New Delhi: Veteran Hindustani Classical vocalist Shubha Mudgal, veteran Percussionist Bickram Ghosh and sarod artists Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash discussed the healing power of music, with Vir Sanghvi, who presided over the session on ‘Art For Heart: The Healing Power Of Genius’, in the second edition of ABP Network Ideas Of India on Thursday. In a chat with Sanghvi, the three musical maestros discussed how music can heal, help one relax and can harmonize.
The Companionship Of Music Can Heal: Shubha Mudgal
Talking about the difficult times during the pandemic, Shubha Mudgal shared how music had helped her heal. She said, “We’ve all been through an extremely difficult time in the last two years and the companionship of music has really kept me going through those very, very difficult times of enforced captivity and near-death experiences. I think it is possible that the companionship of any music that you prefer, really provides unconditional healing support, and a kind of peace that rarely comes from anything else.”
She further said that it is not just classical music, but all kinds of music that provided companionship. She said, “It is with your own music, that you have moments of great struggle as well. But when you hear, just the just let’s say bird’s song you feel that yes, there is hope for a better tomorrow.”
Shubha also discussed how making her listeners happy is a form of healing as well. She said, “People come up and say, I heard this song and I was moved to tears or that I just can’t stop myself from dancing when I hear your ‘Ab Ke Saawan‘ or something like that. So in the music industry by songs just last for a few weeks, and it’s wonderful to see that people are still listening to these songs. That gives me that little pat on the back and reassurance that yes, there are people listening.”
She continued to say, “But at the same time if eyebrows were to go in into hairlines, to say oh my god, what has she done? I don’t think I could still stop myself from trying to work. I would do it anyway. I think as a student of music, I’m curious, and I’m delighted at the fact that I’m getting opportunities to work with different kinds of disciplines and forms of music. So I feel that all of these experiences have been enriching for me, and I value those experiences.”
‘The Power Of Rhythm’ As Discussed By Bickram Ghosh
Sanghvi continued his discussion about the healing power of music with Percussionist Bickram Ghosh and the maestro talked about the magic that is there in rhythm and how micro-cosmically, rhythm is present inside us by giving the analogy of the human heartbeat. He said, “It’s because of the heartbeat that we are alive. So if the heartbeat is good and solid, then we well we’re not sick. I think the healing power of music, and hence rhythm as well is extremely strong, because cosmically, we’re surrounded by rhythm.”
“Everything is a rhythmic cycle in the Indian rhythmic idiom. So in that cyclic scheme of things, we are connected to the cosmos through rhythm, and everything is powered by it. So yes, of course, there is a huge power there for rhythm and hence music can heal or even sicken. So we have to use our notes and our beats very, very carefully so that it generates positivity and not negativity.”, Ghosh further explained.
He also spoke about how rhythm and beat can have an effect on the premise of human communication and said, “If your tempo is right, and your modulation is right, your communication skills are better and life, in general, is better.”
Amaan Ali Bangash On Classical Artists Being More Humble Than Others
Continuing the discussion with the Bangash brothers, Vir Sanghvi said that in his experience classical musicians are more humble than pop or rock music artists, to which Amaan Ali said, “I think it’s just culture because our music is more about what you’ve heard from the great stars and the pandits. It’s to do with spirituality and shanthi. The only thing that takes a musician or any creative person ahead in life is being grounded and humble because I’ve seen enough examples just disappearing. Unfortunately.”
Talking about music as a language and means to express one’s mood, from heartache to happiness, Amaan Ali said, “It’s a journey it’s still going on. And I’m proud to say that as musicians, the music never lies. We cannot manipulate through music. With words, you can manipulate, but through music, you cannot. And so what about the healing part I think, good music with good intention is healing.”
Ayaan Ali Bangash Talked About Musical Discussions With His Father
When Sanghvi asked if the pressure of having a hard taskmaster like Ayaan’s father, comes in the way while they are performing, Ayaan spoke about the sense of responsibility that actually comes from within. He said, “I think that was his reverse psychology with us. He was more of a father and the guru part happened later because we were so young when we were learning, but I think he always left the ball in our court.”
He continued saying, “When we would go up to him and say, how did we perform, he would say, ‘listen to the recording, and work it out, sort yourself out. You know what you should do? Or at least you should know the direction or the path you want to take.’ So he left the ball in our court and that I think, made us realise from within or made us feel the pressure which happened organically rather than him imposing it.”
He also said that their father let them listen to all kinds of music and grow as musicians because the more you listen, the more you learn.
Ideas Of India Is Back
ABP Network Ideas Of India Summit is back for its second edition. On February 24 and 25, eminent personalities from all walks of life will share their thoughts on pertinent topics and issues, ranging from climate catastrophe to India’s position as a new global power player.
This year’s speakers will share their thoughts on what constitutes ‘Naya India’, and how our country, now the fifth-largest economy, can position itself as a developed nation by 2047, marking 100 years of independence.
This year, the ABP Network Ideas Of India summit — co-presented by Dabur Vedic Tea and co-powered by Dr Ortho, Gallant Advance, and Rajesh Masala (driven by Maruti Suzuki and with tech partner Panasonic) — will see notable speakers such as Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, Minister Of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Former British Prime Minister Liz Truss, lyricist and poet Javed Akhtar, musical artists Bickram Ghosh and Shubha Mudgal, authors Amitav Ghosh and Devdutt Pattanaik, actresses Sara Ali Khan, Yami Gautam, Asha Parekh and Zeenat Aman, actors Ayushmann Khurrana and Manoj Vajpayee, celebrity chef Vikas Khanna, sports stars Jwala Gupta and Vinesh Phogat, and many more.