As I stood on the shores of Calicut Beach, surrounded by a sea of faces, I felt the weight of a nation’s divisions slowly lifting. The music program, ‘Charyar’, was about to begin, and I was eager to experience the magic that would unfold.
The evening’s performance was part of a larger movement, one that seeks to counter the growing tide of communalism in India. The ‘Mere Ghar Aake To Dekho’ (Look, My Home is Here) campaign, spearheaded by the indefatigable Shabnam Hashmi, has been bringing people together across faiths and cultures, sharing stories and tea in each other’s homes.
A Musical Testament to Unity
As the musicians took the stage, the crowd fell silent, anticipation hanging in the air. Dr. Madan Gopal Singh, a renowned music director and teacher at Delhi’s Satyavati College, led the ensemble with his soulful voice. Deepak Castellino’s mastery of the guitar and banjo added a unique texture to the proceedings, while sarod player Pritam Ghoshal and tabla player Amjat Khan provided the perfect rhythmic foil.
The music was a testament to the power of unity, weaving together mystical currents from India’s major religious traditions. As I listened, I felt my heart swell with emotion, the music transcending the boundaries that divide us.
Indian Mystical Music: A Tradition of Unity
India’s mystical music traditions have long been a source of solace and unity for its people. From the Sufi qawwalis of the Indian subcontinent to the bhajans of Hinduism and the chants of Buddhism, music has played a vital role in bridging the gaps between faiths and cultures.
The Power of Music to Heal
As I looked around at the sea of faces, I knew that I was not alone in feeling the transformative power of music. In these fractious times, music has the power to heal and unite like never before. By tapping into the mystical traditions that have always been a part of India’s cultural heritage, we can create a new narrative of love, acceptance, and inclusivity.
The ‘Mere Ghar Aake To Dekho’ movement and initiatives like ‘Charyar’ demonstrate the power of music to bring us together. As I walked away from the beach that night, I felt a sense of hope that I had not felt in a long time. Maybe, just maybe, we can create a brighter, more loving future for ourselves and for generations to come.
Mujeeb Rahman Kinalur is an author and cultural critic based at Calicut, Kerala
