The Music Of My Heart

… A faint tune was playing in the background while I was writing this piece. An elegant, eloquent instrumental, maybe from the classics of one of Bollywood’s finest era- the 80’s. While the composers marvellously strummed a popular “Oh mere sona re” on their Sarod, the bass was a soft Carnatic raga that faintly echoed its presence through a Flute. Though this “jugalbandi” of instruments could easily have been called outdated by many, the fact is that all the current pieces of music that contain “vibe” and cause a ravishing trot of outrageous hip- shaking trace their roots to these old melodious classics.

Evolution has been gradual. It has been proven, that every species grows with certain characteristics of the ancestors of that particular Genus. Man for instance is an apt way to look at this balanced equilibrium of evolution. Each one of us is born with an individual identity but deep down inside, the blood running in our veins can be traced down distant generations of our families.

Similarly, the music we listen to today has been influenced in some or the other way by the past. A Veena has now taken the form of a Guitar that plays just the same notes, in a wider range of octaves to produce luring sounds that are capable of rocking concerts! Why then doesn’t the audience get driven into frenzy when a Veena or any other instrument (that shimmers in its antiquity) has effortlessly been played in an equally difficult composition of notes???

The answer- “Such instruments are outdated!”

Well, there may be many who still support the golden prevalence of these antique instruments; I too wouldn’t shudder to say I am part of those who do, but the fact remains that majority of the audiences prefer the newer, more modern instruments for some apparent reason unknown to me (even as I am trying to make up something…)

While many may argue, it all boils down to a matter of interests, may I ask why this interest for ancient Indian pieces has diminished to such a extent that people who listen to it religiously are looked down upon or are called “outdated listeners?”

Guys, if it wasn’t for these classical compositions, how would this new generation of “Aashiq- Banaya- Aapne” or “Shakalaka- Boom- Boom” or “Jhalak dikhala- ja” have evolved for that matter. (So Mr. Himesh Reshamiya, be thankful to the ancient composers of classical music for providing you a vivid selection of tunes to test your utterly nasal tone in…!)

PS1- this article has nothing to do with the fact that I am part of a secret classical music-promoting cult (Indian music specialisation).

PS2- is Shakalaka Boom Boom the story of a deranged, mutant test tube baby????