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. 2016 Jan-Dec;14(1):229-239.
doi: 10.4103/0973-1229.193070.

What Music Means To Me

Ajai R Singh  1
Affiliations

What Music Means To Me

Ajai R Singh. Mens Sana Monogr. 2016 Jan-Dec.

Abstract

The author talks about two defining influences in his musical career: his father, whom he addressed as 'Pitaji' and his guru, Shri Vinayak Kunte, fondly known as Kunte-guruji to his students. Pitaji taught him, by example and precept, what emotive singing meant and the nuances of poetry appreciation and Urdu pronunciation (talaffuz). Kunte-guruji acquainted him with the richness and profundity of Hindustani Classical Music and the perfection of musical notes or "sur". He also showed, by example, the need to lead a simple, uncomplicated lifestyle to experience the divinity inherent in music. Finally, the author also learned from Kunte-guruji the need to pass on one's learning to others and go out of one's way to do so.

Keywords: Father's influence; Guruji's influence; Hindustani classical music; Kunte-guruji; Longfellow; Pitaji; Poetic license; Poetry appreciation; Shailendra; Shakeel Badayuni; Shelley; Sur perfection; Talaffuz; Urdu diction.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: None declared.

References

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    1. Shelley PB. To a Skylark. Poetry Foundation. [Last accessed on 2015 Oct 08]. Available from: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems-and-poets/poems/detail/45146 .
    1. Singh AR. YouTube Channel. [Last accessed on 2016 Apr 08]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp7rPVl3YtzOs8VYu7QdecQ .
    1. YouTube: Bachpan Ke Din Bhulana Na Dena. Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni. Singers Lata Mangeshkar & Shamshad Begum. Music Naushad, Film Deedar. 1951. [Last accessed on 2015 Oct 08]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTNzuUGMmUY .
    1. YouTube. Hain Sabse Madhur Woh Geet. Lyrics: Shailendra. Singer Talat Mahmood. Music Shankar Jaikishan. Film Patita, 1953, Bombay Talkies. [Last accessed on 2015 Oct 08]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Woq2e_3zSsU .