Melody: A Different Tune

 

The melodies of our lives crisscross across the maps of our emotional terrain; they are the paths by which we chart our inner journeys.

If we peek between the notes, we find Time working its mysterious fingers through every tune. While rhythm imparts order to the musical experience, melody gives it a sense of continuity. It is the line that connects the dots, connects the performer to the audience, connects us to each other and to the transcendental experience of music.

In both times of tumult and spells of serenity, we turn to melody to make sense of the world. Various artists, albums and genres claim distinct periods of the music lover’s lifetime. Picasso had his Blue Period – we have our Blues Period. A different shade of sound colours every summer, every trauma, every road trip, every meal.

Currently, the spectrum available in India is broader and more vibrant than it has ever been before.

We begin our genre-hopping journey with the new kids on the block; Madboy/Mink mix it up with their fresh take on mash-ups. Drawing from their eclectic influences, this dirty electro-funk duo takes us from the smoky swing clubs of the 1940s to 21st century nu disco in a single set, with hauntingly beautiful vocals to boot.

Next up are the Reggae Rajahs. Bringing the sound system culture from the heart of Jamaica to clubs and festivals closer to home, this trio sets their socially conscious lyrics to some bashy beats. It’s a punky reggae party, and everyone’s invited.

The tempo drops a notch as we drift through the soundscape of Sattyananda’s meditative music. Infused with classical Indian instruments, this music-medium’s mellow brand of electronica echoes through us, awakening our sleeping senses to the connections beyond.

We wrap things up with the audiovisual collective BLOT! This progressive pair lifts music out of a purely auditory realm to give their audience the complete sensory experience. Their atypical clubland genre breaks all the boundaries, and gives a whole new meaning to drawing from music.  

As we open our minds to the ineffable power of music, we become our own melodies: crisscrossing, colouring, connecting.

Mellifluously,
Simone