By the time this article is printed and published am sure Kerala would already be bouncing back to normalcy. Our friends in Kerala have gone through a lot of hardships and heavy losses in terms of material, physical and emotional damage . No amount of soothing words or support can be considered enough at the present circumstance.. We all are together in our prayers to the people who have made that land “ Gods own country “,

My tryst with Gods Own Country is very special. Both my parents are from this wonderful land . I have been performing in this land since 1977 . Music runs in the very core of this land of multiplicity . A land traditionally called as the Parasuramakshetram, Kerala is a true example of pluralism . Though there are multiple cultural impressions and amalgamations, in the way of life ,the musical thought of this land has remained unchanged . Be it folk music , lullabies, film songs and of course the traditional music - the fragrance and taste of Karnatik music is visible in this land like no where else . The awareness among the Keralites for the sound of Karnatik music is like how bee gets attracted to honey in a flower . It is so natural for them to find their joy in the sound and essence of music of Raga and Tala . The way they understand and enjoy our music is an experience to behold . Their many art forms like Kadakali , Mohinataam, Theyyam , Padayani, Ottamthullal,
Pulikalli,Onapottan, Koodiyattam ( a 2000 year old Sanskrit traditional dance ) Thirayattam, Kummattikali , Chakyar Koothu,and Kalaripayattu ( a martial at form which is also considered as an art form). is a reflection of that phenomena

If we look at all the art forms of Kerala - we will see distinct flavour of rhythm and music closely connected to the sounds of Raga and Thala. Ragams like Kedaram, Arabhi, Anandabhairavai, Neelambari, Devagandhari etc and rhythmic cycles of Misra, Kanda and of course the cycle of 4 runs in the DNA of the various art forms of Kerala . They way they look at life itself as a musical experience is a big example to the outside community to look at life . The sounds are very powerful and yet the artistes and the audience are both subtle and expanded in understanding the dynamics of each other . A land meant for celebration - yes life is a big celebration for the people of Kerala .

From the Kalpathy Car festival, Thriusur Puram , Vaikathapan festival, Pungunnam Sri Rama Temple festival, NIshagandhi festival, Paiyannor Thurreyam festival by Swami Krishnananda Bharathiji , Of course Swati Tirunal festival at the Navaratri Mantapam in Trivandrum , Chemabai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar festival in Guruvayoor Temple and many more really many many more festivals, stand as a example to the interest and involvement of the people of Kerala in being part of the art and culture of the land ..

I have performed in Kerala under different circumstances and occasions and every single experience has enriched my experience of music and in turn my life .

The way they acknowledge your skill in elaborating a raga or a swara prasthara with a slight nod or by exclaiming the word ( Kollaam) or their disapproval with their unique sound by twisting their tongue - Yes the people of that state are unique in every way. The outside world may not necessarily be aware of some fantastic musicians of that land but for a very few who made it big because of their migration to more visible cities. Every village or district in Kerala have some kind of festival where in our traditional music and rhythm is celebrated in its full glory. From Palakkad to Trivandrum and Shoranur to Talapaady - the sound of music is fused with the pulse of the people and one can hear the sound of music in different form of their folk art . Yes, art is a way of life for the people of Kerala. As artistes, fans and admirers of this great land ,we send our prayers through our music for a very speedy recovery from this calamity and wish to see the land in its full glory once again .

Hari OM

Music is by far the most energised and optimised form of expression . It is the perfect reflection of unity and diversity . As a practitioner and performer - one feels the unification of one with the sound - Unity As a listener , the experience leaves each one with a unique yet different experiences - but the music is the same . For some it is Bhakthi, for some it is Bliss, for some it is technical , for some it is Mathematical etc …(Diversity ) There has been many scientific studies which goes on to prove that listening to Music helps in the optimisation of the human possibilities .

A musical mind is what one must aspire to have . To be that , one need not be a practitioner of the art . Being musical is a step upwards of being spiritual. Musical mind comprises of these very key elements . Bhava - Emotion, Attitude etc Raga - Colour, Identity, Thoughts , Expressions etc Tala. - rhythm, discipline , structure , etc .

