While the third round of COVID, the nasty Omicron, has put a damper on most end of year celebrations including a couple of anniversary and birthday parties in our family, it has given me more time for reflection and for enjoying virtual gifts thanks to the amazing technologies, like YouTube, Zoom, Facebook, Alexa, Spotify, etc. that can bring us all together at least in spirit. They could be uniting forces in society if used as such, but that-alas- requires a culture that is rooted in humanity and human values.
My earliest memories of music were the giant Grundig tape recorder and player in Germany that my father used to constantly listen to. His music taste range was so diverse and enriching, from Western to Eastern classics, to Bollywood and Western pop singers of 50’s and 60’s , Celtic and Arabic music like Um Kalsoom. I think he stopped at the Beatles, if I am not mistaken! Looking back, his love of all music was his love of human diversity in unity. It was a recognition that all cultures were beautiful and expressions through music were to be enjoyed and learned.
Music touches our hearts and lifts our spirits. Whether it is instruments or a beautiful voice, music awakens our spirit and expands the heart. In the 70’s when the first Kawwali (Sufi music of India and Pakistan) groups started to come to US, we were invited to a hotel in Manhattan. I had a fever of 104, and yet I insisted that I go to enjoy the music of Ghulam Farid and sons. Many decades later, I remember when I took the twins – Sonia and Sheema to Turkey. We stayed at a boutique hotel near the Blue Mosque, and were awakened every morning before dawn by the beautiful call to prayer. I was pleasantly surprised that the twins (college students at that time who love to sleep in) did not mind, but in fact relished that privileged opportunity. At the only holiday gathering this holiday season, my grandson number 4 took me aside and played a beautiful piano melody. I was so touched as his little fingers playing so beautifully at such a young age, just as I am when grandson number 2 plays the violin. These days, my samdhan (daughter-in-law’s mother) shares with us all her beautiful voice and songs selected for her audience- I admire the thoughtfulness, preparation and generosity of musicians like her.
So, music is by nature spiritual. And by spiritual I mean that it increases our love for life, for the Creation and for our Creator who created such beauty. The one composer that I am totally obsessed with these days is Sami Yusuf- a total master in a class by himself. While I have been listening to him for 15 years or more, what he has become now is nothing short of a feat in the marriage of music and spirituality. The link below is to his Dubai Expo 2020 concert, which was actually held in November 2021. Every composition is unique and new, and values different cultures and traditions as he does in this sublime concert – featuring music from Andalus (Muslim Spain) to India! I heard an interview with him, where he shared that he loves to display the unity underlying our human diversity- in language, culture, traditions, instruments- what a noble goal!
My most favorite piece is the first one, which starts with a quote from the Quran 49:13
“O Mankind, truly we created you from a male and female, and we made you into peoples and tribes so that you may come to know one another”
And Rumi’s poem “I have Come Alive” …you can forward about 28 minutes in; towards the end, there are kawwali pieces as well which are terrific:
I was dead
I came alive
I once wept
Now I smile
You have lit the fire
I have come alive
Lift me ever higher
I have come alive
May his music continue to inspire us to create a harmonious and flourishing world. Let’s keep lifting each other higher in 2022!
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