Music and Identity

Every genre of music espouses its own identity. The identity depends on a lot of factors such as the language of the lyrics, the meaning behind the words, grammar, musical style, instruments used, intonation and so on. Carnatic music has given me a strong sense of cultural identity and helped me connect the past with the present in profound ways. 

There is the language connect, where understanding the lyrics of a familiar language lends to greater emotion and depth while singing, not to mention greater appreciation of poetic beauty. Many times, one is left admiring the brilliance with which words fit into a specific tune to make a perfectly sounding phrase. 

There is also the connect that one establishes with composers of the past and present. For me, when I sing compositions which have been created hundreds of year ago by ancient composers, it is amazing to see how music helps one transcend time and in a way, truly connect with the past. 

There is the connect with instruments used that lend themselves to an overall enhanced musical experience, emphasizing both percussion and melodic accompaniment aspects. 

However, the deepest concept that I identify with in Carnatic music is a sense of surrender to a greater spiritual power, to something beyond me and this world, that gives one a sense of inner peace and tranquility. In the perfection of each note, one attains a state of 'flow' where all ego seems to cease to exist. This has been my interpretation of Naada Brahmam, achieving transcendence through music.