Music, the Harmony of Life
< Music, the Harmony of Life Music is the harmony of the universe in a microcosm for this harmony is life itself. In man, who is himself a microcosm of…
What enhances the aural appeal – Words or Music?
Written by : Chitra Sri Krishna I’ve always believed that music transcends boundaries—of culture, language and religion. Which is why Pavarotti singing Verdi’s Rigoletto moved me despite my utter ignorance…
Art and science for Nadopasana
Carnatic music, like most other music systems of the world, has two dimensions: an emotional dimension and an intellectual dimension. The emotional dimension is supported by the melodic system, which…
Sankeerthana for Salvation
Expressing devotion through bhakthi is a well-known Hindu tradition. Bhakthi is love, attachment, and dedication to a personal god. However, bhakthi also implies that a bhaktha (a devotee) will strive…
Divya Nama Kirtanas – A Bhajana Tradition
“I dwell not in Vaikunta, norin the hearts of great Yogis; Of the Nava Vidha Bhakthis or the Nine Paths of Devotion to Godhead, perhaps the best understood, widely practiced,…
Sangeetha and Bhakthi
Sangeetha and bhakthi should be acquired and practiced with humility. Genuine humility brings with it detachment, suppression or conquest of the baser instincts of Man and, ultimately, the annihilation of…
Music with mistakes
“Many performers have been performing Bach for years without experiencing for themselves the deepening that Bach is capable of bringing out in any true artist. Most of our singers are…
Music, the food of love & and war?
Music producer-turned-neuroscientist Daniel J Levitin appears to think so. In his latest book, The World in Six Songs: How the Musical Brain Created Human Nature, he discusses how music has…
Carnatic Music – Lyrics or Musical Experience?
In December, I took my annual pilgrimage to Chennai to attend the concerts and lecture-demonstrations that take place during the music season. In at least two of the lecture demonstrations,…
Demystifying Carnatic Music and Widening the Rasika Base
‘Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard are sweeter.’ —John Keats Over the years, Carnatic music scholars, as well as critics, have written about the declining interest among the younger…