Despite the constant reported violence, I have never seen such serenity and peace. There was no street violence, no gang fights, no petty thefts, to snatch thieves, despite widespread poverty.
Besides a degree and a handful of experiences, I've brought back some Indian culture which will forever be engrained in my life.
Most importantly is the music. I simply love Indian classical music. Some of the grandmasters in Indian classical music, like Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia with his Bansuri,an Indian flute, Ustad Zakir Hassein with tabla, Ravi Shankar with Sitar, Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt with his self created musical instrument, a modified guitar to be played in a sliding manner, called Mohan Veena.
One thing leads to another, I became almost possessed listening to their harmonious music that seemed to speak to your senses, almost immediately calms you down. Your senses heightens, yet peaceful. Your heart beats faster, yet calmer.
Those 5 1/2 years are the most peaceful, self soul searching, and exciting times of my life. Despite all the exams, I've never felt so free, like a caged bird being freed to explore the surrounding, likewise, it was a time of soul searching, and self realization for me.
Indian classical music was the medium in which my inner consciousness transcends all material worldly desires, and yearned for something more spiritual, something more satisfying.
The highlights of my 5 1/2 years of studying isn't just the graduation, but the rare once in a lifetime to attend a live performance of Grammy Award winner Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt. His musical style touches your senses like a hand pierced through your chest and grab your heart with a grip.
I was just sitting few meters away from the alleviated stage. Every single minute that passed by was dreamy,felt so unreal to be in the presence of a great, Indian icon in classical music. I was the the only foreigner there, and remembered very well I was accompanied with with a very close friend of mine who plays the tabla. Only a classical music lover/player/student appreciates the significance and beauty of such sense heightening, mind freeing, emotionally charged music.
Soon, I've discovered fusion music. Iconic musician including John McLaughlin instantly became one of my favourite, which a combination of a power packed Indian classical iconic musicians, Ustad Zakir Hussein, and Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Shakti was formed. (Shakti in Sanskrit means power)
2 timeless albums that i bought was a 2 CD live album, and Mind Ecology.
Close your eyes while listening to the fantastic sound as it assails to your senses. You could almost feel the violin talking to you.
Mind Ecology is an album where each and every songs need to be listened with your eyes closed, but your mind wide open, and you'll soon find yourself possessed with the sound of the Bansuri, tabla, violin, Veena, and guitar, your finger dances and head bobbling with the tunes of such rich music that seemed to communicate to you like non others.
To Nick, who is a student currently studying in Manipal, and regular visitor of my blog, if you are reading this, please do not miss out on these beautiful things in life. The moment you leave India for good, you'll never able to experience the wonderful life you have in India.
Mind is filled with contemplation, questions that yearns answer on the significance of our presence in this vastness of space,what role do we play in this cosmic drama.
The once in a lifetime opportunity to visit one of the seven wonders of the world is something which seemed too god to be true, yet the memories of it stayed vivid at the back of my mind.
4 comments: