Sounds of Silence

A new post in the series - Light and Sound

When a picture searches for its music, or a piece of music finds its right picture...the result is a magical experience of Light and Sound. 

I think at various points in our lives we have all heard the sounds of silence. But have you heard silence speak like this? 

Jon Hassell,  Album: Last night the moon came dropping its clothes in the street

Tracks: Blue Period and Light on the Water

Jon Hassell, the American trumpet player and composer, gives a whole new sound to the silences in this piece of music. Don't you think so?

I was first introduced to his music through a World Music collaboration he had done about 15 years ago with the noted Indian bansuri player Pandit Ronu Majumdar and American guitarist Ry cooder. That album, titled Hollow Bamboo is a must-listen for all world music lovers. Two tracks from Hollow Bamboo were also featured on this blog, here and here.

But let's come back to the music for today. Listen to the sounds of silence in this piece of music. 

Listen to it again. And again. Can you feel the silence entering into you, deep? Doesn't it smoothly take you into that silent space where you are alone with yourself? Does it sound mysterious, hypnotic, a bit haunting even, but in a positive sense of the word?  

"...what I mean is that there is an inner condition in which the external form is not the most important thing; it is the origin of the music, the inspiration from beyond, which is important; it is not purely the sounds, it is what the sounds express." (The Mother)

What do the sounds of this music express for you? 

For me, the sounds also express what I see being expressed in this picture below: 

Photograh by Marataeman, Source

  

I can't tell you how many times I have looked at this picture in the last year or so, ever since I stumbled upon it on the net. There is something so inviting in this, something so quietly and silently inviting. Perhaps an invitation into the world of silence, into the sounds and sights of silence. 

Kind of like the music by Jon Hassell.

This one image made me curious enough to look up some more work by this brilliant photographer, and I find almost all of it so amazingly beautiful in its quiet grandeur and embracing vastness. Take a look, here and here.

I am always awed by the beauty of the experience, of the moment when sounds and sights come together in such perfect harmony. Such perfect silence.


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To see the previous post in the series Light and Sound, click here.
To see all the posts in this series, click here.

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Linking with Blog-a-rhythm, Wordy Wednesday, prompt: Shadows of Silence.

Be Still, My Heart...

A new post in the series - Light and Sound

When a picture searches for its music, or a piece of music finds its right picture...the result is a magical experience of Light and Sound. 

As the Northeast monsoon meets the Bay of Bengal, the rain gods have been showering upon us their bounty, sometimes a bit too excessively. But that's life, the good and the bad often come together. Though at the time we can't see the good in what appears as the bad. Or vice versa.

On this rainy, wet day my thoughts keep going back to last year's Diwali.

Much was happening with me on the emotional level because of things I could hardly control in any way. Or anyone else could. As the time passes, we slowly recognize that such life-experiences come to help us learn how to go with the flow of things and stay as calm as possible underneath all the turmoil on the surface.

Like the sea. All the surf is on the shore; as the eyes move farther and farther from the shore they see the sea in all its calm vastness. The mighty waves come one after another, hitting the shore and receding one by one, but all this activity is on the surface; in its deepest depths the sea remains untouched, calm.

Can I be like the sea? Can I be that still, deep within?

A calmness does descend when I listen to this calming composition from Pandit Ronu Majumdar, Ry Cooder and Jon Hassell, titled - Bay of Bengal. Appropriate for today.

Interestingly, when so much was happening on the surface during last year's Diwali and the days leading up to it, one thing that helped me stay grounded within was contemplating on the inner meaning of Diwali. What does this festival of lights really signify? One such contemplation expressed itself in these words:

Light the Inner Incense, the incense stick seems to say. Let those wanderings help uncover and reveal all that is dark, all that needs to be purified. Remember that only in the slow burning of the outer form the inner true purpose is lived out, the humble stick shows by example. Let the gradual unveiling of the outer layers help uncover and reveal the real reason for existence - to aspire toward Light, to spread Sweet Fragrance all around.

To read more of this contemplation, visit the post: Light an Incense

Image: one evening at home, Suhas Mehra

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To see the previous post in the series, Light and Sound, click here.
To see all the posts in the series, click here.

