.

Film director Stephen Loveridge put together a documentary of the artist’s life which includes a slew of footage shot by Maya herself over the past 22 years. It follows her from her early years in Sri Lanka, growing up in London and her rise to fame. The National’s host Adrienne Arsenault takes a look at the life of this controversial music artist at the release of her documentary in North America.

RELATED CONTENT • Canada Reads 2018: Sharon Bala on The Boat People • Interrupt This Program series (on art as a form of protest around the world) • News in Review, October 2010 – The Tamil Boat People Controversy • News in Review, December 1995 – Sri Lanka: Cornering the Tigers?

curio.ca/newsinreview / 3 VIDEO REVIEW

curio.ca/newsinreview / 4 BEFORE VIEWING As a class or in small groups, consider the following questions: 1. What is the purpose of art — whether we are talking about a painter, a writer or a musician? What role should artists play in society? 2. U.S. writer and liberal political activist Norman Mailer famously said, “The final purpose of art is to intensify, even, if necessary, to exacerbate the moral consciousness of people.” To what extent do you agree with Mailer’s position? How can art influence society’s perception of right and wrong? 3. Is it acceptable for popular music to be overtly political? Brainstorm some examples of popular artists whose music and lyrics comment on important world issues.

Maya/Mathangi/M.I.A. – The Making of a Political Pop Star curio.ca/newsinreview / 5 WHILE VIEWING

1. When did Mathangi Maya Arulpragasam (M.I.A.) break onto the music scene?  a) 2018  b) 2004  c) 2010  d) 2012 2. M.I.A.’s father was one of the founders of the early Tamil resistance movement, leading up to the 25-year Sri Lankan Civil War.  TRUE or  FALSE 3. What inspired Arulpragasam to adopt the stage name ‘M.I.A.’?  a) She felt the Sri Lankan government was neglecting its responsibilities for its citizens.  b) Her family suggested it.  c) She received news that her cousin had gone “missing-in-action” in the Sri Lankan Civil War.  d) It’s an acronym for “Maya in Action.”

4. There is an ongoing ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka .  TRUE or  FALSE

Maya/Mathangi/M.I.A. – The Making of a Political Pop Star curio.ca/newsinreview / 6 5. In Steven Loveridge’s documentary Matangi/Maya/M.I.A., why doesn’t she visit her childhood home in Jaffna, Sri Lanka??  a) The Israeli army had taken control of the city.  b) It was too costly and inconvenient.  c) She was too afraid.  d) The government was bombing the area daily. 6. Why was M.I.A.’s video for the song Born Free temporarily banned on YouTube?  a) It contains scenes of graphic executions in Sri Lanka.  b) It portrays the persecution of Tamils through discrimination against redheaded Americans.  c) Arulpragasam faces the camera and gives “the middle finger.”  d) She challenges Brexit, the United Kingdom’s initiative to exit the European Union. 7. How does M.I.A. respond to criticism that her creativity is too political?  a) She doesn’t care because her art reflects experiences.  b) She has started working on an album of love songs.  c) Her manager promised fans that she would “tone it down.”  d) She has been discouraged from continuing to make music.

Maya/Mathangi/M.I.A. – The Making of a Political Pop Star curio.ca/newsinreview / 7 TALK PROMPTS

curio.ca/newsinreview / 8 TALK PROMPT #1 Consider pausing the video and giving students the opportunity to talk to an elbow partner for a few minutes or use these questions as part of a class discussion.

Pause the video after the clip of M.I.A. giving the middle finger at Super Bowl LVXI, @ 1:52 1. What do you think motivated M.I.A. to use this gesture at such a high profile event? 2. What do you think her message might have been? 3. Should she be punished for her actions? Why or why not?

Maya/Mathangi/M.I.A. – The Making of a Political Pop Star curio.ca/newsinreview / 9 TALK PROMPT #2

Pause the video after the clip of M.I.A. explaining her migration to England, @ 03:57 1. What challenges would Mathangi have faced as a 10-year-old Tamil in London? 2. What sort of impact do you think this experience had on her?

TALK PROMPT #3

Let the video play through until the end: 1. M.I.A. says she is often criticized for the subject matter in her music. In your view, does her frequent reference to the immigrant experience affect her creativity or the quality of her music? 2. Should she be exploring more universal themes as a popular artist?

Maya/Mathangi/M.I.A. – The Making of a Political Pop Star curio.ca/newsinreview / 10 AFTER VIEWING

1. To what extent has the information in the video changed your perception of the role of the artist in society and the intersection of politics and popular music? Explain your reasoning. 2. Do artists and celebrities have a moral duty to use their position to raise public awareness on social issues? Why or why not?

