I'm coming across this old thread randomly and have an idea: the oud need to have some cultural relevancy to the mainstream audience. People who
practice Indian music/yoga for example, can either go for just the external aspect of it, but they are probably just as attracted to the philosophy
behind it. Likewise with kungfu/martial arts perhaps. Djembe has probably become widespread for its educational or therapeutic use as a "group"
activity quite detached from the tradition itself?
The oud and its music probably need to enter the mainstream cultural discourse somehow to have a sustained market. A massive/one-off exposure would
still render it as pretty exotica if it does not become 'relevant'.
What I wonder is therefore: what cultural resources does the oud embody that could interest people who are not necessarily oriented to, say, Middle
Eastern culture to begin with?
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