Music, Fast or Slow

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure and privilege of attending some amazing concerts by some of the leading lights of Indian classical music. These concerts were part of the the 2nd International Convention organized by SPIC-MACAY and held at Indian Institute of Technology, Madras.

While the whole experience of immersing into the vast and deep ocean of Indian classical music was magical, I wish to share through this and some follow-up posts a few key highlights that I personally found insightful and deeply satisfying.

Very briefly, founded in 1977, SPIC-MACAY (Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture amongst Youth) is a voluntary movement with a unique mission to provide Indian youth with a meaningful exposure to Indian cultural heritage through various forms of classical music, dance, theatrical arts, as well as a wide range of folk traditions in these art forms. They do this by organizing thousands of lecture-demonstration programmes throughout India at various colleges, universities, inter-college/university cultural festivals, as well as several higher educational institutions abroad. I have had the privilege of attending several such programmes in India and abroad.

A typical SPIC-MACAY lecture-demonstration is a bit more casual performance, with an aim to bring out some salient features about the particular art form for the specific purpose of facilitating some learning by the audience, especially the youth attending the programme. Before the performance, the performer generally gives a brief explanation about his or her specific art form and speaks directly to the young audience to engage them meaningfully in some of the nuances and unique aspects of the art form they are about to witness. Of course, each performer individualizes this approach based on his or her nature, style, the demands of the particular art form, the nature of the specific performance he or she is presenting, and many other factors. There is no one right formula. Quite Indian in a way :)

This time around, I attended only selected programmes at the SPIC-MACAY convention at IIT-M, as a member of general audience and not as a convention participant or delegate. But even in that very limited experience, I was very pleasantly surprised that each of the performances I attended brought home for the audience a unique aspect of Indian classical and folk traditions.

At the concert of Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, the great Mohan Veena player, we got to hear about the fact there is often a misconception among some Indian youth that Indian classical music is slow and therefore boring. Saying that while Indian classical music can match any other musical tradition when it comes to speed, Pandit ji made an important point that in Indian culture music has been considered a means to connect with the silence within. So its purpose is not to give the audience or musicians a "high" but rather to gradually facilitate a slowing down of their inner movements (thoughts, sensations, everything) and bring them to a place where they can experience a quietude within. And this led him to explain the role and significance of Ālap in a typical Indian classical music performance, both vocal and instrumental.

Accompanied by the noted Tabla player Pandit Ram Kumar Mishra, he then went on to demonstrate what he was explaining through his performance in which he mesmerized the audience, especially the young ones, by the great intensity and the high "speed" in some portions of his performance (after Ālap of course). If I remember correctly he played raag Maru Bihag for his main performance. But what I do remember very correctly is that the music was absolutely captivating and enthralling, to say the least.

He didn't seem to mind when the young audiences applauded and clapped in between to show their appreciation for the particular notes he played and the amazing skill with which he played them. This is an important point because such applause in the middle of Indian classical music performances is not considered appropriate, and there have been instances of performers getting very upset over such behaviour from the audiences. It seemed to me that he perhaps even played a bit to the young audiences when he saw them getting so enthused over his music.

But all this didn't take away anything from the key point he wanted to illustrate through his performance. That Indian classical music, despite its vigour and high energy, is primarily meant to help the listener and musician connect with something much more quiet within, more silent. And that's what this experience was for me. A few minutes into his performance, it seemed as if the audience didn't matter, the slightly uncomfortable chair didn't matter, and even the interruptions from the youngsters in form of applause didn't matter. The eyes were closed and it was only music. Only music.

Panditji concluded his performance with a track from his grammy-award-winning world music album, A Meeting By the River (with Ry Cooder). And of course the intensity of that piece enthralled the audiences, especially the younger ones who probably gained a new admiration, love and regard for their ancient heritage, their classical music which is as modern and new as anything can be. Timeless, really. What a great way to encourage youngsters to want to delve deep into the precious gems of their culture!

It is only appropriate to close this post with some music from the maestro. How about this? 

~ Pandit ji's photo by Suhas Mehra

Slowly, with Time

A new post in the series - Light and Sound

When a picture searches for its music, or a piece of music finds its right picture...the result is a magical experience of Light and Sound.

