What would your life be like without music?
Music has a profound significance in human life. It plays an essential role beyond basic needs like food, shelter, and clothing. The natural harmony found in nature is like musical notes, and the rhythmic sounds of Nature are soothing. The historical and cultural roots of music span from ancient traditions to modern times. It showcases music’s impact on emotions, cultural practices, and social gatherings. Music can relieve stress and enhance life quality. Thus, it is a vital, enriching part of existence.
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- Music holds profound significance in human life, impacting emotions, cultural practices, and social gatherings.
- Despite basic needs like food, shelter, and clothing, humans require music for a fulfilling life.
- The perception of sound varies based on mood, revealing music’s emotional influence on individuals.
- In India, music is integral to festivals, ceremonies, and film, reflecting cultural traditions and values.
- Music serves as a healer and source of comfort, demonstrating its positive effect on well-being and productivity.
Is Music Important?
Is music important and powerful enough? Can it take the juice of life out of the body if it is not there? Well, some will vouch for it, while others argue it otherwise. There are many views and counter-views. Beliefs and non-beliefs, likes and dislikes all play a role, pushing the genuine answer about the power of music.
Harmonious Melody
While on a trek, he passed through several picturesque spots, eye-catching waterfalls and many colourful singing birds. He perceived a harmony in them. That harmony appeared like pieces of music to him. He would instantly ask himself if it really was music? He would see the river gushing in the canyon several feet below the dirt path he was trampling. The sound of the gushing river was akin to a loud roar as it moved along its course. Yet, its sound never seemed like a cacophony. The roaring river and cascading falls appeared in a harmonious melody. They were in symphony, making a sweet and melodious orchestra. Such is the power of music.
Perception Of Sound Is Mood Dependent
Tintinnabulation from temples, churches and the like is not harsh. They are symphonic and follow a pattern. Any sound that follows a pattern seems melodious. Perception of sound waves is, nevertheless, mood-dependent. The power of music casts a dramatic effect on individuals or masses. A tingling bell sound arouses devotion in a temple or a call for mass in a church. While the war bell adds dread, it seems to stir adrenaline in the veins when sounded on the battlefield.
Besides Basic Needs What?
An organism needs food, the basis of life. The second priority, after fulfilling the food need, is a secure place to rest and sleep. Humans usually call it their home. Lastly, as a civilised creature, humans need to cover their bodies. While the body cover protects from various ailments, ticks and mites, it also gives protection from harsh weather conditions. Thus, the three basic things, viz, food, shelter and clothing, are the basic needs of an organism (and human beings). Is it enough in life? Certainly not, particularly for human life.
Human Brain Is Powerhouse Of Ideas
(i)Music Is The One
A highly developed, complex brain, differentiating humans and distinguishing them from other animals, is the gift of Nature to humans. They can use reasoning and logic to reach a conclusion. This is the thing that does not let humans sit idle. What happens after fulfilling the three basic needs? This brought the idea of inventing and creating new things. The leisure time allowed humans to think about their existence, the universe and various happenings around them. That led him to many new things. Among them, one was the music. Later, humans realised the power of music.
(2) Human Learned to produce Sound
Cascading falls and rippling rivers have a rhythm. This rhythm distinguishes their sound from others. A random loud sound sans rhythm is a harsh cacophony. Contrary to it, a rhythmic sound has a soothing effect. Humans gradually learned to make sounds with various objects. They used a clay pitcher, partially filled saucers, bamboo, and even a metal can. Using these instruments, humans tried to create symphonic sounds. By persistent practice, improvement and improvising, they developed progressively more refined percussion instruments. It helped humans to recreate themselves. Soothing musical sounds gave them happiness and joy.
(3) Goddess of learning
Music, philosophy, logic and science became the hub of human life. The invention of languages and writing probably gave them impetus. They were capable of expressing their thoughts, and keeping them for future use became easy. In the Sanatan tradition, Goddess Saraswati is the superintending power of learning and knowledge. Goddess Saraswati sits on a white lotus, wrapped in a white Sāri, playing the Veena.
