A season like none else
(Disclaimer : This is NOT rambling complaint about the scorching heat we've all been dying of this summer)
Music was one among the many spheres that underwent revolutionary changes with the onset of a technology boom worldwide. With Apple releasing the iPod, the touch of a button made it possible to listen to a favourite tune despite notions of time and place.
Surprisingly and rather shockingly, my early use of
the iPod was limited to listening only to Carnatic melodies I was familiar with
or had learnt. This changed once I grasped the nuances of the
art and realised the vast collection of songs at my disposal. Since then, there has been
no looking back. I was, quite simply, hooked to the iPod, and refused to part
with it even for more than three hours at the most.
I was fast developing a deep and intense passion for
music, and my obsession amused and delighted my family.
Having said this, the biggest boon of living in
Chennai, I believe, is the the opportunity to soak myself into the world’s
biggest carnival of Carnatic Music- the Madras Music Season. Over the years, I
am told, it has evolved into a wonderful platform for music from across the
country and around the world to be performed.
The beginning was humble- a festival to ensure that
the glory of Indian culture did not meet a premature death amidst a changing
environment attributed to colonial influence. Today, it is an exhilarating
experience for music enthusiasts across the globe, a unique celebration of the
art they love.
It is a time when newspapers and magazines fill their pages with reviews, interviews and trivia. A time when the gap between traditional and modern, elders and youngsters is bridged. A time when talent meets opportunity.
Most opine that the two are incompatible and therefore unrelated. In fact, a friend of mine
said, “Music is refreshing. But the very thought of mathematics
makes me Want to squirm. How can you possibly like both? That’s just ridiculous!”
Which got me wondering about what makes music pleasing and soothing. Isn’t it
the confluence of shruti (pitch) and tala (rhythm)? But, numbers happen to be fundamental to the conceptualisation of talam. If
one endeavours to study music in depth, he or she
realise that mathematics is indeed a substratum for music. I've always thought of music and
mathematics like the leaf of a bush with dew drops lacing the
surface- neither entwined into one nor separated into two.
(Having been part of this culturally alive one month rendezvous for quite a while, now, I wanted to pen the earliest impressions I had; which, curiously remain unchanged)
Come November, the heavens crack open and the rains
pour life into everything around. The weather now serves as a much-welcome
change from the ‘hot, hotter, hottest’ climate the city has earned a reputation
for. In fact, this pleasantness is mischievously deceptive, leading many
innocent tourists to plan an elaborate vacation over summer!
The impact upon one’s appetite is tremendous.
Seizing the opportunity, catering companies do a brisk business during this
time of the year, as Sabhas offer food for both soul and stomach within and
without the confines of the auditorium.
From all these seemingly trivial experiences, I have realised the immense joy that lies in the sheer simplicity of it all and somehow, translating that joy into words has been far easier than expected.
P.S. Dear reader, considering that this is the lengthiest article I have written in a while, I guess I have got to thank you for having the patience to read it completely (if you did :) )
Not to brag but truly the glory of the bharat culture will not perish as long as there are people like me!!.(refer para 2).
ReplyDeleteReferring bharata desha as india is also due to colonial influence(ref para 2)!.
I hope criticism will be taken positively. ~ ANISH RAGHAVENDRA
Keep writing more such articles. Gives readers like me so much happiness when reminded of the exploits,culture,traditions and the greatness of bharata desha named after the great bharata, son of king Dushyanta.
ReplyDeleteProud of you!!. Hats off!. ~Anish Raghavendra