Hindustani Classical Music

Mehfil: The Concert- A Vision Sublime

May a note (sur) emerge

of beauty to divine,

that the horizon opens

to reveal what lies behind.

May a phrase (aalaap) take shape

with an effet so bright, 

that everything is gloriously bathed

in its magical light.

May a cascade of notes (taan)

spurt out with no restrain

and quench every thirst

like the blissful rain.

May a pattern of notes (srgam)

breeze out with a wavelike pace,

that would make the wind forget

its own eternal race.

May everything fall into a beat (laya)

swinging with natural grace

leading the conscious mind 

into a peaceful recess.

May one's performance gain strength

from a rhythm (taal) so sublime,

that the balance that it has lent

lasts for one's lifetime

May the relief-beat (sam) fall 

with such a sharp emphasis,

the soul finds a basis.

May the melody (raag) blossom forth

in such a luxuriant manner,

with its fluttering banner.

May the song creative (kyaal), so romantic

stream forth with such a fervour,

that at once it becomes the Taj

on the banks of Yamuna river.

May the charming love song (thumri)

display moods, in colours immensely vibrant,

the arc of thy sky as it were,

the rainbow radiant.

May a lyric (geet) be musically rendered 

in a tune with so much feeling

it conveys all the meaning.

May a prayer (bhajan) be sung 

filled with deep devotion

the great Unqualified understood

the riddle needing no solution.

May one get an audience (shrotaa)

attuned to harmony and unison

making Non-Duality an experience

realized in intense communion.

May the concert (mehfil) become 

an ecstasy, sublimely divine,

rendered immensely sacred

like the inner sanctum of a shrine.

Dr. Prabha Atre