Magic of Music

As soon as we were seated in the car my daughter insisted on starting on music immediately. I was amused and happy that some things pass on naturally. Since my childhood my day has started and ended with music. My early memories are of a big rectangular National Panasonic radio cum tape recorder. Mornings at home use to begin with Akashvani signature tunes. Both parents being fond of music and films, we had a huge collection of cassettes from maestros like Kishore kumar,Mohd rafi,Lata Mangeshkar,Pt Bhimsen Joshi,Pt Jitendra Abhisheki. I remember listening to their songs in evenings, being an integral part of our routine. As we grew so did our collection. On television there was only Doordarshan at that time. So only audio of songs were enjoyed .Later with cable connection along with audio I started enjoying visual treat.

At that time we used to have weekly satsang at my nani’s place. Listening and watching all ladies sing beautiful bhajans with harmonium and tabla in background is an experience treasured till date. In school too we used to look forward to our music class and annual day practice. Listening and selecting best song for performance used to be a crucial activity every year. My grandpa was an amazing singer. Whenever he used to visit us, our mornings were filled with different forms of natysangeet(drama music).During my teens I was a book worm and very studious. I dint do any extracurricular activity for many years in a row. But at that time this music came to my rescue from monotony. My mother gifted me a small personal radio cum cassette player in my 10^th standard, one of my most precious gifts. I was so delighted. This player and the songs were my companion for years.

Music has created a strong impact on most of my activities since then. I have experienced my behaviour and my efficiency being influenced by music. Every milestone, every event in my life is being associated with some or the other song. The habit of listening to songs is perpetual.

Today when I turn on music some old songs remind me of school days, some of time spent with my besties, some remind me of my good results in exams, some of my first crush , some of time I started reading novels like  M&B and Sidney Sheldon. .some remind me of gruelling schedules during my training during ca education. Some songs remind of evenings when I use to come back home and mother used to be waiting with some hot tea and yummy snacks. Some songs are very dear since they were enjoyed during my courtship period.There are some songs which I enjoyed listening with my hubby and then came some songs which my daughter started enjoying.Certain songs were required to be played again and again on insistence of my little princess. All these songs have become an integral part of my life.

Our generation has seen advancement from small cassette players to CD players to Bluetooth to wifi players. We have enjoyed recording favourite songs from radio on tapes .I remember small plastic cassette covers being replaced by big ones when Roja movie and  AR Rehmaan came. Watching music channels has been my favourite time pass since years together. A good music app on my mobile is indispensable.

Medium may be any but music has constantly been there. Life’s journey till date has been cherished because of music in life. Being married in a family of music lovers and musicians has been an icing on cake. I have seen musical gettogethers being medium of family bonding. There is nothing more refreshing than a long drive with good music. Music is definitely therapeutic. Music gives mental and emotional peace .It is always a source of energy and zeal in life .Listening to songs gives a different high in life. I feel People around us keep on changing but music remains same. It’s like a pillar we can rest on anytime. Right from romantic to Ghazal to Sufi to party songs, all add different flavours to life. Listening and dancing to a dhinchak song is equally fulfilling experience like listening to soft melodious harmony.

Plato has rightly said,

“Music  gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind,flight to the imagination and life to everything.”

Go Goa

Last week we celebrated our anniversary at Goa .This was our third trip to Goa in eleven years. Our work schedules don’t permit us to plan holidays often. Still then we have visited Goa so many times. One of my friends was wondering what’s so special in Goa. We can explore new locations instead. There is something special about Goa which makes us go there again and again. I guess no other place can refresh us in 2-3 days as much as Goa does. We have all options of reaching Goa..car ,bus, train or flight..That makes it really easily accessible even if it’s a last minute plan. Once you are near Goa you can feel the charm the magic in air..Small roads having so many twists and turns ..after every turn you get to see beautiful picturesque nature..sometimes view of sea ,sometimes beautiful coconut trees or sometimes just plain fields with Christian cross in between..

Goa is not just one place, its a blend of so many variety of beaches, places, cuisines, languages and cultures .Every beach has its own charm. Every shore has sand which is different in colour..some have rocks.some have height,some are deep ,some are crowded.some are blissful..but what’s special is all are beautiful..

The sea ,the water is same at all beaches..but what interests me is sea shows its different form at every beach..sometimes its playful, sometimes its violent, sometimes it seems angry ,sometimes its cheerful. When we are drenched at beach we can feel the sea and sky meeting and culmination of two unending worlds.i guess heaven is what it is..Sunset at all beaches gives peace beyond words..the mesmerising view surely is a mental relief to all hardworking souls..

Another fascinating thing is options available for all. From one star to five star you can choose from array of residence options. Every alternate place is a restaurant or food joint. I guess no other place in India must be offering so many cuisines at so less intervals Lavish restaurants, cosy cafes, beach shacks, small joints and so on.. most of them are open throughout the day.Also the ease of commuting is a great relief .If you don’t want to feel confined and want to save on ,rented bikes are easily available. What is surprising is petrol is sold freely in bottles at local shops  unlike in our city where there is so much restriction. Everyone enjoys there with the bikes. Single roads full of bikes. People are free there. I love the way people drop their inhibition in Goa whether its clothing, lifestyle , food or drinking habits.

People seem relaxed and at their own pace. No one is in hurry .Unlike other tourist places there are not many spots to see and very much less commercialisation. So you are not tortured by tourist guides. One can easily visit the famous churches, forts and markets. There are so many entertainment options for all. Water sports, nightclubs, danceparties, casinos ,cruise trip..if with children we can enjoy boat ride,swimming,beach games..so we get never bored. what I love is just passing time under sun at beach doing nothing but feeling the water and breeze.

The happiness and the enjoyment of people around instills strong feeling of positivity. The aura of Goa is energising. Peace,fun,beauty,adventure,music,dance,food, is what Goa all about..2 days or 2 weeks ..Goa is always a breezer for tired souls. So I always say GO GOA!!!!