Maya/Mathangi/M.I.A. – The Making of a Political Pop Star curio.ca/newsinreview / 11 If Drake ‘started [from] the bottom,’ I started in the abyss – M.I.A. (Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam) THE STORY Minds On  In your group, conduct TOPICS research under your This activity will provide you Group 1 – Key Figures assigned topic and record with some background Group 2 – Causes your findings in the Google knowledge regarding the Sri doc. Group 3 – Timeline of events Lankan Civil War. Your teacher will:  Share your findings with the Group 4 – Photos & captions Group 5 – Consequences • Divide the class into groups class in a presentation of (political, economic, social, of four or five approximately five to seven minutes. cultural) • Assign each group a topic Group 6 – International • Create a shared Google doc response & activism the class can access (or wall chart) featuring the chart on the following page.

Maya/Mathangi/M.I.A. – The Making of a Political Pop Star curio.ca/newsinreview / 13 SRI LANKAN CIVIL WAR

1. Key figures

2. Causes

3. Timeline of events

4. Photos & captions

5. Consequences

6. International response & activism

Maya/Mathangi/M.I.A. – The Making of a Political Pop Star curio.ca/newsinreview / 14 M.I.A.: Alt-pop agitator sought asylum She had defied the odds to over a decade become an emerging visual earlier. Suddenly, artist and filmmaker the day she felt compelled she graduated art school in to return to Sri 2000. Then, Mathangi “Maya” Lanka in search of Arulpragasam got a phone call Janna. What began that changed her life. Her as a quest to find favourite cousin, Janna, had her lost cousin explosive voices in mainstream gone ‘M.I.A.’ (missing-in- became an origin story — the music today. action) in Sri Lanka’s ongoing coming of age of M.I.A., three- Mathangi’s loss of innocence civil war. Overcome by guilt time Grammy nominee and about her relative privilege, leading alt-pop agitator, M.I.A. comes by her politics Maya felt a sudden strong whose spirited protest and honestly. She was less than a connection to the homeland avant-garde earworms have year old when her father, Arul from which her family had made her one of the most Pragasam, moved their family

Maya/Mathangi/M.I.A. – The Making of a Political Pop Star curio.ca/newsinreview / 15 from London to Jaffna, where and helped found the Eelam father, who was introduced to ethnic minority Tamil Hindus Revolutionary Organisation of her as her uncle to keep his were being persecuted and Students (EROS). location a secret. “If Drake murdered by the Buddhist ‘started [from] the bottom’, I Arular’s activism contributed Sinhalese majority to a volatile childhood for started in the abyss,” she says government. Arul joined the of her youth. As the ethnic war Mathangi — one marked by fight for an independent Tamil escalated, the Arulpragasam gunfire drills at school, hiding state in northern Sri Lanka, from the government, and family moved back-and-forth adopting the war name Arular, in derelict housing between Sri infrequent contact with her Lanka and India before settling M.I.A.’s father, Arul Pragasam, was a political activist and one of as refugees in London in 1985. the founders of the Eelam Revolutionary Organisation of Students The miseducation of Maya (EROS), a Tamil resistance movement seeking independence from Arulpragasam Sri Lanka leading up to the country’s 25-year civil war. The more extreme Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) eventually As she left behind one conflict, absorbed the group during the conflict. Mathangi entered into another.

Maya/Mathangi/M.I.A. – The Making of a Political Pop Star curio.ca/newsinreview / 16 Her family moved to London’s where you stand. Because I including her next-door Mitcham District where they didn’t know English, and it was neighbour whose Public Enemy were one of only two Asian white people who were and N.W.A. bass lines would families in the Phipps Bridge dominating my brain, [I was permeate Maya’s bedroom Estate housing project. always thinking] ‘they don’t wall at night, as well as other Mathangi continued her like me ‘cause they think I’m a Sri Lankan refugees who reluctant education in racial Paki, what’s that about?’ embraced what was then an hierarchy at a local primary When I walked around [Phipps outsider cultural movement. school for new immigrants, Bridge] back then, I felt like I “Hip-hop was the most guerilla where she quickly mastered was scum of the earth.” thing happening in England at English and adopted the name the time,” she says. “And that While Maya’s immigrant Maya. “Having to go to a felt like home, and I could experience in south London special school to learn English, dance while I was feeling shitty. was isolating, it did expose her where you’re lumped in class It had a whole aesthetic to it — to other marginalized voices as with other kids from around it was being really crass with she got to know her neighbours the world, (…) you figure out pride.” Without knowing it better. She met black youth,

Maya/Mathangi/M.I.A. – The Making of a Political Pop Star curio.ca/newsinreview / 17 Maya was receiving an to reconcile the artistic theory anyone there who was doing education in the artistic she was taught in her classes interesting art that was also weaponry she would later use with her own social reality: a getting through to everyday to become a star. mother facing eviction, her people.” brother in jail, and an The call of the artist The birth of M.I.A. absentee father who, after 12 Fast-forward a decade to that years mediating peace talks in Then, she got the call about fateful last day at Central Saint Sri Lanka, had only her cousin and soon after was Martin’s College of Art and recently informed Design. Maya had bypassed her he was still alive. the admissions process by “By the time I left convincing the headmaster by Saint Martin’s, I phone that she was the could not justify unconventional candidate the myself being an college needed. Despite her artist at all, because persuasiveness, she struggled I did not meet

