Indan Music Experience – country’s first and only Music Museum opened at Bangalore

Those familiar with the likes of Grammy Museum in LA may find the Indian Music Experience (IME) offering a much wider, exciting coverage of rich musical traditions. It is an interactive, educational experience of the historical evolution of Indian music across regions with contributions from celebrated composers and performers. A couple of hours spent here to fathom the journey of Indian music from ancient to modern, leave us with a sense of pride.

The Sound Garden at the site is the icing on the cake. For e.g. when you hum into the cave (pic) and adjust the pitch to full resonance, you can feel the vibrations through the body!

As we were stepping out, we captured a profound verse from Gulzar!

Thiru aadipuram

Sri Andal,the celebrated Saintess of the 8th century rendered outstanding hymns called Tiruppavai. These are today widely recited in India in festivals, temples and at royal ceremonies in Thailand and Cambodia as well. Our Satsang was part of the festival at the birth place, heralding her birth.

Following sampler brings forth the universal appeal of Goda Upanishad:

“We sing the name of the magnanimous

Rain it shall, pour country over

Thrice monthly with no despair;

Shall facilitate tall growth of fine paddy crop.

Carp to jump amidst like aquabatic feat,

Spotted bee to perch on lily fair and 

Donor cows to stand still, with udders thick,

Allow milking to fill vessels copious;

To ordain never vanishing wealth bounteous.”

“It would seem as if Sri Andal was the natural culminating point for the mounting flame of the soul's devotion” – wrote Sri Aurobindo. Always inspiring to hear Tiruppavai chants at Sri Sri Gurukul, Bangalore in the presence of the Master.