The key to success is to find a balance in these three . Emotions with the right form of expression with in a structure will help live a balanced, successful and fulfilling life in every way . Our land Bharatha - was and is named so because our ancestors perfected this art and many of us still do so . Let us all strive to find this Musical mind and live a life filled with happiness and joy .

Music has always given a great sense of elation to me . It has been a very personal and perfect experience connecting with the sounds of nature in a way of completeness. What is Music ?? Is it just a sound , a thought , an idea !!! What is it that ,just hearing a particular phrase or sound , the whole being is transported to a different state of experience. Well we could say this "Music is the organic and organised expression of all that is good inside the "expressor".A collective endeavour of the mind, body , intellect and soul to bring out a sound that is totally meaningless in its primary state but can create an experience of bliss !!!" Music is always beyond words and hence beyond comprehension and boundaries . Yes human mind has the unique ability to create division in the indivisible , we have managed to divide God 😳😳😳😳but music is by far the only element today that is truly transdental and has the capacity to unite the divided .. We see it on stage , musicians divided by the system getting together on stage to perform , Artistes from different ethnicity get together to create wonderful musical memories etc etc . What do we call music !!! Any sound that is pleasing and easy on the ears . We even go to extent of saying that somebody's speech is musical . Music is by far , "The most refined form of expression . " As the great Indian monk Swami Vivekananda says " Music is the highest art and for those who understand, it is the highest form on worship " Worship! Worship also in a way means celebration. That way , I consider my life musical. A journey of bountiful experiences and emotions .. a never ending quest and thirst for the source of the phenomenon. The more I seek , the more intriguing it is .!!!!!!

The seed for this musical idea was sown when I was in my early 20's. I was greatly attracted and inspired when I heard legendary musicians like Jimmy Hendricks, Chick Corea, Stephan Grappelli, Yehudi Menuhin, MS Gopalakrishnan, N.Rajam, John Maclaughlin, L Shankar, Zakir Hussain, Vikku and many more. What was so special about their music was that there was so much of virtuosity and versatility in their performance and personality.

When I wanted to replicate that in the music that I was pursuing, I felt a vacuum in expressing such an experience. It was all about reproducing a philosophical thought. I felt a disconnect and there was an urge in me to create a piece to express my feeling, my experience, my skill as a musical expression - something where I could challenge myself.

I also heard - flights of the bumblebee - a famous composition in the western musical form. All this was inside me as a churning process and stayed with me through this journey.

The germination of the idea started a few years back. This composition ( a garland of ragas - raga - a musical scale), naturally moving from one raga to another, is a journey from one musical moment to another - from one raga to another. I fine-tuned and changed a few phrases to make it more meaningful as a composition and also create some challenging passages to make it a fulfilling experience. Everything and every moment of this musical expression has been intuitive including the final climax. Just a natural flow.

After the completion, I was looking for a name. Coming from the background of a culture, steeped in the concept “Aham bramhasmai “ as a way of life, this had to be dedicated to somebody who stretched their boundaries. Anjaneya is the name that came to my mind, he is the first among all the superhumans that we know and worship. All of us are a reflection of Anjaneya in our own way, moving through this beautiful experience of life, facing challenges, conquering our own set boundaries, and devotees in our own way.

My dreams, My expressions, My expansions, My experience and My musical joy is represented in this musical flight

“ Flights of Anjaneya “ ……

dedicated to all those, who are free-spirited and are stretching their boundaries again and again.

I am sure there are many youngsters who would feel like the way I feel and I wish them all the very best !!!

As a practitioner and performer - one feels the unification of one with the sound - Unity
As a listener, the experience leaves each one with a unique yet different experiences - but the music is the same.
For some it is Bhakthi, for some it is Bliss, for some it is technical, for some it is Mathematical etc. . . (Diversity )

There has been many scientific studies which goes on to prove that listening to Music helps in the optimisation of the human possibilities.

A musical mind is what one must aspire to have.
To be that, one need not be a practitioner of the art.
Being musical is a step upwards of being spiritual.

Musical mind comprises of these three very key elements.

The key to success is to find a balance in these three.
Emotions with the right form of expression with in a structure will help live a balanced, successful and fulfilling life in every way.
Our land Bharatha - was and is named so and our ancestors perfected this art and many of us still do so.

Let us all strive to find this Musical mind and live a life filled with happiness and joy.