Source

I have been away for months. Time now to face the empty home. Without her. Alone after half a century, with lifetime of memories. The walls, the rooms shall speak loudly of last year, of her battle with the disease and her going. Sadness, anxiety, pain, worry, fear… yes, all these but something more. Something wordless. An emptiness that only time will fill. As only Time can.

Her words I remember - I am lucky, for I have faith.

Am I lucky too? To have such faith? Time alone will tell.

“Happiest who stand on faith as on a rock.”^***

Soul-soothing Music by Karunesh, Beyond Time

Linking this to Write Tribe 100 words on Saturday, 2014-7

*** A line from Sri Aurobindo's poem, Savitri, Book VIII, Canto III

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Previous posts in this series:

Please Be Kind             Eastern Light

Please Be Kind

A new post  in the series - Light and Sound

Source

The one-line description of this series, Light and Sound reads: When a picture searches for its music, or a piece of music finds its right picture...the result is a magical experience of Light and Sound.

And sometimes the right music also gives you the right title for the blog post! Like this one.

But wait, that's not all.

Sometimes the post also finds its appropriate day -- like what happened in the present case. Can anything be better than the message of 'Please Be Kind' on this day for celebrating love, Valentine's Day?

Honestly, I tell you I had bookmarked this picture of a heart-leaf several weeks ago and had also sort of forgotten about it. And it just so happened that a few days back I was browsing through the photo-folder on my computer while listening to some jazz music and when this wonderful track by Django Reinhardt came along it occured to me how well these two go together!

As if the sweet sounding message of kindness flowing from the music is somehow helping the lonely leaf stay on...just for a bit longer, and soon it shall have company. New leaves and shoots will start appearing on the branch. Spring is here. New life is already bursting forth. Please be kind to all life around. Thoughts like these started coming up as I kept putting this small piece of music on repeat...and the blog post came along. And already it was February 14th! Though I believe all days are days of love, or at least should be, but it doesn't hurt to have at least one day marked for celebration of love. So there you have it -- a valentine's day special post on this blog.

But something more about celebrating this day of love also comes to mind. This may not be a popular view, but let me say it anyway. Why go ga-ga over a bunch of exotic flowers transported from whoknowswhere using up so much petroleum and adding to the pollution along the way when all you need to do is gather a few flowers blossoming in your backyard or the neighborhood or even on the roadside? Or even a nice bunch of some green things will do if there are no flowers yet. Why add your bit to the mind-boggling Valentine's Day consumerism and make already-rich people richer when you can just stay at home and enrich your heart and soul with some beautiful music or an old favourite film?

Who wants diamonds that carry the invisible scars of blood spilled in some far away strife-torn part of the world when all you really need is to recall that the real jewel within, your heart, has an immense capacity for love and compassion if you just keep polishing it. Certainly there may be some achy-breaky type of experiences along the way, some bruises and scratches here and there, but then this is the way a diamond gets its shine and sheen.

So please be kind on this Valentine's Day and remember to give that diamond within a nice rub so that it shines anew. Celebrate love. Love for All, for Everything. 

For previous post in this series, click here. 

As I am about to click on 'Publish' it occurs to me that this post has also become a reminder to self. 

For more posts on Reminders to self click here.






Linking this Valentine's day special post to Write Tribe - The Language of Love

Two In One

A New Series: When a Picture Leads

Yes, another new series. Title is self-explanatory. So let me begin right away with the first post in this series.

Source

I found this picture on one of my surfing trips on the mighty Waves of the WWW. For a few minutes I just took it all in, all its beauty of the Movement and of the Stillness, of the Dance and the Dancer, of the Flow and the Repose. It reminded me of the well-known allegory from  Mundaka Upanishad. (Or is it a metaphor?) Anyway, most of you probably know this already or may have heard some version of it. I am speaking of the one about a tree and two birds. Sri Aurobindo has translated it as follows:

“Two birds, beautiful of wing, close companions, cling to one common tree: of the two one eats the sweet fruit of the tree, the other eats not but watches his fellow.

