The Shakti of Music

[Guest guest]

Devi is the essence of glorious music, says Sri Amritananda Natha

Saraswati -- and some of the most glorious music in the Carnatic

(South Indian classical) tradition in the past decade has been

produced by the prodigiously talented vocalist, Nithyasree Mahadevan

(who is actually a granddaughter of the legendary D.K. Pattammal).

Nithya -- whose live performances are characterized by her almost

trance-like intensity -- has written the following essay, which

collects quotes from around the world on the divinity of music:

 

MANODHARMA

 

Music, with its universal appeal, has been in existence from times

immemorial. In any society, the influence of music is salutary and

it is perhaps the only art that does not corrupt the mind. In India,

music in esteemed primarily as a means for attaining "moksha".

 

Westerners, too, feel that music is more intimately connected than

any other art with the hidden soul within us. Music is the easiest

route to God. Music is the finest of fine Arts. Music is total

bliss. I am happy to present few interesting sayings on music by

great philosophers, saints, thinkers and musicians:

 

Auerbeach: Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday

life.

 

Ancient Hindu Verse - Maha Vishnu says "Narada! I dwell not in

vaikuntha nor in the hearts of yogis nor in the sun; but where my

devotees sing, there I am."

 

Beethoven: Music is the mediator between the Spiritual and the

Sensual life.

 

Bovee: Music is the fourth great material want of nature - first

food then raiment, then shelter then music.

 

Confucius: Music produces a kind of pleasure which Human Nature

cannot do without.

 

Carlyle: Music when healthy is the teacher of perfect order.

 

Chateaubriani: Music is the child of prayer, the companion of

religion.

 

Emmons: The highest graces of music flow from the feelings of heart

 

Goethe: Music is the art of the prophets, the only art which can

calm the agitations of the soul.

 

Grebenshikov: Music is religion; it gives your life focus and shows

you how to smile.

 

Jean Paul Sartre: Music is an invisible dance, as dancing is a

silent music.

 

Luther: Music makes people milder and gentler, more moral and more

reasonable.

 

Napoleon: Music of all the arts has the greatest influence over the

passions; and the legislator ought to give it the greatest

encouragement.

 

Saint Thyagaraja (in his kirthi "Nada Tanum Anisam"): "The seven

swaras are the very essence of sama veda; Lord Shiva is himself the

embodiment of music.

 

Sangita Darpana: Music not only is the finest of fine arts but it is

the sole art instrumental for securing the 4 purusharthas, Dharma,

Artha, Kama and Moksha.

 

Shakespeare: The man that hath no music in himself/ Nor is moved

with concord of sweet sounds/ Is fit for treason, stratagems and

spoils/ Let no such man be trusted.

 

Sarangadeva (in his book Sangita Ratnakara): Music, or Nada,

described as "Bramha Nada" is the voice of God himself. Brahma

created this music from sama veda.

 

Tamil Hymn: God is the embodiment as well as the fruit of music.

(Isayaay Isaippavanai)

 

Vonnegut: What is sacred? All music is.

 

Weber: Music is the true universal speech of mankind

 

Yajnavalkya Smrithi: A person who has mastered the art of playing

the veena, well versed in the knowledge of sruthi and jathi, and who

knows the intricacies of the laya, attains Moksha most effortlessly.

 

**********

 

(Full disclosure: the Grebenshikov and Vonnegut quotes were my

additions. The rest is all pure Nithya. Her original essay can be

checked at:

 

http://www.nithyasree.com/column.htm )