Maya/Mathangi/M.I.A. – The Making of a Political Pop Star curio.ca/newsinreview / 18 in Sri Lanka on a mission. Sri Lanka, its use has overt political messaging of the Though she didn’t find Janna historically been reserved for original footage. She until it was too late (she found Tamil youth in particular, considered the revised film him brain dead in a Sri Lankan claiming tens of thousands of “bored and ugly” but her work hospital, another Tamil Tiger lives since its passing in 1978. received an Alternative Turner casualty), Maya learned that Prize nomination for graffiti Maya documented her an entire generation of Tamil under the moniker M.I.A. experiences on film — 60 youth had been swallowed by A month later, she used the hours worth of footage — but civil war, just like he had been. same nom de guerre to record because of anti-Tamil Tiger She also learned of a Sri a demo EP of her first music, sentiment in the U.K., she had Lankan law called The including the groundbreaking to convert the project to Prevention of Terrorism Act single Galang, which landed her something stripped of the that allowed authorities to a contract with XL Recordings in shoot-to-kill anyone suspected “Everyone on a daily basis tells 2004 and cemented M.I.A. as of being a terrorist. Although me I could be Madonna if I an international indie cultural the legislation applied to all of shut up.” – M.I.A. icon.

Maya/Mathangi/M.I.A. – The Making of a Political Pop Star curio.ca/newsinreview / 19 Weapons of mass construction Palestinian Liberation the latter two works among the That was fifteen years ago. Organization. Similarly, her most influential music videos However, it is the identity 2010 short film Born Free was ever made. the subject of heated politics that charged her early M.I.A.’s biggest scandal came censorship debate for its use of work that have come to in 2012 when she performed redheaded Americans as stand- characterize M.I.A.’s career. alongside Madonna and Nicki ins for ethnic minorities She has made the political Minaj at the Super Bowl half- everywhere to comment on the danceable as well as any artist time show. After being ordered absurdity of genocide and anti- has — her “problematic” to subdue her lyrics on immigration law. Two years persona gaining notoriety at Madonna’s Give Me All Your later, Bad Girls challenged every turn. Shortly after Galang Luvin’, M.I.A. substituted a women’s rights in Saudi Arabia hit, the video for her single curse word with an extended by depicting niqab-wearing Sunshowers was banned by middle finger to an audience of women drag racing sports cars both YouTube and MTV in 2004 167 million viewers. The NFL and popping wheelies on for alleged sympathy with slapped back with a $16 million terror groups like the motorbikes. Many critics view

Maya/Mathangi/M.I.A. – The Making of a Political Pop Star curio.ca/newsinreview / 20 lawsuit for tarnishing the on M.I.A.: “They [were] Renegade, influencer, truth league’s “goodwill and basically [saying] it’s okay for teller reputation.” The irony of a me to promote being sexually Call her a renegade, a leftist league in charge of one of the exploited as a female than to rogue, or a bourgeois shock world’s most violent socially display empowerment, female jockey — M.I.A.’s impact on sanctioned spectacles claiming empowerment, through being pop culture is indisputable. wholesomeness was not lost punk rock (…) It’s a middle Trendsetters SPIN and Urb finger, get a named her Artist of the Year, (…) grip!” The Time Magazine called her one matter was of the Most Influential People settled in 2014 of 2009, and in 2010, Esquire for an said she was one of the 75 undisclosed Most Influential People of the amount. 21st Century. Even Julian Assange, WikiLeaks founder

Maya/Mathangi/M.I.A. – The Making of a Political Pop Star curio.ca/newsinreview / 21 and perhaps this generation’s TO CONSIDER most famous whistleblower, 1. M.I.A.’s father Arul’s activism made his family especially describes her as a vulnerable leading up to the Sri Lankan Civil War. What were “megaphone for the truth.” his motives and to what extent do you think his choices were But the 43 year-old refuses to justified? Are there cases where politics may be more let her status silence her: important than family? “Everyone tells me on a daily basis I could be Madonna if I 2. M.I.A. seemed underwhelmed by much of her experience as just shut up.” She continues, an art student at Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and “At the end of the day, I don’t Design. Why was this the case? What role do you think M.I.A. see how you can shut up and believes art and the artist plays in society? just enjoy success when other people who don’t have the The documentary, MATANGI/MAYA/M.I.A., directed by Stephen luxury to rent security guards Loveridge, is available online. are suffering. What the hell do they do?”

