Of Sadness…

I don’t know if you would agree, but I believe that the best works of art are created in moments of sorrow, helplessness, despair . There is definite beauty in pure, utter misery. The heart cries out for mercy – “Let me out, just let me out!!” The passion unleashed paints magnificent oils; composes music from some inner hidden depth within you; scripts the best play ever.

There are few people who experience pure joy for extended periods of time – isn’t it typically sorrow that occupies a comparatively larger portion?We are drawn to melancholic strains for the simple reason that, yeah well, no one wishes to be unhappy. Paradoxical, huh ? Music written in such temper is one that stirs a host of unbidden memories, invokes that twisted smile – “Yeah, I’ve been there – but I am still standing, breathing, living. Pulled it off, eh?”. Some raagas invoke that reaction (e.g. Panthuvarali).It pierces your senses, absorbed in your memory more easily vis-a-vis a light hearted, giddily happy composition.

I remember feeling so when treated to a Pandit Vishwamohan Bhat’s composition – the alaap started off slow, sad depicting the separation of two lovers -the pain in the waiting, wondering if all is well, the tenderness of recollection – terrible in its beauty…