An international celebrity was recently asked: What comes to your mind when you think of India? Her reply was stunningly brief and truthful: Music and Food!
Music obviously is a powerful unifying force, bringing people together across boundaries of geography, religion and culture. When such music is spiritually elevating, the impact lasts longer. We were witness to this phenomenon when the Britten Sinfonia, an internationally celebrated ensemble, performed in Bangalore with Sarod Maestro Amjad Ali Khan and his two talented sons in a concerto.
Amjad Ali led from the front with Tagore’s “Jodi tor dak shune keu na ashe tôbe êkla cholo re” and Bapu’s favourite dhun ‘Vaishnav janato’. After a while, the melodious waves of thumris set to Raag Bhairavi and Khamaj swept everyone away.
Being my childhood inspiration, Tagore’s 'Ekla cholo re' is evergreen: “If they answer not to thy call, walk alone; if they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall, open thy mind and speak out alone. When you face storms of troubles, Darkness overpowers the truth, when the world bows to the fear, be the fire that lights up the darkened world while burning itself.”
The musicians’ tribute to founding fathers of our freedom couldn't have been better conveyed.
No comments:
Post a Comment