As a person who was born in a family of musicians (from my maternal side), good music always found a prime place on our family. My grandfather was a renowned bhajan virtuoso. My grandmother was a bhajan maestro and a vocalist for dance programs. My mother and her siblings learned classical music and were performers. By extension, myself, my siblings, and my cousins were always exposed to some type of good music throughout our student days. Family get togethers would invariably have some discussion around music. Though none of us embraced music as a profession, understanding & appreciating good music became a way of life for us,
As we were spread out geographically, the types of music we were exposed to were varied. As true connoisseurs of music, we exchanged notes and made sure that those who were left out from our type of music listened to it and broadened their spectrum of music listening.
In due course I learnt that music is a form of expression that has been present in human societies for thousands of years. It is a language that can be understood by people from different cultures and backgrounds. This makes it a universal language that connects people on a deeper level. Music has the power to invoke emotions, convey messages, and bring people together regardless of their native language or cultural differences.
Over a period of time I realized that music as a form of expression has evolved throughout human history. The power of music to connect people has remained constant, even as the language and forms of music have changed over time.
Music as an universal language goes beyond languages spoken by men. Even if you don't understand the words of a song as it may be set in a language you don't understand, you can still like the tune, beat, and feelings in the music. For instance, you may not understand Telugu or Tamil, you can still enjoy songs by AR Rehman or Illayaraja. The emotions in the music still matter, even if you don't get the lyrics.
It is the emotion in the music that makes it a universal language. Music has the ability to convey complex emotions and feelings that can be difficult to express through words alone. For example, a sad music can evoke feelings of sadness or melancholy in the listener, even if they do not understand the lyrics. Similarly, an upbeat song can bring feelings of happiness or excitement to the listener, regardless of their language or cultural background.
Music can also be used to convey messages and stories that are important to different cultures. In many cultures, music is used as a way to preserve and share history and traditions. Traditional folk songs often tell stories of historical events or cultural practices that are important to a particular community. Even if a person from another culture does not understand the language of the song, they can still appreciate the message and the importance of the story being told.
Another reason why music is considered a universal language is that it has the ability to connect people across different generations. While music may change over time, the emotional impact and cultural significance of certain genres and songs can be passed down from one generation to the next.
Music can also be a tool for cultural exchange and understanding. Through music, people from different cultures can share their traditions, beliefs, and experiences with others. For example, the popularity of K-pop (Korean pop music) has led to an increased interest in Korean culture around the world.
To sum up, music is a universal language that connects people on a deeper level. While the language and forms of music may differ across cultures and time periods, the emotional impact and cultural significance of music remains constant. Music has the power to transcend linguistic and cultural barriers, convey messages and stories, connect people across different generations, promote cultural exchange and understanding.
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