Music is Supreme – article by Jayadevan

Music has no language; so also it has no boundaries. Therefore there is only one music called universal music. But depending on the geographical features it assumes different forms in different countries. But basically it is one everywhere.

JAYADEVAN

 
In India also music has regional differences though its classical character has much similarity. In western music different divisions are there inspite of the fact that the underlying factor is one and the same. In western music also differences are visible.
 
To be very precise and practical, music takes different forms as its roots are spread very deep in the social and cultural life of he country where it is popular. It is definitely a performing art which people enjoy with great devotion and dedication.
 
There are only very few specimen for Indian music around he world as in India it is related to ‘Bhakthi’ and ‘Pramukthi’. Both the forms proclaim the presence of God in individuals.
 
Many ‘Kritis’ in classical music have been written in praise of Gods. Devotional music has also been developed as a separate entity of classical heritage. In western music also devotional music has its significant role. Church music is an example and it is also widely promoted in western countries. Pop, Rap etc belong to different schools in western music.
 
The period of Trinity in south India heralded he golden period of the classical music in India. But even before the times of Trinity ‘pallvi’ system existed. In Karnatic Music both ragas and thalas have equal importance. ‘ Dhruvam’, ‘Madyam’, ‘Roopakam’, ‘Thriputa’, ‘Jampa’, ‘Ada’ and ‘Eka’ are the seven thalas. There are also five bifurcations such as ‘Chathursram, ‘Thrisram’, ‘Misrum’, ‘Ghandam’ and ‘Sangeernam’. Total there are 7×5 = 35 thals.
 
There are also upto 108 thals. Based on such thals, pallavis are created. Sometimes of the ragas ‘Sankarabharanam’, ‘Thodi’, ‘Chakravaakam’ etc, the musician selects one raga and renders the outline changing the pitch from among ri ga dha and ni. Then he changes to different ragas and continues his eloquence in singing. This is followed by ‘Thanampallavi’.
 
Pallvis are presented in important ragas such as Sankarabharanam, Thodi, Kalyani, kamboji, Bhairavi, Shanmukhapriya etc. Recently they are rendered in rare ragas also.
 
Music purifies. It purifies the mind. Its is said ‘ wakeup listening the music. Then you will find it is the spontaneous flow of musical notes. It is enchanting, invigorating and inspiring the human souls. Music is the sublime combination of the pitch of ‘Hava’ power and ‘Bhava’ based on the strength of ‘Nada’.
 
Just as the grammar of sound becomes the language, the grammar of soul turns to be music. The literary man argues that literature stands first among the five arts such as
 
Music
Literature
Acting
Painting
and
Sculpture
 
He points out examples also for this. For music, melodious voice is most essential. But for literature voice is not at all required. It needs only a blending of alphabets. For acting a Stage is essential. But a stage is not necessary for literary appreciation while a canvas is indispensable for painting. A sculptor requires an object to execute his work.
 
But the musician brings out a volley of questions against this argument. He says;
‘Sangeethamapi Sahithyam
Saraswathya: sthanadwaya”
 
The scholar who writes the above stanza fully supports the theory that music is supreme and it should get the first place among the five arts. He goes on to say that the moment one listens the music, he is fully captivated. It is therefore argued, music has an enviable position as it stands first above all other arts both in its acceptability and accountability.