PENNY PUB | WRITING PROMPT

I Owe My Mental Health to Music

Life is a song, love forms the lyrics

My first introduction to music was probably my mom’s melodious voice singing slokas and songs to me. Later, when I was older, she had this cute habit of singing her words to me when we talked.

With the legacy of several trained singers in the family, I was enrolled in a Carnatic Classical Vocal music class at 5, and I remember my mom often telling me that with my music, I would never be bored. I didn’t have to depend on the radio to listen to music as I could sing. Plus, it would be a great stress reliever and keep me healthy.

She was right. I recall how she teased me about turning on the ceiling fan and music system when I entered the house . . . and if there were a power cut, I would simply break into song. I love singing as I work in the kitchen, as I chop veggies or roast or fry to make my masalas from scratch.

Having a playlist for every occasion and situation ensures that I am never lonely. I do miss her singing, but I am grateful her voice seems to be ringing in my ears, especially when I need it the most.

Every song I’ve heard and know holds a memory for me, sometimes pleasant, sometimes not so pleasant. I also associate music and songs with people. For every person I know, I have a song for them, like a mnemonic.

One of my pleasantest childhood memories is of Sundays at home, when, after lunch, my uncle would get the record player and our stack of vinyl records out and play Cliff Richard songs, followed by classical music with songs by legends such as M S Subbulakshmi, Juthika Roy, Pankaj Mullick, K L Saigal, etc. Then we would all take turns to sing. This was followed by delicious snacks and coffee.

I remember how, every year during Navratri, my aunt would write down the songs she wanted to sing that year. The tradition was, that we’d dress in our finest and visit family and friends who had invited us to see their doll displays, sing, then receive sweets and return home. I still have the book I’ve written my own stash of songs and enjoy singing them.

During power outages, we loved going up to the terrace where it was cooler and playing anthakshari, a song tag game where one sings a song and the next person to sing must sing a song whose first syllable begins with the last syllable of the previous person’s song. I’ll never forget how emotional she would get when I sang Mother of Mine and Nobody’s Child in the 7th grade.

When audio cassettes came into my life, I was excited to discover that I could sing and record myself. Among the three hundred-odd tapes I still have, at least a few have some homemade music. That will be a surprise for whoever gets around to listening to them.

One of my favorite pastimes in high school was setting Bollywood film songs to mythological stories with my classmates. I think I still have the notebook where we rewrote the epic “Shakuntala” with appropriate songs for each scene! I am still in touch with some of these classmates, and we have a good laugh reminiscing.

​Music rules my life — I have a playlist for every routine task and a song for every situation. I am blessed that my son and husband are equally passionate about music and sing all the time.

One of my all-time favorite love songs is “Tere mere sapne” from the revolutionary 1965 movie “Guide.”

This song is very special to me because after Sury asked me to marry him on my birthday in 1996, he sent me a card with the lyrics of this song. Unaware, I sent him a card too, with the same song. We were amazed when we received each other’s cards on the same day, and I knew life was going to be great, no matter what. And it is.

The Hindi lyrics are beautiful — here is a rough translation for you.

Your dreams and mine Are now of the same hue Wherever the paths may lead We’re together.

My heart and yours were destined to meet Just as the flowers are destined to bloom when spring arrives Oh my soulmate

Your sorrows are mine My joys are yours Your two eyes are my sun and moon

No matter what obstacles the world presents We will never drift apart Once your hand is in mine It is forever

These days, after we enjoy our morning coffee together, we end up listening to a couple of songs before we go about our days. I truly cherish this tradition. We enjoy singing together.

When I go about my housework, I pretend I am a rockstar (oh wait, I am one!), and my mop doubles up as a mic or guitar. My eyes fill up at the thought of my mom calling me at work just to tell me there was a Prince song on TV and hold the receiver near the speaker.

My favorite compliment is from when my son was a toddler. One of the lullabies I sang to him was playing on TV, and he thought it was me singing.

I cannot imagine a life without my music. Thanks to the privilege of working from home, I always have music on.

Thanks for reading! ❤

Thank you, Kim Kelly Stamp, for the wonderful prompt!