Where does this music come from!

It took a good mount of search in our property among the tall trees, covered from all sides with foliage, to spot two Magpie Robins perched in two trees away from each other, singing to each other!  Was it a prelude to becoming a pair!

I tracked these Robins for a while when they moved between trees. They chose to perch in branches which looked bare and dry!

Where does this music come from!

I remember listening to an Indian born British composer during a concert in the British Council, Chennai, perhaps in 1989, when he talked about his composition about a court scene in  a King's chamber from a story in an ancient Indian literature.

Many musicians were called in to play before the king. After they all performed there was a musician with visual impairment who started playing his violin. The first string broke after a while, then the second and finally one string was left and the violinist kept playing. The music became even more melodious and inspirational to the listeners. The large gathering in the King's court listened to this music just with one string left in the violin with the music becoming a melody as never before! This composer told the audience, 'This is music, when it is  from within' !

Our Older son Arpit who was a attending a workshop led by this composer, was taken up by his piano recital, repertoire of composition and stories behind his composition, that he gave a serious thought to study music full time! He did pursue completing his formal training with Royal College of Music, London, in music theory and piano recital. Our younger son Anandit trained himself in flute and trumpet and passed his music examinations.

As these Magpie Robins sang to each other, the above story returned to me with freshness. 

I have no musical background where as Anna learned violin and used to be in the orchestra during her student days at CMC Vellore. With a recent acquisition of a good violin, Anna has returned to playing. 

Music becomes a melody in our soul when, we get tuned to the song from within. There is a song within each of us. When that song resonates within when we listen to music, there is an inner harmony!

When does what others tell us become A music like that! Even a conversation can quicken us to feel the inner resonance of harmony!

I have pondered over it a lot in the recent weeks! When does speaking becomes less than a communication! When speaking is to project oneself or acquire the space of acceptance, it looses its appeal to cause a resonance within us or in others. In a true sense speaking is self giving! In the Pauline reflection, speaking is to bring grace to the listener's ear (Colossians 4:6)!

We reach out to others, when our speech edifies others with more attention on them rather than being on ourselves. 

One Biblical verse, which brings an inspirational challenge to me is: 'Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself' (Philippians 2:3)! While I know that this calling is still cerebral to me, I have been in pursuit to making this my habit during conversations. 

These two  Robins brought music to my soul and clarified the intent of any communication! They shared love between them in singing to each other!

It is in listening, we behold others in love and mindfulness!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Photoblog: childdevelopmentashirvad.blogspot.com