The soul is the bird that sits immersed on the one common tree; but because he is not lord he is bewildered and has sorrow. But when he sees that other who is the Lord and beloved, he knows that all is His greatness and his sorrow passes away from him.

When, a seer, he sees the Golden-hued, the maker, the Lord, the Spirit who is the source of Brahman, then be becomes the knower and shakes from his wings sin and virtue; pure of all stain he reaches the supreme identity.”

Are the two birds actually the same bird? Are they separate? Can the enjoyer become the observer? When? And how? What is the nature of the fruit of the tree that the bird is enjoying, and is the fruit separate from the bird? Separate from the one that is enjoying the fruit and separate from the one that is observing? Which is which? What is the subject, what is the object? Is object separate from the subject? Is reality separate from the experiencer? Who is the Experiencer? Who is the Witness? 

These are questions that are not simple, so naturally the answers for these are also not simple. Great minds in all cultures at all places at all times have asked these deeper questions and reveled in the mysteries of these unknowns and unknowables. Science too has been asking similar questions for some time now. 

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The seeking continues...

Somewhere through music, in music. As East and West harmonize into creating something new, something of the World, perhaps a New World.

Somewhere else a Sufi dances to this new-age fusion music of Guitar, Tabla and Bansuri, while another seeker on the other side of the planet contemplates on the "Real One" inside as she silently takes in the essence of a poem written by the Maha-yogi of Pondicherry.

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The Dual Being

There are two beings in my single self.

A Godhead watches Nature from behind

At play in front with a brilliant surface elf,

A time-born creature with a human mind.

Tranquil and boundless like a sea or sky,

The Godhead knows himself Eternity's son.

Radiant his mind and vast, his heart as free;

His will is a sceptre of dominion.

The smaller self by Nature's passions driven,

Thoughtful and erring learns his human task;

All must be known and to that Greatness given

  His mind and life, the mirror and the mask.

As with the figure of a symbol dance

The screened Omniscient plays at Ignorance.

~ Sri Aurobindo

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This is the Future World to aspire toward, the Future Society to hope for....a Future in which the inner seeking becomes a stepping stone for the outer exploration; a Future of Unity - Inner and Outer, which begins with recognizing the dualities within.

Eastern Light

A new series - Light and Sound

When a picture searches for its music, or a piece of music finds its right picture...the result is a magical experience of Light and Sound. 

Photo by Hengki Koentjoro, sourced from here

There is a certain mystical quality to the above picture, something about this skyline of grand temples and pagodas that seem to be reaching up to the infinite heavens above.

A few more silent minutes of contemplation reveals that the picture also speaks of a sense of deep awareness that the real infinity lies within, hidden between or behind or underneath light and shadow, clarity and obscurity, luster and dullness.

To me at least, in its own way this picture speaks of something very specific that emphasizes the uniqueness of the East, where the deepest inmost seeking has traditionally been the starting point for most of the outer action, including the building of massive structures where inner contemplation meets outer worship, with an aim to unite the worshipper, the act of worship, and the object of worship into One that is in fact Everyone and Everything.

In their own language of melody and notes, of sounds and silences, Pandit Ravi Shankar and Friends expressed a similar sentiment in their album East Greets East. The picture above seems to find its music in the following track...  

Don't the picture and the music go together well? I think so.

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Linked to ABC Wednesday: "E" is for East.

Of Opposites, Truths, and Totality

A new post in the series - Satyam Shivam Sundaram

A series featuring inspiring words from various sources, words that speak of timeless truths, words that remind me of the deeper and hidden truth behind surface events and phenomena, words that shine light when all seems dark, words that are just what I need - for this moment and for all times to come.

Layered - Photo by Suhas Mehra

I ended the very first post of this first month of the year with a sentence - "How interesting that Truth can be seen and expressed in so many different ways." And quite interestingly, and really without any deliberate thought and planning on my part, this last post of January 2014 is also turning out to be about the same Truth. As part of my teaching work, I was just re-reading and reflecting upon the following lines and a new blog post took birth.

Each idea (or system of ideas) is true in its own time and place. But if it tries to be exclusive or to persist even when its time is over, then it ceases to be true.

