I thank God for the time I was in Delhi. People around me made me to think. At last in Delhi, I have given my long dormant brain some serious work. This journey of thinking will not stop till I’ve breathed my last breath!
I have been watching a lot of documentary films and reading a lot of books of famous thinkers and philosophers. One thing that really strikes me is that a majority of them are from European Countries. Interestingly many quote from European thinkers. I really wonder why? Are they born with something unique? Is their culture and society accustomed for people to think, not just think but to think and reason it out till the end? If that is the case, I would love my children to be there. (Hmm.. children- that’s a different story). Well, I have started my journey to think. Someone referred to me as a thinker. I was overwhelmed by that comment. I am also scared where my thinking would lead me. People have become mentally ill, have had nervous breakdowns, committed suicides, referred to life as becoming meaningless, detachment from family life and all kinds of psychiatric disorders have been the end result of major thinkers. Well, I would not be surprised to see myself in those lines in future. My latest reading from the book “The Call by O S Guinness” has given me a deep insight to think beyond and still not fall into the above. Let me quote this for you “…. We cannot find God without God. We cannot reach God without God. We cannot satisfy God without God- which is another way of saying that our seeking will always fall short unless God’s Grace initiates the search and unless God’s call draws us to him and completes the search”*.
I always wonder what people are thinking (not about me, but what is running on their mind). Once I did a poll, but no one seemed interested. Well, that does not stop me from thinking or pursuing what I want to do. I wonder about the great thinkers. Just because they had a good family, with three meals on their table, they had an option to think and bring about a change in the society. Had they been from a poor family, yes they would be thinking but not in lines with society and philosophy but “how do I provide food for my family”. Sorry to be very harsh on the rich, but this seems convincing. So, are the well to do the only class to think? It’s a chain process. If s/he is from a well to do family, the thinking enables him/her to pursue higher studies and would make use of all his experience to see a desired change. After reading my article, if I am wrong, please write to me so that I can broaden my understanding. Because, I would not have thought in the lines that you are thinking. After doing my Divinity studies, I would wish to do a solid course on Psychology because it deals with the mind. In the late years of great thinkers, they are sent to psychologist or psychiatrics for help. One, I would not like to end up there, second, if that is the situation I would like to diagnose myself.
I have a problem with Psychology; I did basics of psychology in my Masters. People say all the results/findings of Psychological analysis are just a probability and nothing is certain. The findings are just a high percentage of possibility, when relating this to human - man/women. I would say man (including women) is a unique being. None can predict him/her. Then how does this scientific study help man resolve his issues in life. Well I am not sure. But still, I would like to give a try and study. As for now I would think think think and get back to you.
* The Call, Guinness. O S, Pg 13 &14
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Mystery of Music
I thank God for music. What is music? Any sound which is pleasant to the ear. King David was a great musician. I heard that Satan can do a seven part solo harmony, which is something unique! I thank God for the good music sense that he has given me. Of late I have been trying to analyze music in various spheres. When my ears hear the sweet sound of music, my body gets ready to sway to the music.
Well, here is my analysis. Initially being a drummer, I tried to concentrate on the rhythm section to find out everything about the rhythm. They are so many things to notice in a rhythm section. (*A note - I forgot the right term - to concentrate on a particular instrument or track when a song is played, is it psychedelic, psychoanalysis hmm.. not sure, will get back.)
Talking about rhythm section you have hi-hats or the highs, kick drum pattern, the tone of the snare (which I’m very particular about. It has to be the right snare tone) the type of rolls/breaks- called fill in, the off beats, riding on the cymbals and stuff. This is just for the rhythm section. They are loads of things to analyze. There is the bass pattern, pads, guitar patterns, keyboard section and above all lyrics to make you think! So, how does one analyze? Well, I do it my way. First I analyze the lyrics to understand the song and situation, if I like the song. Then it’s goes to my player for a clear analysis for not less than eight weeks or more.
Of late I have been excited about string instruments, especially the bass guitar. Oh boy! I love the bass patterns, the groovy stuff. I learnt that a good bass groovy will lock with the kick drum pattern and vice versa, the runs during the intervals are very interesting.
Now let’s talk about a few artists. Harris Jayaraj is a music director from South India. His work is very much appreciated. His secret - make simple music that is pleasing to the ear. His music is more to feel than to hear or listen. Unlike others whose music is very crowded, Harris ensures that his music has smooth pads played over a funky groove, which is his trademark. Illayaraja is known as the maestro of music. I wondered during my early days why he is called the Indian Mozart. Later on, after hearing his compositions, I concluded “Indeed, he is a true genius and a maestro.” With the little technology in the yesteryears he has orchestrated classic master pieces. Just imagine if he were of this era, no one could beat him.
When listening to music, I prefer listening to studio recordings, than live recordings. If it is a studio song, I can analyze every bit of the composition. Many a times I take my ears for granted. If I did not have….hmmm… not sure about my response. I am not sure about how you listen to music. Is it just hearing some sweet noise or giving your brain some work!
