The Hindu : New Delhi News : Music gift of God, says Kalam

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Feb 06, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

Music gift of God, says Kalam

NEW DELHI, FEB. 5. Terming music the `gift of God to man,' the President, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, said it had the ability to melt the most difficult of hearts and minds.

Commending the Indian Navy Symphonic Orchestra, which gave a concert here this evening, the President said it had been a ``beautiful evening, and had cheered the heart of all.''

``It was an excellent performance, specially the fusion music combining jazz and Carnatic music. The performance on multiple instruments was perfect. Being a music lover myself, I can understand how hard all of them must have practised,'' he said.

Stressing the importance of music for the body and soul, Dr Kalam quoted a saying of famed Sufi mystic Jalal-ud-din Rumi to drive home his point.

``Rumi said that an angel is free because of his knowledge, while a beast is so because of ignorance. The son of Man has to struggle and it is music which can help him to attain angelic qualities,'' he said.

The President had special praise for the children's choir which made the last part of the performance unforgettable.

Young students from the Navy Children's School here had accompanied trainee cadets from the Naval College of Music to sing a special combination of the songs of the three services -- the Navy's Desh ke Rakhshak, the Air Force's Desh Pukare and the Army's Kadam Kadam Barhaye Ja, before ending with `Sare Jahan se accha' to spirited accompaniment from the Orchestra.UNI

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

New Delhi