Harmonies of Healing: Music’s Resonance Through Time and Tragedy
Samuel Wong, a renowned conductor and medical doctor, beautifully articulated in his article “Musical Healing,” which he wrote for the Harvard Medical Alumni Bulletin, that “Music can be the key that releases a flood of memories — not just randomly, but as a part of the coherent picture” (Wong, 1999). This profound statement resonates deeply with me, as I, too, am intimately familiar with the strong connection between music and memory. Every moment and every person I have met seems to have its soundtrack, somewhat like a symphony of memories that accompanies me through life.
At times, I feel like my mind is a treasure trove of various musical compositions, and whenever I hear these melodies, they transport me back to specific moments in time, allowing me to relive those memories with utmost clarity. For Instance, I have fond memories of waking up to the soulful sound of morning aartis1 during my childhood. These hymns and devotional songs were sung by my mother and echoed throughout our household, alongside the gentle call of the morning Aazan2 from the nearby mosque. Furthermore, my brother and I attended a convent school where we were introduced to the joyous carols every day, and least did we realize that these experiences, melodies, and songs would become an integral part of our identity. Also, amidst the nostalgia for days gone by and the cherished memories with our parents, there exists another realm of recollections — those of the first taste of love, heartbreaks and longings. It was amidst the backdrop of 90s Bollywood music that I fell deeply in love with him, Shantanu, my heart swaying to the rhythm of his affection. Despite the passage of 23 years, the songs of that era, specifically those that he dedicated to me, still possess the power to whisk me away to a time of pure innocence and boundless love. This is how profoundly music impacts me! It is not merely a collection of sounds but a powerful force that resonates deep within my soul, intricately weaving through the tapestry of my life with an unparalleled depth of impact.
Last weekend, as I reflected on this week’s assignment, I noticed that we were also travelling with our parents after almost two decades. Amidst the yearning for bygone days, laughter and emotional moments, we felt a pull towards revisiting a place steeped in historical importance — The Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar. This locale, etched deeply within my heart, beckoned us to uncover its stories and pay homage to its significance. Stepping onto its hallowed grounds almost 20 years later, with the strains of Vande Mataram, the soul-stirring rendition by A. R. Rahman, echoing through the air, I was overwhelmed by a rush of emotions. Each note of the song seemed to carry the weight of history, evoking memories of sacrifice and resilience indelibly etched in our collective consciousness. It felt like the trees were whispering tales of the past and bearing witness to the unfathomable tragedy that unfolded within these walls. It was amidst this emotional backdrop, surrounded by the echoes of history, that I made the decision to choose this patriotic song to reflect on its significance.
A. R. Rahman, a two-time winner and five-time nominee of the Academy Award, is widely recognized as the person who has redefined contemporary Indian music. His music has a unique quality that consistently gives me shivers down my spine. In 1997, A.R. Rahman released his rendition of India’s national song ‘Vande Mataram,’ spanning 7 minutes and 38 seconds, which I believe is one of the best I have ever heard.
Listening to it amidst the solemn grounds of Jallianwala Bagh was a deeply moving experience. It served as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by our ancestors during the partition era and transported me back to the pain that my grandparents felt while leaving Lahore, now part of Pakistan. Till date, each year on August 15th (our Independence Day), when we sing or listen to Vande Mataram, we recall the stories that our grandparents shared with us about how they came to India with inhibitions, fear, and new dreams, having left everything behind, only to look forward and to make a new home.
As I absorbed the solemn energy of the park with this song playing in the background, it brought back many memories and invoking a sense of reverence and pride for our motherland, and I could not help but be swept away by its stirring melody and the seamless transition from music to the profound lyrics. The poem, originally written by Indian novelist, poet and essayist, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, pays homage to our mother land India and was adopted as the National Song of India in 1937. Walking through the somber corridors, with this melody lingering in the air, we reflected on the events of April 13, 1919. The brutality unleashed by Colonel Reginald Dyer, as he callously opened fire on unarmed civilians, remains a stark reminder of our darkest history. It serves as a stark reminder of the sacrifices made by countless individuals in the fight against colonial oppression. Despite the solemnity of the occasion, there is also a sense of resilience and hope that emanates from the place. It serves as a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the enduring quest for justice and freedom, and perhaps this is why the powerful lyrical notes of “Vande Mataram” serve as the perfect backdrop to our attempts to connect with the essence of this place.
Translated in many languages, “Vande Mataram” is a Sanskrit phrase that means “I praise thee, Mother” or “I bow to thee, Mother” (Singh, 2021). It has been an anthem of the Indian independence movement and continues to hold a special place in the hearts of many Indians as a symbol of national unity and pride. This patriotic song is sung on various important occasions, including Independence Day celebrations and national events. It represents the enduring spirit of love and loyalty towards the motherland. Indian Philosopher, Sri Aurobindo, translated the song into a verse form known as “Mother, I praise thee!” and commented on his own translation that “It is difficult to translate the National Song of India into verse in another language owing to its unique union of sweetness, simple directness and high poetic force” (“Vande Mataram Mantra”, n.d.)
Our First Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, famously proclaimed in his “Tryst with Destiny” speech on the eve of India’s independence that “At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom (Roberts, Anderson, & Chatterji, 2017). And to Life and Freedom, we all woke, yet we cannot forget the countless lives lost and the families torn apart during those tumultuous years of slavery followed by partition. This song encapsulates within it the very breath of freedom that our ancestors cherished post- Independence. “Vande Mataram” consists of multiple stanzas, each expressing reverence, adoration, and praise for the motherland, India. It celebrates India’s natural beauty and cultural richness. The song is structured in a lyrical and poetic manner, and throughout the song, there are recurring themes of devotion and sacrifice for the nation. The lyrics evoke a sense of patriotism and pride in India’s history and heritage while also inspiring hope for a bright and prosperous future (“Vande Mataram Mantra”, n.d.).
The strains of this song evoke a multitude of emotions, from grief and sorrow to resilience and hope. Maybe which is why, in that moment, surrounded by the echoes of history accompanied by the profound lyrics of Vande Mataram echoing in my ears, I felt a strong sense of connection — to my past, to my heritage, and to all those who have come before me. As I emerged from this emotional journey, I realized that while music has the ability to heal, it can also reopen wounds that have yet to fully heal. In that moment of awe and contemplation, I felt a profound mix of both pride and pain — pride in the courage of those who fought for our rights and pain for the immense suffering endured during that dark chapter of history. It was a stark reminder of the helplessness of the time, a time marred by injustice and tragedy. Navigating through that emotional whirlwind with my family was indeed challenging, but it also prompted a deeper question: Is the impact of music subjective on the human mind? Were others in the crowd as deeply affected as I was, or were they simply there for social media content and posts? Well, It is a question that speaks to the complexity of human emotions and experiences. While music has the potential to evoke powerful responses in individuals, the way it resonates with each person can vary greatly (Wong, 1999). Perhaps this is why “Vande Mataram” holds such significance as a national song for me. It not only serves as a powerful anthem that embodies the spirit of our nation but also resonates deeply with my sense of pride and personal identity. However, I also recognize that for those who do not share the same connection to it, “Vande Mataram” may simply be viewed as a beautifully crafted piece of art. Lastly, I would conclude with the words of Leonard Bernstein that music encompasses both syntactical and semantic dimensions and this dual nature of music enables it to communicate complex ideas, evoke powerful emotions, and resonate with listeners on a deeply personal level, making it a powerful and universal form of human expression. (Bernstein, 1976).
Link of the song-
https://youtu.be/LE4dwGS_1q4?si=L-XzAE_US_2mIwkE
