learning indian music

Music from India is a path of eternal learning. In this path the concept of "continuously learning" is one of the key aspects to understand from the beginning, before undertaking this magic journey. This is so because in Indian music we always remain a student, we never stop learning.

Manish talks about the journey of learning music from India, including singing, instruments, its language, Mantra singing, and many other important dimensions:

- the cultural input where the student will also be representing a whole tradition behind the teaching
- the importance of the strong foundation in the sense that music from India follows the lineage system, therefore, the main ingredient should be love: doing it for the love of it and nothing else; this love will automatically generate respect
- the key ingredients in learning arts and music from India are trust and patience
- the connection with the essence of this music can only be learned from a proper trained teacher and experienced musician; making the source of learning the first key aspect of the process

How the learning of music happens in India and how it happens in the West is really "East and West", meaning completely opposite in the system and in the approach. Though this gap will never meet, and that is ok, it is important that the student at least becomes aware of the cultural aspect of India: this will help the process of learning in the right direction and with the right attititude.

When one is learning music in India, one is breathing the music in all aspects and situations that emerge in the surroundings. Meaning, we breath music! ...through the rhythm of the streets, the colors, the sounds, the energy. This should try to be incorporated as much as possible for people learning around the world who are not in the atmosphere of India. Remaining in the "mahol" of music, in the atmosphere of music is one of the key aspects of learning.

And last but not least, knowing and remembering that in India we are disciples forever. No Pandit, Ustad, Master, Guru or music genius from India will ever say "I am a master", "I have arrived." And their lies its beauty, its power, its heritage.

More details, videos and information about learning music from India with Manish Vyas: www.manishvyas.com/lessons

Amano Manish, a gifted Mohan Veena (slide guitar) player from India disciple of Brij Bushan Kabra, interviews Manish Vyas. They talk about the journey of learning, composing and presenting music from India. A very interesting conversation for those fascinated by the world of Indian arts and the different genres of Indian music: classical, spiritual, Sufi and other.

In this pleasant conversation, they talk about their beginnings in music, arts, expressing and composing music, the skills required to be trained – and the influence of Osho in their musical path. In Indian music there is a whole journey of learning which never ends, a journey of performing where it it’s not about the performer but about the music and a journey of creativity which is enhanced along the path in different ways and through different experiences.

“The focus of creating and sharing music should always be on enjoying what one is doing, without thinking of achieving anything in particular.” Manish Vyas

It is also discussed the spreading of Mantra around the world using it in music and the tendency of distortion in its public presentation; together with the importance and responsibility of putting the right music to a sacred genre like Mantra.

The importance in connecting with the right music and the right source lies in the possibility to discover and relate to the true essence of this millenary culture from India.

“The art in Indian arts and music is to remain open and available and becoming empty like a hollow bamboo – then the music can play through you. Versatility is currently the dimension of life.” Manish Vyas

Manish Vyas: www.manishvyas.com
Amano Manish (interviewer): www.amanomanish.com

If you go to any musical gathering in India, you will see that the playing of Harmonium sounds completely different from what most people have been exposed to in the west. Naturally, to learn anything from a foreign culture takes more effort, more dedication, more time - but one should commit to that process if one would like to learn any art or instrument. Commitment and lots of patience has always been the number one element when learning music from India, and Harmonium, just as any other instrument from India, is not an exception; as it will also follow the roots of music from India.

For music to be harmonic, it is essential that the body and the soul of what is being presented meet. For this to happen, one key element is to learn from a reliable source, from someone who has been trained and is capable of representing that culture decently. Because some people in the west don't know what is the original sound of Indian music and Harmonium itself, they believe what they see as being presented... but many then go to India and they're shocked to see how it all sounds completely different! It is not their fault, but for their own benefit, there should be a capability to discern between what is genuine and what not. That happens in all fields. Then, it's up to the practitioner what he/she wants to choose. An unforgivable sin is when people start teaching Harmonium wrongly - this is cultural appropriation and cultural distortion; in this case, with an instrument. 

www.manishvyas.com/harmonium

Learning music, and many other forms of arts in India is quite a different experience and requires a whole different approach and mindset than in the western learning path. I used to travel from Pune to Mumbai for hours in the slow and crowded trains to take my music lessons regularly, just because i knew the value of my teacher. And I would just get the direct attention of the teacher for about ten minutes each class... and I was very happy with that ! In six years, maybe the teacher told me two times, "good Manish!" and that was also perfectly fine. Nothing else was expected.  There were no expectations of any kind... just absorbing as much as possible the learning, under the proper guidance.

In India a lot is learnt by just being in the atmosphere of the Guru, the music Guru in this case. And it's not even a thought to give a certificate, as what is important is the understanding, not to hang a paper on the wall.

Another drawback in the process of learning that I have noticed in the west, is that everyone (adults) is in a hurry to perform or to share what they've learned publicly. This hinders the learning. One should not be in a hurry to start teaching. Let it be your truth before, otherwise it will be shared un-riped, hindering also the learning process of others. One important point frequently misunderstood, is that one should not be in the idea of "helping others"  - help yourself, grow yourself, focus on yourself, until you master yourself. Help can only happen when something is mature and integrated inside.

Through inspirational stories and anecdotes this subject is addressed and explained for all of those who come from other cultures and would be interested in learning traditions from India. Knowing how this learning approach works, can help to take the right decision, whether this is a path for one to undertake or not.

PODCAST link in website: www.manishvyas.com/podcast