Lets talk about an entertraining subject before delving into main article- Cinema. During early evolution period of Indian cinema from 40's to 70's, movies are mostly mythological based and more than half of movietime is filled with music either as songs or poetical prose in tunes. We the millenial kids from early 80's couldn't relate to this as easily as random shouts in songs that match our young and immature energies.
Quality of movies began taking a different course over next few decades where audience began preferring more drama, action and violence. Simple yet enrapturing songs gave way to pop style music trend of those days. There isn't anything inherently wrong in this as it suites taste of new generation, or so I thought until recently while going on a short pilgrimage road trip with friends last year where had some moments of sing-songs. We recalled some melodious movie songs from late 80's and 90's but soon realized that no popular songs from 2000's or last decade strike us. Oldie songs composed by music directors like S.D Burman in Hindi or Illayaraja from Southern movies can haunt you even if you heard just once and never watched that movie nor understood song's meaning during childhood days. Hollywood too has its fair share of evergreen hits like Sound-of-Music and Wizard-of-Oz with a good dose poetic prose and songs giving them rightful soft spots in hearts of Baby-boomers & Generation-X. Only difference is it didn't take much time to reduce music in Hollywood productions from songs into background scores whereas Indian cinema still retained that element albeit to lesser extent.
Missing factor in contemporary music I think is- a consistent Rhythm. Movie songs these days are tough to reproduce ourselves due to having potpurri of Raagas (rhythms from Indian Hindustani and Carnatic music) mixed-up, lyrics sung in high pitch or just too many synthetic instruments clouding main theme of song. No doubt that latest music is pleasant to hear but they aren't being memorable for a lifetime anymore unlike the oldie-goldie songs which generally stick to a core raaga or two. They felt now more classy and does better job in delivering message and emotion in a song swiftly with less instrumental or visual aid.
Many often translate Freedom to having that external latitude in doing whatever and whenever we want, but not in cultivating that nature within us of letting go of habits we know are hindering us
As our lives and demands got complicated, so did Music too. Many often translate Freedom to having that external latitude in doing whatever and whenever we want, but not in cultivating that nature within us of letting go of habits we know are hindering us. Words like 'discipline' became our nemesis. Like a Parrot in a golden cage, many often find themselves bound in habitual patterns even when the cage door is wide open.
Complicating our lives by trying too many things at same time and not knowing which one gives us real happiness is akin to a kid surrounded by many toys and not able to choose which one he likes the best. All we need is to make our Life memorable is to discover that one natural Rhythm which's unique to each one of us, just like varied Raagas designed to suite a specific time, emotion and occassion. This one Rhythm of yours isn't any music but rather pattern of Life that unfolds an understanding of ourselves and our relationship with this creation. If this discovery is not worth pursuing, what else would ? Let Rishis be your guide in this journey who can point towards the direction that led to their own discoveries.
~ Swami Pranavananda