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 If any element of this totality is taken separately and affirmed as the sole truth, however central or comprehensive it may be, it necessarily becomes a falsehood, for then it denies all the rest of the total Truth. This is precisely what constitutes an indisputable dogma, and this is why it is the most dangerous type of falsehood, because each one affirms that it is the sole and exclusive truth. The absolute, infinite, eternal Truth is unthinkable for the mind which can only conceive that which is spatial and temporal, fragmentary and limited. Thus, on the mental plane, the absolute Truth is divided into innumerable fragmentary and contradictory truths which strive in their entirety to reproduce the original Truth as best they can — for each is a truth that attempts to affirm itself as the sole truth, to the exclusion of all the other truths, which, through their innumerable totality, express progressively in the becoming the Infinite, Eternal and Absolute Truth — that is how they deny the total Truth.

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The truth is neither in separation nor in uniformity.
The truth is in unity manifesting through diversity.

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Intellectually, the Truth is the point where all the opposites meet and join to make a unity.

~ Collected Works of the Mother, volume 14, pp. 197-198

How about contemplating a bit more on these words, but this time with some some soul-touching world music which also expresses this Truth of Unity Manifesting through Diversity in its own unique way. Like this one with bansuri by Pandit Ronu Majumdar, electric guitar by Ry Cooder and trumpet by Jon Hassell.

Click here for the previous post in this series.

New Beginnings

What a strange and difficult year it has been! On so many fronts, in so many ways. So many struggles, so many conflicts, so much uncertainty...and yet something deeper and higher kept guiding, showing the light, and holding the hand whenever required. Pain was immense, and yet Peace kept afloat in the middle of that turmoil. Much too much was lost, and yet so much was gained too through all this. Sweet and Bitter tastes of life got their due share of the pie, and Laughter and Sadness renewed their marital vows and agreed to co-exist. Through all of which Life offered in its onward march, much was learned and hopefully will continue to be assimilated and integrated within for inner growth and progress.

As this year ends and a new one begins, I wish to express gratitude for all the experiences and lessons Life brought me and pray for greater acceptance and inner balance.

Source

Common name: Begonia 

Spiritual Significance: Perfect Balance (One of the most important conditions of a growing peace.)

As I await new beginnings in the new year, my mind finds expression for its unspoken wishes in the following words of the Mother given to Her children as New Year Blessings...

May this year be a year of luminous peace in the joy that comes from 
true kindness—the human child of Divine Compassion.

Let us hope also that this year will not pass without bringing us together once more.

Let the dawn of the New Year be for us also the dawn of a new and better life.

...the New Year must dispel the smoke of ignorance and make the Light shine forth.

Collected Works of The Mother, Volume 15, pp. 181-182

And my heart finds solace in this soothing music by Pandit Ravi Shankar....

In anticipation of a new dawn of a New Year, with a prayer in the heart for greater peace and equanimity, and for Her Grace to help see things deeply and inwardly....

Wishing all my readers a Happy New Year.

Of Pots and Religions...with a bit of Santoor and Piano thrown on the Wheel

It is the multi-faceted diversity and complexity of human nature, temperament, and inner tuning that requires and also explains why different people need different ways or paths on their spiritual journey. Each religion has captured some essential aspect of the Great Truth and each has made some important contribution to the overall march of humanity. The Supreme Being and Nature will not want any uniformity; diversity is the principle of Truth. So there will always be diverse paths, diverse religions and diverse teachers of the Truth showing different ways to the Truth. 

Source

The quarrels of religious sects are like the disputing of pots, which shall be alone allowed to hold the immortalising nectar. Let them dispute, but the thing for us is to get at the nectar in whatever pot and attain immortality.

You say that the flavour of the pot alters the liquor. That is taste; but what can deprive it of its immortalising faculty? 

~ Sri Aurobindo

Source

Humanity’s response to a diversity of religions has either involved a sense of disharmony and conflict, or in more recent times, a somewhat more tolerant but often aimless, postmodern religio-moral relativism resulting in an ethical void. A deeper seeking for Truth however is surely and gradually compelling a growing section of humanity—and signs of this awakening are already there all across the world—to strive toward a greater harmony between the diverse religions and spiritual paths. 

