Healing..with Music

#SS8/2020

#artsilk

#veenafirst

#aucklandnzss

#saraswathiveena

#womenofsareespeak

Disclaimer. Not my usual upbeat cheery post.
Feeling down, restless.
I put it down to withdrawal symptoms.
Spent december, january chilling with the girls, visiting beaches, watching movies at theatres, at home, eating out and in, having midnight snacks and DMCs (deep and meaningful conversations).
Now, it’s a sharp heavy drop to reality.
Work is on, since early January.
Work’s good, my 20, 85, 93 year olds are positive and feeling empowered, am looking forward to awareness sessions with years 10 and 11, transitioning students and a university’s optometry school students, amongst others.
Yet, there’s been something unsettling, a sadness I can’t shake off, let alone brush off – a tightness in the chest, an ache around my shoulders.
Classes with my Guru are ongoing. Thankfully, once I held the veena, I felt a little less uneasy, a little more at peace, relaxed and grounded.
Classes with my students have commenced. Listening to their old lessons, mock scolding them, setting homework, fresh goals, got the mood thermometer to swing a little higher.
And this morning, being a public holiday, I practised with my daughter, taught her part of a new krithi, explored a raga or two, and felt a whole lot better.
So maybe, I need my music, my teaching, to keep me mentally healthy, spiritually sane.
Draped a simple bright magenta art silk saree with gold buttis, green and gold borders and pallu, for my class the day before. Reflecting my simple state of mind. Highlighted by a red, purple, orange checked silk blouse, with red piping to up the spirits.
On a side note, the evening before my niece left, the girls produced a brief cover of All I Want. Please have a listen. Yes, I know this is not Carnatic music, but it’s music anyway. The link to the youtube video is in the comments. Please ignore the fact that they are jamming in their jammies in the guest room and the other one will crack you up – she’s on her phone, unperturbed by the video being recorded.

The girls’ cover.