The song “Jai Ho!” from the movie “Slumdog Millionaire” seems to be a resounding success, winning not only the Oscar but the hearts of thousands of people. A lot of young people I know, who do not understand the Hindi lyrics, have nevertheless taken to the song. As Rahman himself said in an interview, the phrase “Jai Ho!” gives a burst of positive energy – probably why it became stupendously popular, even though we know it is not one of his best compositions.
Some songs have that magic – they come to mean so many things to us. Not just the lyrics, or the music, or the tempo; there seems to be an extra, magical ingredient that gives the song a special something. Something that lifts it from a musical composition of words, into a song that stirs emotions and feelings in us, a song that sometimes even brings solace to our wounded hearts, or makes us feel we are not alone.
There are many such songs that have come to mean a great deal to me – songs that have helped me face difficult situations, songs that have helped me understand life. Probably because so many memories are connected to these songs, even today when I listen to them, those emotions come flooding back.
One song that kept me going during the two and a half months that I lived in Bombay alone was from the movie “1942 – A Love Story”. My husband was in Chennai, and my little daughter was with my parents in Coimbatore. I had to stay back in Bombay to finish my thesis, and every evening I would come back home to an empty flat. The loneliness was terrible, and there were times when I would feel like throwing up everything and running home to my family. Only the thought of chucking up all the hard work kept me from doing it. That, and the song "Yeh safar bahut hai katin magar/ Na udhaas ho mere hamsafar”. I listened to it so many times during the day, over and over again, especially the lines “Nahi rehenewale yeh mushikilen/ Hai yeh agale mod pe manzilen”.
And yes, the destination was just around the corner; I only had to keep going till I reached it.
I find I listen to different kinds of music at different times, to suit different moods. But when I am really down in the dumps, I go back to classical music. I need the strains of Carnatic kritis to calm me down, or to lift up my spirits. One of my favourite kritis is the beautiful “Rangapura Vihara” in Brindavanasaranga. I have listened to it since childhood, and MS’s beautiful soulful voice only added to the magic of the song. It has the power still, to lift me up from the darkest depths. Many other kritis are also important to me and although I do not always understand the words, the music or the raga lifts my spirit.
That is why I feel it is not just the music or the lyrics, but a certain something, a special ingredient, which gives these songs a magical allure that they may continue to weave their spell on us.
6 comments:
Yes, you're so right. Music has that magic to uplifts our spirits. Some compositions which are just instrumental, can touch a deep chord within and take you to a whole new world. They can provide a tremendous boost of inspiration, make your hairs stand on end. 'Mile sur mera tumhara...' if you remember. And the music that played in the background as our sportsmen carried the olympic torch--wayback in the late eighties--Unforgettable.
Some songs are wonderfully entwined with certain memories--listen to them and you're transported back in time. Music is truly the language of the soul
Yes, indeed music is the language of the soul which is why we respond to it at such a deep level. i remember vividly "Mile sur mera tumhara..." and the background music. It was so beautiful, and as you said, inspiring.
Yes, and i believe there are some songs which are especially relevant at certain times in your life and certain moods. I have what i call the anthems at any given point of time - and those are the ones which will play in my head in loop mode - could be inspiring, could be philosophical. but i think something reverberates.
Cynic, so true! I have these anthems too, going on and on in my head...and you are right about them being relevant at certain times in your life. Later, maybe, you may not feel the same emotion,it may no longer be relevant to your situation, but the memory lingers.
Music is what makes life tick for me. I turn to music when I'm sad or happy. I turn to music when I lose or win. I turn to music when I feel philosophical. I turn to music when I feel spiritual. Like you said, there are songs to go with every moods of ours. So life is just music for me.
During those times when I feel deserted and lonely, it's music that gives me company - they uplift my spirits. They tell me I'm not alone.
Beautiful poetry in songs inspire me. Sometimes they express feelings for me - I become a poet through them. I express happiness through them. And when I want to cry, they help me with that too! What better than expressive songs for a process of catharsis.
Quite a number of songs inspire me with messages on life and spirituality. I often listen to songs on the nature of our true self - they keep me in check in this material world.
And yes, there are the retros that bring back sweet memories of 'those' good old days. I just relive my school and college days with them.
You said it right Meena, it's not just the music or lyrics, but something beyond that, that moves us. Can I say that special ingredient is divinity? God gave us music so that our souls could be touched.
"God gave us music so that our souls could be touched." - how true! Thank you, Joshi.
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