Music and serenity
2008-03-12 by Web Master
Evening performance with the Raj Academy every month at the TVU Rotunda
In the middle: Surjit Singh and his Sarangi
Music touches each of us in different ways. Our mood might be lifted by an upbeat song, we might reminisce on hearing a few chords from our childhood, or have a soundtrack stuck in our heads the whole day. In this way, music colours and changes our world, and skilled musicians can conjure up our deepest desires, soothe our minds, or speak to us in a way that is beyond words.
When we listen to a beautiful performance, we take part of its beauty with us, we too become inspired, and we in turn inspire others. This is the idea behind the opening of the Rotunda on January 31st, 2008, as a performance space, where the music elevates and eases the mind and soul.
On a clear, cobalt blue evening, we sat in silent expectation for the formal opening of the Rotunda. Dr. Christopher Batchelor (head of London College of Music TVU), Mr Nirpal Singh Shergill, and Professor Surinder Singh (head of Raj Academy) spoke of the inspiring work by musicians of the Raj Academy.
Surrounded by soft, draping fabric, we heard two performances. Ranbir Singh played the Taus, an impressive peacock shaped instrument that sang sweetly and powerfully. Surjit Singh performed on the Sarangi, a thousand year old instrument which sounds hauntingly like the human voice, able to produce "hundred colours" - a literal translation of its name - in the hands of a master.
For two brief hours the audience was immersed in music that came from the heart, an experience that changed us, like the addition of a single grain of sugar sweetens a whole glass of water. We look forward to the next performance, and we welcome everyone to join us and share in this beautiful experience.
Music performances at the TVU Rotunda is on the last Thursday of every month, starting at 6pm. The performance is free to all students and guests of TVU. Write to info@rajacademy.com for more information.