Tuning into creative Music again
Today I played Veena after a long time. I
have been suffering from peripheral neuropathy for the last 8 months and it cut
short my favorite activities and hobbies very much. That includes doing ‘Japam’
(chanting of Lord’s name or mantra) with Japamala (chain of beads), playing musical
instruments like Veena etc. Even my walking and climbing stairs – up or down – have
gone disarray. Medications have been working but rather slow. The initial
difficulty in holding a mobile and typing on laptop is reduced to some extent.
Today afternoon i.e.after lunch I took Veena in my hands and started playing. It was like swiping on the edge of a sword or razor blade. After initial disappointment and struggle I reduced the ‘shruti’ to lower pitch and tuned back. Comfort started after a little while albeit in a small way. As "Gamakam" was hard to achieve I restricted myself to playing smooth ragas and kirtans of Sri Thyagaraja without much nuance. I played the kirtans titled "Orachuputo.." "Mokshamu galada.." and "Chalamelara Saketa Rama.." as tears rolled down my cheeks. What a life I have been missing all these days! Kudos for Sri Thyagaraja. Kudos to my parents who initiated me into music and literature. Kudos to my Music College, Hyderabad and my Veena Guru late sri Pappu Someswara Rao. And Kudos to my spiritual Guru Mother KrishnaPriya giving me strength in life.
Sv
Today afternoon i.e.after lunch I took Veena in my hands and started playing. It was like swiping on the edge of a sword or razor blade. After initial disappointment and struggle I reduced the ‘shruti’ to lower pitch and tuned back. Comfort started after a little while albeit in a small way. As "Gamakam" was hard to achieve I restricted myself to playing smooth ragas and kirtans of Sri Thyagaraja without much nuance. I played the kirtans titled "Orachuputo.." "Mokshamu galada.." and "Chalamelara Saketa Rama.." as tears rolled down my cheeks. What a life I have been missing all these days! Kudos for Sri Thyagaraja. Kudos to my parents who initiated me into music and literature. Kudos to my Music College, Hyderabad and my Veena Guru late sri Pappu Someswara Rao. And Kudos to my spiritual Guru Mother KrishnaPriya giving me strength in life.
Sv
Bangalore; 28th December 2014.
