Novelist George Eliot said, “I think I should have no other mortal wants if I could always have plenty of music. It seems to infuse strength into my limbs and ideas into my brain.”
Music rushes to fill our lonely spaces, leaving us significantly altered for the better. Such is the power of music that it calms the body, enlivens the mind, sharpens the intellect and uplifts the soul. Though we instinctively recognise it as a force in its own right, it is the gentleness in music that beckons us first. American writer John Erskine said, “Music is the only language in which you cannot say a mean or sarcastic thing.”
Great musicians have variously described music as prayer, worship or as conversations with the divine. Blessed are the musical geniuses in our midst, for they are that much closer to God. Aldous Huxley’s brilliant definition comes to mind: “After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.”
Teachers use music to quieten their pupils, while parade instructors’ employ rousing music to spur their marching cadets on. Animals respond to music too: when Krishna played the flute, he left the birds and animals of the forest entranced.
There is a time, a place and an occasion for some kinds of music, like devotional or orchestra music. On the other hand, all times are good times for music that spontaneously springs from the heart, like the lullaby of a mother or the bathroom singing of a carefree youth. The pleasure we receive from listening to and practising music is immeasurable. Only one syllable distinguishes the Sanskrit word raagam (melody) from rogam (disease). The lack of raag (musical joys) is likely to induce rog (disease and suffering).
The curative property of the ragas in Indian classical music lies in the resonant quality of the notes which impact the body and mind through mysterious processes not yet fully understood by man. The famous ragas Bhimpalasi and Hindol are known to alleviate hypertension. Other ragas have properties that relieve depression, headaches and even abdominal pain.
The Ramayan has many references to music and melodies. The Devas in Indra’s heaven are surrounded by musical beings like the Gandharvas and Kinnaras who strum soulful tunes on their lutes and sing flawless hymns in praise of the Supreme Being. When instrumental notes mingle with mellifluous voices lifted skywards in song, words cease to matter. There is instant tranquillity, akin to an oasis of calm in a desert of cacophony. Music is thus food and therapy, as well as activity and recreation.
For any news that brings us joy, we have the perfect expression: “music to your ears.”
Links:
[1] http://archive.asianage.com/raji-p-shrivastava-387
