Imperativeness of Learning Classical Music

In the "good old days" as it used to be called , the sound of music being practiced by children, was wafted along the streets of all cultivated homes, both east & west. Who can forget that music was one of the mandatory accomplishments of a lady or gentleman, in Regency England, as shown in Jane Austen's "Sense & Sensibility."? Especially in south India, learning music was "de rigeur" for marriageable young girls.

The coming of the radio, was in a way, the beginning of the end of music being performed in the home. The radio & later TV made learning music redundant by piping music into the home. The final nail in the coffin was driven by the so-called female education, which pushed girls into schools & colleges, not to get educated, but alas, eventually convert them into economically productive units. "Lakshmi" was the adored female deity not "Saraswati"!

William Congreve, in his 1697 play "The Mourning Bride", wrote "Music hath charms to sooth the savage breast." Now these lines assume ominous overtones as the fringe elements professing a religion, which is said to be against music, especially instrumental, as it is supposed to be "haram" (forbidden), are indulging in violent acts which exhibit their "savage breast". It is another matter that many internationally celebrated Indian instrumentalists, following the same religion, have brought renown to the nation, one even going as far as to say "Swar hi Ishwar hai." (Music is God).

Even China, which during their ill-advised "cultural revolution" destroyed musical instruments, have come to their senses & producing world-class virtuosi now.