This may be accomplished either through something like a world-religion which may attempt to synthesize the truths emphasized by different religions known to humanity but harmonized in the light of a greater Supramental Truth that has not been a part of any religion so far. Or through something that is sort of an a-religious spirituality that transcends all religions. In fact, the first may be a beginning step for the second, though there again the truth of diversity will remain. 

Perhaps some of the new-age world music is already showing us the way of such harmony...such coming together, such confluence...

Rahul Sharma, Santoor: Richard Clayderman, Piano

Music Unites, Inside and Out

A new post in the series - "All Music is Only the Sound of His Laughter."

Sometimes you come across a most beautiful musical gem in a rather forgettable film. This was the case for me with the following rendition of a shabad in the film, Halla bol.

In the recent years “Ik Omkar” which is part of the mool mantra of Sri Guru Granth Sahib also became a part of the popular Hindi film, Rang De Basanti. 

Even in their very contemporary renditions, these shabad gurbani are somehow able to express the eternal spirit behind them. Perhaps part of the reason may be that when working on such timeless hymns of devotion, faith and love for the Divine, the composers and singers are also able to get in touch with something eternal in them, something that is part of the Divine. 

I am reminded of a concert I attended in April 2006 at Miami University, Ohio in the US. This benefit concert was led by the talented and popular music composer, A. R. Rahman, and the performers included about 150 students from Global Rhythms Ensemble. Global Rhythms was launched in 1996 under the artistic direction and leadership of Mr. Srinivas Krishnan (an alumnus of Miami University). The program has “evolved from strong roots in India and her music, her musicians, her composers, and her people, all of which have enabled the ensemble to forge its inclusive and international identity… The musical creations of Global Rhythms are thus rooted in a community of performing artists and composers from across the world, particularly A.R. Rahman, who have donated their valuable efforts to keep the spirit of such harmonious bonds alive”. 

For this particular concert the students of Global Rhythms Ensemble and Srinivas Krishnan had chosen to perform selected compositions by Rahman, including a variety of Hindi, Tamil and Telugu songs. The performers were primarily American youngsters; there were a few Indian-American performers as well in the choir, who were either part of the university or local community. It was quite interesting, in a way, to see these young American kids enjoy performing Hindi or Tamil songs and really getting in the groove! The unifying spirit of music took over the whole concert hall - it was really a good way to witness a movement towards harmony.

But what really touched me was when the choir sang a beautiful Sufi prayer composed by Rahman (for the film, Bose: The Forgotten Hero). This was the first time I had ever heard this song, and was really moved by the atmosphere created during those few minutes.

After the performance Rahman told the audience that when he had first received the request from the students that they wanted to sing this song/prayer he didn’t initially agree to their request. His objection was that such a devotional and spiritual song can’t be performed like they would casually sing any other song. The performers had to somewhat prepare themselves to get in the right frame of mind and heart. Among other things this also required that performers must not consume any alcohol before or after the performance, they must not wear any footwear on the stage, and they must cover their heads. He told the audience that he was later informed by Srinivas Krishnan that all performers understood the value of all this preparation and complied with all of it, both for their rehearsals as well as for the show. Certainly during the show just before they sang the Sufi prayer, we witnessed all the performers getting off the stage for a few seconds to remove their shoes and wear a headscarf as they prepared to perform the song. Perhaps through this one seemingly small experience, some of these youngsters could also appreciate and might have even experienced a bit of the highest aim of music – to connect with the Divine. 

This episode may seem like a small thing to some people. But to me, this was a powerful example of the emergence of a new resolve in some sections of today’s young generation – no matter what their nationality or place of residence – to devote their energies toward meaningful and constructive ways which represent a movement toward harmony, mutual respect and unity, rather than fragmentation, disintegration and division. I may be idealizing this whole experience a bit, but then why should we not emphasize all the good that is happening around us? After all, the more positive and harmonious vibrations we can create around us, the more things begin to happen that are indeed positive and harmonious. 

The concert ended with Rahman leading the choir with one of his signature compositions - Vande Mataram, which again everybody on the stage sang with a great enthusiasm and feeling. 

Now that indeed is an unforgettable gem from a very forgettable film! 

Click here for the previous post in this series.