Observation by a friend of mine: "Noise is anything unpleasant to the ear. I’m wondering how you can say “sweet noise”... Do you like to comment!
Well, here is my analysis. Initially being a drummer, I tried to concentrate on the rhythm section to find out everything about the rhythm. They are so many things to notice in a rhythm section. (*A note - I forgot the right term - to concentrate on a particular instrument or track when a song is played, is it psychedelic, psychoanalysis hmm.. not sure, will get back.)
Talking about rhythm section you have hi-hats or the highs, kick drum pattern, the tone of the snare (which I’m very particular about. It has to be the right snare tone) the type of rolls/breaks- called fill in, the off beats, riding on the cymbals and stuff. This is just for the rhythm section. They are loads of things to analyze. There is the bass pattern, pads, guitar patterns, keyboard section and above all lyrics to make you think! So, how does one analyze? Well, I do it my way. First I analyze the lyrics to understand the song and situation, if I like the song. Then it’s goes to my player for a clear analysis for not less than eight weeks or more.
Of late I have been excited about string instruments, especially the bass guitar. Oh boy! I love the bass patterns, the groovy stuff. I learnt that a good bass groovy will lock with the kick drum pattern and vice versa, the runs during the intervals are very interesting.
Now let’s talk about a few artists. Harris Jayaraj is a music director from South India. His work is very much appreciated. His secret - make simple music that is pleasing to the ear. His music is more to feel than to hear or listen. Unlike others whose music is very crowded, Harris ensures that his music has smooth pads played over a funky groove, which is his trademark. Illayaraja is known as the maestro of music. I wondered during my early days why he is called the Indian Mozart. Later on, after hearing his compositions, I concluded “Indeed, he is a true genius and a maestro.” With the little technology in the yesteryears he has orchestrated classic master pieces. Just imagine if he were of this era, no one could beat him.
When listening to music, I prefer listening to studio recordings, than live recordings. If it is a studio song, I can analyze every bit of the composition. Many a times I take my ears for granted. If I did not have….hmmm… not sure about my response. I am not sure about how you listen to music. Is it just hearing some sweet noise or giving your brain some work!
Observation by a friend of mine: "Noise is anything unpleasant to the ear. I’m wondering how you can say “sweet noise”... Do you like to comment!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Knowledge is Power
I penned this down, when I was in a group interacting with an elite couple who where into social reformation or transformation through print media and stuff (whatever you want to call it - those big words). So, this thought quickly came to my mind – Knowledge = power? Whoopa! I found this only after coming to Delhi. If you’ve got knowledge about a particular subject, then you’ve mastered it. So, people will listen to you because you’ve got knowledge!
How does one gain knowledge? Knowledge in what sense? Is it formal or informal? Institutional education or life experiences i.e., the understanding of things in life as you experience life, is this also knowledge? Can knowledge be gained only in institutions? Is it not found in the market place? I have found people and children in the market place to be more knowledgeable than school/college going students.
The Rich, relatively, have a higher degree of knowledge. I guess it’s because they have money to go to good posh schools where they have better facilities and are given more exposure to things in life. Now, what about the poor? How does a poor person gain this knowledge? Who tells him that unless he goes to school, he will not get education? It is a vicious cycle, which I have come across many times. Parents are poor and not educated, so, they also do not force their kids to go to school. They are not bothered or worried if their kids are not in school in the morning. They are just worried about how to get the next meal for the family. There not to be blamed because they are not aware of the seriousness about education or acquiring knowledge.
I totally respect the elite couple who took the time to come and share. I was wondering, “Just because they have wide and deep knowledge on something, the entire group was glued to them. Otherwise, who would listen to them? If I bring a poor couple or an individual who has not had an education, but has knowledge about a particular subject, would you listen carefully?
So, I was wondering - if one makes people think, can we see a difference or a change in the society?
How does one gain knowledge? Knowledge in what sense? Is it formal or informal? Institutional education or life experiences i.e., the understanding of things in life as you experience life, is this also knowledge? Can knowledge be gained only in institutions? Is it not found in the market place? I have found people and children in the market place to be more knowledgeable than school/college going students.
The Rich, relatively, have a higher degree of knowledge. I guess it’s because they have money to go to good posh schools where they have better facilities and are given more exposure to things in life. Now, what about the poor? How does a poor person gain this knowledge? Who tells him that unless he goes to school, he will not get education? It is a vicious cycle, which I have come across many times. Parents are poor and not educated, so, they also do not force their kids to go to school. They are not bothered or worried if their kids are not in school in the morning. They are just worried about how to get the next meal for the family. There not to be blamed because they are not aware of the seriousness about education or acquiring knowledge.
I totally respect the elite couple who took the time to come and share. I was wondering, “Just because they have wide and deep knowledge on something, the entire group was glued to them. Otherwise, who would listen to them? If I bring a poor couple or an individual who has not had an education, but has knowledge about a particular subject, would you listen carefully?
So, I was wondering - if one makes people think, can we see a difference or a change in the society?
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