Maya/Mathangi/M.I.A. – The Making of a Political Pop Star curio.ca/newsinreview / 22 ACTIVITY #1: Analyzing World Issues in M.I.A.’s Music Artists often use perspective does the not including the video, and their creative song/video convey? should feature: works to confront 2. How does the song/video • An annotated lyrics sheet major issues that affect convey M.I.A.’s perspective • The music video the world. For this assignment, on the issue? (if available) you will work with a partner to 3. What is the song/video’s • Comprehensive research select an M.I.A. song/video purpose? from the list on the following information on the issue 4. Why does M.I.A. present page, annotate its lyrics, your song/video addresses this perspective? analyze its treatment of a • Your analysis of the world issue, and present it to 5. How successful is the song/video, reflecting the the class. Your critical analysis song/video in achieving its questions above goal? should consider the following: • A visual aid, such as a 1. What political, economic, Your presentation should be Powerpoint, Prezi, or social, or environmental approximately 7-10 minutes, Google Slideshow

Maya/Mathangi/M.I.A. – The Making of a Political Pop Star curio.ca/newsinreview / 23 SONG CHOICES ACTIVITY #2: Silenced Political Bands Campaign

1. MATANGI Despite occasional backlash • Select one (1) of the 2. Born Free from critics and institutions, outspoken musicians or 3. Paper Planes M.I.A. has been relatively free bands listed that have been 4. Boom ADD to use her music as a conduit victims of unjust silencing for social and political by authoritarian 5. Bad Girls awareness. Not all musicians, governments. 6. Pull Up the People however, have been as • Conduct additional research 7. Sunshowers fortunate. on their music and the 8. Bring the Noize • Individually or with a reasons why they were 9. Borders partner, access the article banned. 10. MIA Ola entitled “Musical Martyrs: • Next, using a social media 11. POWA Bands Who've Been platform, create an Punished for Their Politics” awareness campaign that from The Atlantic. includes the following:

Maya/Mathangi/M.I.A. – The Making of a Political Pop Star curio.ca/newsinreview / 24 • A brief background on the musician/band • An overview of their conflict with government • A visual, such as an infographic or poster, that spreads awareness about the injustice • A call to action that urges your audience to do something to help prevent future injustices.

Prepare to share your campaign with your classmates.

Maya/Mathangi/M.I.A. – The Making of a Political Pop Star curio.ca/newsinreview / 25 SOURCES

Amnesty International. (April 2017). Sri Lanka – Victims of Disappearance Cannot Wait Any Longer for Justice. Amnesty International. Retrieved from: www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2017/04/sri-lanka-victims-of-disappearance-cannot-wait-any-longer-for-justice/ Babcock, Jay. (February 11, 2007). Interview with M.I.A. from ARTHUR No. 16. Arthur Magazine. Retrieved from: https://arthurmag.com/2007/02/11/interview-with-mia-from-arthur-magazine/ Hirschberg, Lynn. (May 25, 2010). M.I.A.'s Agitprop Pop. The New York Times. Retrieved from: www.nytimes.com/2010/05/30/magazine/30mia-t.html Hogan, Marc. (May 26, 2016). M.I.A. vs. the System: A Complete Timeline of Her Controversies. Pitchfork. Retrieved from: https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/1165-mia-vs-the-system-a-complete-timeline-of-her-controversies/ McCrea, Brad. (March 28, 2018). M.I.A. Opens Up About 'Ridiculous' NFL Lawsuit. IHeartRadio. Retrieved from: www.iheartradio.ca/news/m-i-a-opens-up-about-ridiculous-nfl-lawsuit-1.3718517 Perry, Kevin. (October 4, 2016). MIA Interviewed: ‘If Drake Started At The Bottom, I Started In The Abyss’ NME. Retrieved from: www.nme.com/features/mia-interviewed-if-drake-started-at-the-bottom-i-started-in-the-abyss-nme-november-2013-cover-featur- 756578 Ramesh, Randip. (February 11, 2009). MIA Accused of Supporting Terrorism by Speaking out for Tamil Tigers. The Guardian. Retrieved from: www.theguardian.com/music/2009/feb/11/mia-sri-lanka-tamil-tigers

Maya/Mathangi/M.I.A. – The Making of a Political Pop Star curio.ca/newsinreview / 26 SOURCES

Sawyer, Miranda. (June 12, 2010). MIA: 'I'm Here for the People' | Pop Interview. The Guardian. Retrieved from: www.theguardian.com/music/2010/jun/13/mia-feature-miranda-sawyer Wheaton, Robert. (May 6, 2005). London Calling: For Congo, Colombo, and Sri Lanka. Pop Matters. Retrieved from https://www.popmatters.com/mia-050506-2496108069.html

Maya/Mathangi/M.I.A. – The Making of a Political Pop Star curio.ca/newsinreview / 27

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