A cup of Music , a Gallon of Life- Classical Music is for everyone
Written by : Nithya Rajendran , a dual Indian Classical vocalist in Hindustani and Carnatic music with over 3 decades training . She is founder and curator of Music Vruksh , an initiative to spread awareness and appreciation of Inidan Classical music for its aesthetic , spiritual , wellness and transformative potential .
Whenever we feel stressed out or anxious , the wisest of the wise have told us to resort to the healing powers of nature . We see the stamp of this healing power show itself across a variety of things . A walk in moist dewy grass is a simple yet powerful stress buster . A beautiful sunrise , the smell of earth from the first rain of the monsoon , the burst of colors from a rainbow , sight of the vast limitless ocean - one can go on and on about aspects of nature that are healing .
Does enjoying nature require any specific qualifications or eligibility ? Does a person who partakes of nature ’ s bounty need to be well-versed iin biology or environmental sciences ? Is nature partial to those from a particular class or social strata ? The answer is an unequivocal ‘ no ’. Because Mother Earth provides unconditionally to every living being which is born from her womb . Indian classical music is no different .
Indian classical music has organic roots . It is said that Raag Malhar was composed by Miyan Tansen when he heard the sound of some animals imitating the Komal and Shuddh Nishaad , or Kaisiki and Kakali
Nishadam as the notes are referred to in Carnatic music . There is numerous evidence of how the sounds of animals and birds gave rise to the seven notes of the classical music system . These organic roots give classical music its powerful healing and spiritual nature . Indian classical music is innately relatable because of the ability of Raagas to create and resonate with different moods of human beings . Just as with nature , therefore , classical music is there for everyone to access , if only the awareness were to be there .
There have been numerous accounts of lay persons with no initiation into classical music feeling moved by , healed by and touched by Raagas . One such example is of a woman with severe migraine miraculously healed after sitting in on her daughter ’ s classical music class . Another is that of a domestic worker with no exposure to classical music who accompanied a child to a concert , who broke down in uncontrollable tears to Raag Nand and felt a cathartic release of emotions . The example of a chain smoker who quit smoking six months into learning classical music is no less compelling .
The organic nature of classical music and these anecdotes only strengthen the argument for mak-ing Indian classical music accessible and available to everyone . It is a noble goal that classical musicians can and should work towards . It ’ s about time that Indian Classical music becomes inclusive , demystified and accessible to one and all . Because every human being on this planet de-serves the gifts that classical music can give . Gifts that are as generous , boundless and loving as mother nature herself .
The Score Magazine
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