Hi reader,

Maybe I should stop saying that it’s been a time since I last wrote. Every time I try to be more active, I get more occupied. Since the last time I came through various topics to write and share my thoughts upon like paradise, options, choices, and many more but either I missed out or just couldn’t complete. Though, when today I finally got time, I have no topic. Isn’t it funny, we always have things in mind but the only moment when we want to have it in the spotlight, we miss them out.

“Joy comes to us in moments–ordinary moments. We risk missing out on joy when we get too busy chasing down the extraordinary.”

Brené Brown

And so finally I talked to a few people and asked what would they like me to write about, and interestingly all of them said “Music”. Honestly, I would have never liked to talk or write about music, and even explained to a few people why I don’t want to. Though, sometimes the thing you most want to avoid chases you until you do it.

Freedom is very special and important for everyone and the longing for it is something that has always been present in every living being. Freedom is not just physical freedom, especially in times like of present world. It has been always more than that like emotional freedom, social freedom, financial freedom and many more.

“Freedom (n.): To ask nothing. To expect nothing. To depend on nothing.”

Ayn Rand

I don’t feel so that I actually need to tell you why while talking about music, suddenly I started to talk about freedom. Yes, music gives me freedom, at least for a moment. Freedom from my thoughts, my aspirations, my expectations, my dreams, my past, my future, and from every belongingness. This is why, it is very tough for me to talk about music, because it may happen that I keep going or just don’t even have a word to say. It brings my very consciousness to present, it makes me alive in a way I can never be, its the time where I can feel more inside than outside. I may be laying on the bed or flying in the air, or travelling in the metro, though I may not be aware of it. I believe it happens with many of us that the music we are listening to presently can tell about the state of our mind, our mood and what are we thinking about. For me, maybe the most generic question of how am I or how am I feeling, my current playlist would explain it better than my words ever could.

In the times of a Pandemic, where the world is trapped inside in its own maze, not just physically (which has already been opened) but also the psychological, emotional, financial and social. When you have an upcoming wedding at home in a few months and this pandemic altogether, having anxiety or panic attacks at home is pretty normal. Adding to that could be the work, personal life, loss of touch with people, and with all these, the only thing one could wish for is freedom, from everything, at least for some time to just be aware of what is the importance of this very moment. And for me, music does it, that’s why in my whole life, for the first time, I was able to compose. Not just 1 but 4 beautiful tracks.

Talking about music is always incomplete without saying anything about the artists. My taste in music has never been limited to a single genre. I have interests basically in every genre other than hip hop and rap (yes I do have interest even in Death Metal). The people who know me, know my all-time love for music by Steven Wilson. Maybe if I can’t imagine my life without music, I can’t imagine music without music from Steven Wilson. His work has always carried some unique relief. To actually understand that music in its true sense is not just a single listen thing, yes you need to play it on loop, and at some moment that note that chord will hit your gut, and you will say “Ahh this has got me”. To attend his concert will be my all-time dream.

Adding to it, there are many more artists like Yanni, Hans Zimmer, AR Rahman, John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Ben Howard, Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, Christina Perri, Adele, Ellie Goulding, Armin Van Buuren, and maybe many many more, who I have various playlists of and listen as my days go. The recent additions will be Eternal Eclipse, Agnes Obel, and Blueneck. Though, the love for piano and the classics are unmatchable. Listening to some classics like Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata, Mozart’s Rondo Alla Turca, Pachelbel’s Canon, Yiruma’s River flows in you, Ludovico’s Una Mattina and Devinier, and few more will always have a special place.

See, that’s what I said earlier, either I will keep talking about or won’t say a word. My family, friends and my colleagues (and maybe now my readers) know what music is for me. Honestly, I haven’t even said what it is for me. Explaining music in one blog is like talking about the ocean while holding and watching a glass of water. It is so vast and beautiful that the only thing I can say about is, that the only thing which I could say happened best to me and will always be the best is music.

Just like music gives me freedom, similarly, it should be something for you too, maybe writing or reading or cooking or dancing. Friend, never ever leave it. You may be a CEO or President someday, but the only thing that would still give you the freedom and life is that only hobby.

Take Care!
– Navneet