'Kavya shastra vinodakalok gacchate dhimata .........It is a sign of intelligent person that he devotes his time to music, art, scriptures, poetry, wit and meditation.' So spake Sri Sri Ravishankar, a spiritual master and humanitarian from India, at Brahmnaad, a grand symphony of 1200 sitarists held on 21st November, 2008 in Delhi. It was perhaps the first time that so many sitarists played the instrument together and the event is expected to find a place in the Guinness book of records.
Music has been known to be an integral part of all traditions over the world. One reason for this is that our musical roots run deep: even before our ancestors could speak, they probably sang to one another. Now neuroscientists are working on a theory that music has been central to the evolution of the modern mind. If they are right, it will strengthen the hands of those who want music to be more central in fields from education to therapy.
'Both, music and spirituality bring harmony in life. Meditation brings silence within and brings music from the soul. Whereas, good music brings calmness to the mind, and gives rest and strength to the body,' said Sri Sri Ravishankar at whose inspiration the grand symphony was organised by the Art of Living Foundation. His emphasis on 'good' music is worth noting. It has been known that music shapes the brain just as the brain shapes what it recognizes as music. It implies that musical preferences may determine many of the human traits and even our values !
Brahmnaad apparantly was an attempt to revive the tradional sitar a plucked stringed musical instrument, originating from the lute family. The music of the sitar has charmed audiences for hundreds of years. As the leading stringed instrument of pre-Islamic India, the sitar was a common element of religious festivals in India. Sitar’s origin lies with other stringed instruments, one of them being the Veena, a fretted stringed instrument popular in ancient India. The Veena was said to have been played by Saraswati, the Indian Goddess of Music and Learning. The sitar may also be an off-shoot of another stringed instrument, the “tanbur.” This long-necked lute played a crucial role in Medieval Muslim cultures.
Listening to the 1200 sitars playing together was no less than a spiritual treat. It was an experience that will remain with me for a long time to come.
'When so many sitars play at the same time, it is not just sound ( naad ), it is divine melody - Brahmnaad,' said Sri Sri Ravishankar.
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Quite true. Listening to 1200 Sitarists was a Spiritual treat. Further, the presence of our beloved Guruji made the whole event a divine experience. Simply watching those Sitarists sitting together on a huge stage was stunning. Guruji urged that one member from each family should learn one of the Indian classical instruments to keep the Indian classical music alive for future generations.
ReplyDeleteTruly an experience never had before,felt like heaven.The symphonies played by the sitarist in presence of guru g were amazing & as guru g said that Brahmnaad is within us made me feel like going deep within myself so that i can listen to this sound within me.
ReplyDeleteA extract from what Guru ji has said on Brahmnaad :
ReplyDeleteBoth, Music and spirituality bring harmony in life. Meditation brings silence within and brings music from the soul. Whereas, good music brings calmness to the mind, and gives rest and strength to the body.
It has always been my liking to make the impossible, possible. Whenever I said, that many Sitars will be played simultaneously, people always told me, that is impossible…it can never happen. I said, “The power of Yog makes possible what seems impossible.â€
When so many sitars play at the same time, it is not just Sound ( Naad ), it is Divinity - Brahmanaad.
We are a nation of a billion people. We should be able to find 1000 sitar players from within Delhi . But this did not happen. We had to search for them from all over India and bring them together. This shows that we have ignored our music and culture. We are not giving as much importance and priority as it deserves.
So, through this programme, we get this message, that we should encourage our children to learn Indian classical music. We will make our culture glow brighter. We want to keep our classical music alive. Today, we can see here, people of all age are present, from a 6 year old child to a 77 year old scholar.