New Delhi:Remember the goosebumps you got when Indira Gandhi drove down Rajpath on Republic Day to the haunting strains of "Ai Mere Watan Ke Logon"? Or this homily from the late comedian and singer Robin Williams: "You know what music is? God's little reminder that there's something else besides us in this universe; harmonic connection between all living beings, everywhere, even the stars."
Music is never far from our lives but gives your adrenaline an extra boost this World Music Day (June 21) with your favourite melodies and some interesting reading. Remember, it's also the day of the Summer Solstice – so make the most of it!
"Lata Mangeshkar...in her own voice" by Nasreen Munni Kabir
In over six decades, Lata Mangeshkar has recorded more songs than anyone else in the world and yet, despite her extraordinary fame, she is a deeply private person This book of fascinating conversations between Lata Mangeshkar and Nasreen Munni Kabir, takes us into the world of India's most gifted singer and reveals the person behind the voice that has touched the lives of billions.
"Dagars & Dhrupad - Divine Legacy" by Humra Quraishi
This book provides glimpses of the rich heritage of this haunting form of music that has enthralled audiences worldwide. It traces the history of the illustrious Dagar family through 20 generations of dhrupad singers and highlights their distinctive approach to this unique form of music.
"Nilina's Song - The Life of Naina Devi" by Asha Rani Mathur
Through extensive interviews with her family and friends, the author traces the saga of a woman who re-invented herself and her persona, from the young Nilina, grand-daughter of Keshub Chandra Sen, steeped in the philosophy of the Brahmo Samaj, to Rani Nina Ripjit Singh, wife of an aristocrat of Punjab, adapting herself to a different kind of sophistication and refinement and then, as circumstances changed, to Naina Devi, seeker of music, who found her peace and her vocation in the world of the performance arts.
"Songs of Tagore" by Aruna Chakravarti
This collection of publication of 112 select songs of Rabindranath Tagore is primarily for Indian and non-Indian listeners who have no access to the original language of the Poet, but enjoy listening to his songs and would like to understand what the song says.
"Beethoven and Friends" by Kishore Chatterjee
What is the fate of Western classical music today? This book presents the history of Western classical music through the unusual stories of the many lives that shaped it.
READ:International Yoga Day: History, Origin and Development of Yoga