I am I am not a lover,

a long time,

a long for me. The stirring unmistakable sound of a Welsh male voice choir.

I'm Andrew Whitehead for the BBC World Service, uncovering the story of a young Indian woman who more

than a century ago won one of Wales's most prestigious cultural prizes.

Out of the heart of our country have sprung its traditions of poetry and song.

And our Easteavut, our assembly, is a festival of the people. To it they bring their talents, their individual gifts as

poets and singers, or together as choirs after months of preparation.

The National Ice Deadfold is the great celebration of Welsh culture.

Pageant, festival and competition all rolled into one.

This year the Ice Deadford was held at Ab at Aberrestreth, a seaside resort on the shores of Cardigan Bay,

the home of the first Welsh University College and of the National Library of Wales.

The Echolowgity of Edo we in Een Kraso.

I rrcede are Isedeavod.

The Isedfod is an annual event that dates back more than 800 years and was revived in the 19th century

when Welsh schools and universities started holding their own smaller Ice Steadfods with music, singing and

poetry recitations by the bards.

Gowni occurring blood. Trumpets herald the chairing of the bar, the climax of the Ice Deadfold, when the

druids, the custodians Celtic culture, swayed an elaborate almost priestly robes,

acclaim the outstanding poet.

The prize, a beautifully Welsh

Welsh event, so all the more remarkable for an outsider to win.

...