(4) Vedic hymns
Music played a vital role in human lives. Vedic hymns, especially of the Sāmveda, were created to sing. Sāmveda is musical. It is considered the origin of Indian classical music. The hymns were sung on special liturgical occasions. Various musical instruments, especially the Sitār and Veena, were used.
Music Is A Prime Mover
The power of music is ubiquitous. It has been a prime mover in temples since ancient times. Devotional songs were sung in the Mandapam/Mahamandapam of a temple as special prayers. Sometimes dance performances were also organised in honour of deities. It was, and still is, an inseparable part of human lives.
(1) Village folks and music
Rustic people would sing songs in vernacular language, which gradually became a tradition and part of culture. In marriage ceremonies, singing songs by women is supposed to be an auspicious moment. In Ramcharitmanas, Tulsi Das has vividly described it in Bal Kand. Women were singing melodious traditional songs in chorus in the marriage ceremony of Lord Ram and his brothers.
Music Plays Important Role
Due to its power and impact, music is crucial in the Indian ethos and plays an important role. People sing and dance on every occasion. It is linked with festivals and worship. During the festive seasons of Durga Puja, musical reciting of hymns is a common feature. During Holi, people gather and collectively sing songs known as Phāg. It is linked with festivity and celebration.
Music and Film
The Indian film industry popularised folk music. Based on light music, film songs are easy to sing and have a wide public appeal. They were used to arouse patriotic feelings during the freedom struggle. The devotional and patriotic songs were primarily sung in films. Initially, the song recording was a very ticklish and cumbersome job which gradually became precise, exact and fast. It became easy with the technological advancement.
(i) Film Music and Urdu Poetry
Inclusion of Urdu words in film songs gave them a new look. The songs started becoming more romantic and descriptive. The use of refined words, perfectly stringed with musical notes and sung by a maestro, started gaining popularity. Films with several melodious songs were instant hits. The Urdu poetry, with classical use of refined words, conveyed the message beautifully. It was a formula to guarantee a film’s success during the olden period. This was especially true in the decades of the sixties and seventies.
(2) Light Music
The popular songs soon occupied the core area of public life. Even today, the old film songs are very popular and are being played on the radio at the public’s demand. Popular or light music (Sugam Sangeet) is a popular genre. Apart from popular film songs, various forms are performed by people of all genders alike. These include Bhajan, Kajri, Tappā, and Birhā, et cetera. It has thus become ingrained in people’s psyches.
Music Has A Positive Effect
Increasing technological advancement has made music easily accessible even on the go. Most people consider it a favourite pastime. It has become a vogue to boast of being a “music buff”. Besides entertaining, music acts as a big healer. Though not perfectly established, it is a common perception that even plants have a positive effect of music on them. It is said that crop production can be increased by playing music before a field with crops.
(1) Effects on crops
Well, whether it has an effect on crops or not is a matter of further research. Nevertheless, music has a positive effect on plants and animals. The famous logo of HMV (His Master’s Voice) depicting a dog sitting in front of a gramophone testifies to it. Its effect on humans is invigorating. Above all, human beings are more affected by music. It soothes emotions and helps recuperate fast. It is also a good tension buster. Even professionals like sportspersons and scientists ease their pressure by listening to music. (Yale Environment Review)
Good Music Is Enjoyable
He too loves music. He loves listening to it. Whenever he feels stressed or overworked, he prefers to listen to good music if he is not with Nature. Old film songs, light music or even classical pieces of instrumental music give him respite. They also take him back in time and make him nostalgic. He does not claim to be a music connoisseur. Still, he loves to listen to the great works of music maestros.
Life will Be Monotonus
Life sans music is desolate and monotonous. Like colours add dimension and vibrancy, music considerably contributes to the addition of yet another dimension. Many creative pursuits distract the mind to relax it for good, but music has a special place among them. It is convenient, easily accessible and varied. Listening to light music on low volume while working has a magical effect. Convenient gadgets can be bought online from https://amzn.to/4pvqysY
Suffice it to say that music is essential. Without it, life would be difficult to imagine, if not impossible. Did it resonate with you? Please share your thoughts about it.
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