DyingNote

Music lore has it that the old masters of Indian classical music could gather dense clouds in the sky and move them to release precious rain with an intense exposition of specific ragas. Recent legend has it that the 20th century master, Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar did just that with his rendition in raga Amruthavarshini. A legend in my family – my mother’s side, that is – also has it that the very same master musician’s proposal to wed my grandmother was politely but firmly declined by her father. Good thing too because I wouldn’t have been born and what a loss to the world that would’ve been >;-> Incidentally, my grandmother went on to marry another musician, a less known one. I’d also like to place on record there were times when I’d seen the late ancient look at me gravely and long with I suspect regret on her mind on what might have been and what had come to pass. Tough luck, sweety, and bless your soul. But here I am. And I continue to indulge in the national obsession with the failed rains. I do not know how much truth there is in the legend – I see no evidence of musicians these days of such prowess. So I’ll feebly put together a rainsong list in what is at best vain hope. (more…)