“Why do we as human beings have a tendency to cry especially when we listen to a good piece of music or read a good piece of text?”

‘Art is like an emotional slap!’

II MA English | by Ganesh Aadhitya S

It was a musical afternoon for all of us - II MA English kids!

Nobel Laureate Pablo Neruda asks - “In what language does rain fall over tormented cities?" - highlighting the universality of the essential Human condition - i.e. Rain does not discriminate between people. The same can be said for Music as well. Good Music appeals directly to the emotions of the individuals indiscriminately. As with the best Literature, music speaks most urgently to the present and the overarching past.

Angela kickstarted the discussion by posing the intriguing question to the class, “Why do we as human beings have a tendency to cry especially when we listen to a good piece of music or read a good text?”

Curious Jean extends the question - “When we are happy, we listen to happy songs; and when we are sad, we listen to sad songs. I wanna know why?”

Speaking on the power music holds over our emotions, Angela made a striking statement - “Art is like an emotional slap”.

Music's mighty association with memory is undisputed. Memorable moments in one's life are often adorned with different tunes.

Allan Winston's blooming face when he linked music with the “special person” in his life stands testament to this fact. He named “Nee Kavithaigala” by Pradeep Kumar as his current favourite.

Anupriya had an equally interesting observation to make. She said, “When we are happy, the rhythm matters. But when Sadness overcomes, it's the lyrics that speak to our soul.”

Dr Rufus here draws a comparison between Tragedy and Comedy, throwing light on how Shakespeare chiefly used verse for Tragedy, and prose for his comedies. 

When Dr. Rufus asked her if it was the music or the lyrics that charmed her the most, Anu said, that it was a 50-50 blend. Citing from a lovely Hindi number, she said that, the song had that great appeal on her not only because of the lyrics but also because of the music!

According to Cathlin, It's the “music that appeals the most” compared to the lyrics.

Gayathri made a vital point - “Music is a kind of therapy that can transform lives. I often overcome my sadness by listening to energetic songs”.

Cathy asks what Gayathri does with the “leftover sadness?” (another amazing phrase!)

The ever-energetic Sunyogita brought in the highly emotional bonding scene between the mother and the little kid from the blockbuster film “KGF: Chapter 1”, where the background score helps us connect with the characters. She further emphasizes on the role music plays in the trending Netflix series “Stranger Things''. Korean Pop music is her Jam!

Abishek recounts how a song he listened to - “Appa Un Kaiya Pidichu” - took him down memory lane when he was setting up his room at Selaiyur Hall. He further read out a few lines to the class, showing how music is immune to time:

“அப்பா கையை புடிச்சி நடந்தா தெரு அழகாக‌ மாறும்

அவர் ஆசப்பட்டு கொஞ்சும் போது மீசமுடி கீறும்”

Malar then beautifully describes Crying as “an essential emotion” that highlights one's humaneness, because it helps us connect with our fellow human beings.

“Harris Jayaraj,” exclaims Haleem when talking about the powerful BGM and the “intensity” music creates that reverberates throughout our “being”.

Basilea then recollected with a nostalgic fondness about her Dad, quoting two lines from her favourite song. She was almost in tears when she recollected the lines, and added that, Abishek’s quote made her so emotional yet again, because of the impactful lines - 

“அப்பா கையை புடிச்சி நடந்தா தெரு அழகாக‌ மாறும்

அவர் ஆசப்பட்டு கொஞ்சும் போது மீசமுடி கீறும்”

[Trans: ‘When I hold my father’s hand while walking across the street, even the street suddenly becomes beautiful…’]

“We are not theorising Literature, but we are living literature,” observes Dr Rufus. In this regard, sir introduced two Romantic poets into the already stimulating mix of ideas - Wordsworth and Shelley.

“The music in my heart I bore,” says the mesmerized Wordsworth hearing the melancholic song of “The Solitary Reaper” that stayed with the poet “long after it was heard no more”.

Similarly, the melody-filled flight of the little Skylark fills P.B.Shelley's heart to the brim with unadulterated bliss that eludes Human Beings as “Our sweetest songs are those that tell of saddest thought.”

Pinky made an exciting observation about how music creates a happy mood for the photoshoots.

Bhavya shared her brave journey of overcoming Depression with enormous resolve and how music was a part of her lionhearted journey. She highlighted A.R. Rahman's moving “Oru Dheivam Thandha Poove” from the movie Kannathil Muthamittal (கன்னத்தில் முத்தமிட்டால்) as closest to her heart. Further, she encouraged people to empathise more to make the world a better place.

Adding to Bhavya's point, Rufus sir stresses the toughness of spirit essential to overcome obstacles in life. Just as how “Storms make the oak grow deeper roots,” we are all a work in progress on the path of becoming a “capable human being”. He illustrates this point with Lord Tennyson's “Home they brought their warriors dead”. The ‘summer tempest tears’ will ultimately help us gain mastery over complications.

Musicals fascinate the musician in Sankey. He personally defines it to be an “emotion-stealer”. He names Flute to be his first choice musical instrument.

Ganesh is obsessed with the peppy Malayalam song “Darshana,” which he associates with a particularly fond childhood memory. He would gladly credit the visual appeal of the proposal scene to the musicality of the groovy melody.

Franz Kafka, when asked about what a book does for the soul, says - “A book must be the axe for the frozen sea inside us.” Similarly, Allan feels that music aims to “unfreeze” us. Allan's Kafka-like statement of Music unfreezing and melting our “being” perfectly summed up the discussion.

Sruthi made yet another interesting observation – that, sometimes, even without being swayed by the charms of the music or the lyrics, we feel we get the goosebumps all over us. That’s another enigma, she said.

Finally, the enriching interactive session propelled by Angela boldly underlines that Music is an art form that deserves to be celebrated.

And, as literary beings, “music is the food of our love” and it will continue to play on majestically.

Teacher’s Note: Thank you dear Ganesh for these lovely, precise and amazing inputs – preserved for posterity! And thank you dear II MA kids for your spontaneous, lively and vibrant interactions. It was a real literary high for all of us in class today!

References

1. https://www.themarginalian.org/2014/06/06/kafka-on-books-and-reading/