My playlist is beautiful. It has a Sufi song, a Moroccan gypsy song, a Turkish song, a song by an Indian rock band, a Rajasthani folk song and a Qawwali. While writing this part, I am hearing the Moroccan gypsy song. The myriad of flutes which make up the mainstay of the song along with some kind of drums are playing in slow gusto. Then some kind of bass guitar comes, replacing the flutes. As the sounds fade, first the guitar, and then the drum beats, a silence takes its place. You never know that the song has ended, but the next song starts breaking the silence.
The Moroccan gypsy song is replaced by Turkish instrumental song. Unless there is this harp like sound which is intermixed with the main wailing sound of some violin like instrument, this song sounds so Chinese. I had deliberately not put Chinese music in my playlist. These two cultures are so different that their music sets an entirely different mood on you. The sound of viola (which I shall name so) is typical Arab; the sound is not continuously modulated. The beauty is in the break, and when a high timbre string instrument adds to the cacophony, you feel altogether elevated. The strings are strung taut and the musician, whoever he may be, pulls at them as if they are Gordian knots, which need to be broken. The song ends with the strings being pulled one by one, verily a fitting end to the silence.
The Indian rock band starts with typical guitar flourish, along with the first chorus bringing on the tempo. The song feels as if this is also a continuation of all the previous songs. What can connect a Moroccan gypsy song, a Turkish song with an Indian rock song? Nothing; unless the song is such a fusion of Indian folk music with all of the instruments that can make up a normal song by any band in rock scene. In spite of this mix, they somehow bring Kabir and a lot of chorus into it. Funky folk. That’s what it is in the end.
A Rajasthani folk song with Shehnai is something which is new to me. This song has been with me for ages but I have never done justice to it, by playing it at least once. WOW. If anyone has heard Rajasthani folk song, you will find Shehnai absolutely at home playing to the tune of Dholak kind of instrument. It is so good that you feel your mind dancing like those women in the desert swaying their lehangas to the dry wind. Ever wondered if there is any of those women or men of desert without a yearning. I do not think so. It might not be what you or I yearn for. Like a Jeep or a trip to Kilimanjaro. Theirs might be much baser; more truer.
The Qawwali is sung in such high pitch that makes the singer reach to Him. Ali dum ali is a chant in all of them. It doesn’t matter to him if his jugulars are strained to the max and break or not, but he takes it to a plane of ecstasy that is only for a lover to feel.
I am with a beautiful person :)
