Breaking the barriers of language with MUSIC!

I was a part of Faculty-Students exchange programme between Chowgule College, Goa and Waseda University, Tokyo. During this programme, I performed in an event called Indian Cultural Night, organized with an aim to impart a better understanding of India to the Japanese students and teachers.
I sang an invocation song at the start of the event, dedicated to Goddess Saraswati (Hindu Goddess of Knowledge and 64 Arts); made a presentation on India which covered different aspects of the country from history, architecture, religion to politics, economics, cuisine and climate; chanted the Ganapati Stotra (sanskrit religious composition in praise of Lord Ganesh); presented an Hindustani Classical Vocal Recital and also performed Kunbi (a Goan Tribal dance) and Mando with a group of students.

I was a bit apprehensive as far as the understanding was concerned because I was singing in a language totally unknown to the audience. After the event a group of students and teachers came to me and they had no words to express the joy they felt after listening to Indian Classical Music. One of them, Ms. Iizuka was literally in tears, she being a Japanese traditional harp player could even appreciate some universal technical elements of voice and music like the smoothness of notes, melodious patterns etc.

It was for the first time that my art was appreciated at the International level. This is an experience that I am going to cherish for my lifetime.

This made me realise the unique ability that Music has, of touching a person's soul. Being an art, it can break away the barriers of language and give  happiness to the listener an immense satisfaction of being able to reach the hearts of the audience to the performer.