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World Music day: June 21
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Columnists:
Sangeetha
Sridhar,
Dr.Rajan Philips,
Hasan Kamoonpuri
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Reflections-By
Dr Rajan Philips
World Music day: June 21
( This
motivational article was published in Oman Observer ,
one of the leading Newspapers in Oman. The article is
reproduced with the permission of the author )
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The World Music day also known as
The Fête de la Musique, is a Music festival taking place on June 21.
The idea was first broached in 1976 by American musician Joel Cohen, then
employed by the national French radio station . Cohen proposed an all-night
music celebration at the moment of the summer solstice. The idea was taken up by
French Music and Dance director Maurice Fleuret for Minister of Culture Jack
Lang in 1981 and first took place in 1982.
Why
World Music Day is celebrated?
- Goal of
World Music Day festival is to make propaganda of music in
various manners.
- Novice and
expert musicians are motivated to give their performances in
the streets.
- Several
music concerts are arranged at free of cost.
- This
concert provides the platform for the public attaining all
the musical genres.
- Though
it's not mandatory that musicians also play at free of cost,
but many of them do so.
- There is
no restriction for noise during the night of this music
festival and it is also allowed by French law.
- The
musicians without getting any fright play their music whole
night and neighbors do not have the right to call the cop
due to loudness of music.
Article: The
Power of Music
(This article was published in Observer,
Leading News paper, Oman )
Reflections: By Dr Rajan
Philips -rajanph@yahoo.co.uk -Music is universal and an indispensable
element in this world. Even before man appeared, nature and music were
intertwined. Every breeze that blew through leaves, made them rustle. The
chirping of birds and crickets, the melody of the koels, nightingales and
cuckoos, the gurgle of the mountain stream and the roar of the mighty waterfall
were a few of the myriad forms of music that reverberated on the earth.
Going forward, every stage of civilisation and culture has been inextricably
associated with music. The observance today of World Music Day provides us an
opportunity to reflect on the rich legacy of music that enlivens and enriches
our life.
World Music Day is celebrated annually on June 21, which marks the summer
solstice (and the longest day of the year). The initiative began in France
in1982 and Paris rightly remains the focal point of the celebrations.
The French call it the Fête de la Musique, a major annual cultural event for the
city and marked by unrestrained night-long festivities. Hundreds of amateur and
professional musicians perform every kind of music in the streets, bars, railway
stations, boats and cafés of Paris.
On a more sober note, classical concerts, lectures by leading composers, musical
contests and exhibitions are held. All performances are free. The Day is now
observed in more than 110 countries.
These celebrations reiterate that music is with us in times of sorrow or joy and
in every season and clime. We celebrate joyous occasions like victories,
weddings and anniversaries with lively and spirited music. A child is put to
peaceful sleep by the mother’s lullaby. The anthems of countries reinforce
national identity, pride and loyalty. Likewise, soft and slow music can soothe
us and lift us out of our depression.
I recall reading about the band that played on the Titanic. They entertained the
passengers on the maiden voyage with cheerful tunes that added to the merriment.
But as the ship began sinking to its tragic doom, the band calmly stayed on and
switched over to spiritual songs that filled the desperate passengers with a
measure of courage and comfort.
That brings me to the vital aspect of the healing power of music. Light and
melodious music reduces muscle tension, decreases heart rate, lowers blood
pressure and help us sleep better.
Music has very specific therapeutic effects. It is used to treat prematurely
born babies. Listening to music during chemotherapy reduces anxiety and tension.
One hospital in Hawaii reportedly carried out the bold experiment of exposing a
patient to piano music inside the operation theatre during the entire surgery.
Don Campbell in his book The Mozart Effect shows how music brings relief in a
variety of ailments like depression, cancer, autism and Alzheimer’s.
During World War II doctors exposed wounded and shell-shocked soldiers to music
to enhance their rehabilitation rates. Today, the systematic use of this healing
power of music is growing. That explains the remarkable presence of 5,000
registered and certified music therapists, in leading hospitals in the US alone.
Great music pleases the ears, stimulates the mind and nurtures the soul. It
instils hope, expresses our joys, kindles our love and soothes us when we are
lost in despair. Music is truly an oasis in the journey of life through a
desert.
Quotes:
l Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life”
— Red Auerbach
l He who sings scares away his woes. — Cervantes
l Music is enough for a lifetime, but a lifetime is not enough for music — S
Rachmaninov
( http://main.omanobserver.om/
)
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