Fusion Music - Bridge from Past to the Future

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Being an immigrant from a South Indian traditional Brahmin family,  I have always had a thing for Carnatic music , and Vedic Chants.  When I landed in USA,  wherever I went, in the cab, in the neighbour’s apartment , in the car radio, all I heard was foot stomping, catchy RnB music.

Soon  Shakira, Beyonce,  Christina , Brittany, MJ  were ingrained within me.  But this too was short lived. Soon my restless soul caught up with me, and urged me to explore newer horizons of music.

What has always fascinated me, is the Jagadeka Kutumbam concept, where the ideology of bringing together all cultures, all religions is encouraged. Music is no exception.  Fusion music, has been  tried and experimented with ,to a varying degree of success.  Bollywood, Tollywood, Mollywood  movies  have tried various combinations  of the fusion music conundrum.  Full length  movies like  the Hindi movie , Morning Raaga, or a staple of fusion or remix songs of the popular  genres  of songs are common placed nowadays.

So, I decided to explore, if there was any such effort of fusion music for the Vedic chants, and or Carnatic music. Youtube,  incidentally, is a boon for all music lovers , a treasure house of  music videos  available free of cost , in this new age of commercialization. Of course,  having a computer and an internet connection is not a luxury anymore for most of us who have migrated to the western countries.

And believe me!!  I came across a mind blowing collection of fusion music. Sacred Chants series (Vol 1 – 6 , and growing), Meditative Vibes , Carnatic fusion music, both vocal and instrumental. When listening to these, a whole new world of music opens up before you, you can explore the unending mysteries of music.  Even though my Dad always used to say there is music in every sound that can be heard,  it is now , through my foray into fusion music,  that I realize that sound of rain,  sound of the forests provide a mystic platter of peace, for the mind.

Whenever, I am tired at work, or when driving,  fusion music relaxes me , while still providing the wonderful confluence of my  traditional home (in India) and my new home (in the USA). Also, I have made a lot of friends, through opening up their and my horizons with sharing of music.

As the saying in Sanskrit goes “Sisuvu Vedti, Pasuvu Vedti, Vedti Gana Rasam Phaniti”, Children, Animals and Snakes also enjoy music. So too, we humans!! Music is indeed ,the food for the Soul!!!!