Music and My Soul

Music is medicine. Medicine for the soul.

Our bodies are physical, tangible objects we can see and observe. Physical harm inflicted upon us can be readily seen and observed. But what about our mind? What about our soul? How can we assess the damage when those scars and wounds are so delicately hidden? How can we heal something so aptly concealed from our self?

We can seek solace in family, friends, and loved ones. We can mask the damage with drugs. Numb the pain with indifference. Who hasn't tried one of these methods or more? I know i have. But I have finally found my drug of choice... music. Eternal, mesmerizing, beautiful music. Whatever my trouble may be, there is something to be said for music.

My first experience with the power of music was at the age of thirteen. My uncle had passed away, and i was quite shattered. It was my first experience with death, and I did not know how to cope. During the wake, there were devotional songs playing in the background. Something within me found comfort in the music, the music that so beautifully captured my grief and made it its own. Music has the power to release you. How many of life's memories are so irrevocably bound to a song/ genre of music... so many. Happy moments, sad moments, moments of anger, moments of pain... is there not a song to express all those emotions and more?

Three years ago, I was lucky enough to come across an artist that had the ability to touch my soul. His music was able to reach the depths of my body and mind, and cleanse, heal, and revive. Last night I saw Karsh Kale perform live along with Vishal Vaid and company. I was completely and utterly taken aback. They were amazing! I was in a state of trance of nearly two hours, literally struggling to take in all the talent that was being showcased. The music was intoxicating, and I was drunk with emotion by the end of the night. Vishal's voice has the ability to transport you out of this world. My sister and I ended up having a great night. Joe's pub (the place where it was held) was very nice too. Great atmosphere, an older crowd, nice lighting, and the sound quality was good too. I will def be on the lookout for more Karsh kale/ and or Vishal Vaid performances! They are two truly mind blowing artists!!






Comments

  1. yeraJuly 23, 2009 at 1:35 PM

    karsh kale was amazing :)and hahaha you may on the lookout for more karsh kale concerts but you're already missing one! (the one advertised on the subway) sorry but i will most definetly be there. maybe take some recordings and send them your way.

    his songs are healing esp. the album realize

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

RUTGERS baby!!!!

Image
It's been a crazy four years, but today marks the official end of my undergraduate career. How can I sum my time at Rutgers in a blog post? Totally impossible. But I can say this... there is not a thing I would change. I have quite literally grown up with Rutgers. The things I have learned, the people I have met, the mistakes i have made, and my achievements all shape the woman I am today. I remember my first day at Rutgers... the nervousness, the excitement, and mostly the happiness. Funny thing is I graduate with those same feelings. I am nervous and excited for this new stage of my life, but I am also thrilled. I can not even begin to explain how I felt today. I came home and waiting for me was my first medical school book that arrived in the mail. I was considering going out tonight, but instead I began looking through the book. My dreams are becoming a reality. My future feels bright, optimistic, and rewarding! I am flying high, and the sky is the limit! But before I embark on
Read more

The "Illegal"

Recently, Vishnu and I watched "Illegal", a 2019 drama film directed by Danish Renzu. This powerful movie tells the story of a young man who comes to the US on a student visa to pursue his dream of becoming a film director. However, his journey is far from easy and the story sheds light on the many struggles he encounters along the way. As I watched the film, I was overwhelmed by a sense of melancholy and gratitude.  The melancholy came mostly from my thoughts of my parents, aunts and uncles, in-laws, and other cherished people in my life who had faced similar challenges when they arrived in the United States nearly three decades ago. Although they seldom discuss their experiences, I know that life was incredibly difficult for them back then. Many of my loved ones worked arduous jobs, sometimes multiple jobs simultaneously, just to ensure that there was food on the table. They took on this demanding work despite holding college or graduate-level degrees in India. In their pur
Read more

Direction

The roads of our lives come with no maps. No signs to tell us when to yield, when to stop, or when to go. Streets, alleys, and highways are forged as we drive along. There are crossroads, and choices to be made. There are u-turns, and detours. Sometimes we take the expressway, and other times the local. Sometimes its sunny, and sometimes it rains. But we keep driving. We keep driving. We drive and we drive, until one day our engine dies. Where did the road lead us? What was our destination? What was our purpose? 21 years. 21 years i have spent on these planet. What have i done? What have I achieved. Why am i here? I am driving, but it is foggy outside. I am trying to defrost, but my efforts are fruitless. Everything you do, everyone you love... what does it matter? Who will remember, and moreover who will care? Most of us drive along paved roads, there are few that create the beaten path. No ones journey is alike, after all we are all unique. But aren't most of our destinations the
Read more