There is as much likelihood of the ‘Utopian world’ becoming a reality as the galactic voyages of the Star Trek series. Bigots, ultranationalists, historical grievances, overambitious generals and arms suppliers continue to initiate civil wars, military coups and battles in many countries (foreign powers often add fuel to the fire). Though India is not as peaceful as Iceland, violent upheavals on a national scale are quite unlikely to happen here because of the mind soothers- high prevalence of religiosity, melodious music, yummy food, frequent festivals, religion named cricket, masala movies, candid OTT serials, gossiping about nears and dears and time pass social media. Humming of songs is a national obsession. We croon everywhere, except when attending a funeral. Some say in jest- bathroom singing developed here as an ingenious solution for doorless bathrooms in the days of yore. A surgeon might sing ‘bahon ke darmiyan’ reflexly, while doing a surgery. If the patient is being operated upon under spinal anaesthesia, he or she might overhear the surgeon and have a sinister thought- Is the surgeon concentrating on the surgery? Constant humming may also get on the nerves of the family members- someone’s meditation can turn into agitation.
Most Indians acquire a saintly disposition at dawn. This helps us make amends for the sins (especially lying and subterfuge) likely to be committed during the rest of the day. Once I was driving my fully occupied car unenthusiastically at the crack of dawn because I had to attend a social event in a nearby city just for the sake of societal norms. I was feeling sleepy and there was some risk of the car turning into a steel coffin. So, I put on an energetic movie song. My friend’s father reacted as if I had pricked his bottom with a pin. ‘Put on bhajan/kirtan. Stop this chalu filmy song immediately.’ I complied in an instant. Later, I came to know that he called me ‘adharmi’, behind my back. Of course, I agree partially with this. As a counterbalance, I will have to do multiple good deeds of high impact to reserve my seat in heaven.
‘Generation gap’ can also lead to ‘song wars’, especially in vehicles. Myself and my better-half have signed the ‘Treaty of Ludhiana’ with our offspring. On the onward car journey, songs of their choice get played and we get to decide on the return journey. People have scored noteworthy goals with the aid of songs. Long ago, a friend of mine sang ‘baharo phool barsao, mera mehboob aaya hai’ in a family gathering and the dazzling damsel he coveted made way to his heart on a red carpet of emotions. If the bride sings for the bridegroom at the marriage celebration, his love hormones go through the roof. Nowadays, breakups aren’t rare. There are medicines for heart attacks but none for broken hearts. But ghazals like ‘Hum ko kis ke gham ne maara, ye kahaani fir sahi’ and songs like ‘The break-up song’ can act like Fevikwick.
Karaoke, the Japanese invention, makes a common person feel like a star. If a karaoke group becomes too big, there is more clapping at the end of a singer’s performance but every singer gets to sing fewer songs. ‘Drink and sing’ can lead to complications- though not as serious as ‘drink and drive’. There can be sudden onset of overconfidence in one’s singing. Sing a song or lend an ear to a song- embrace music to keep vices and high blood pressure at bay!