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My Kind Of Place

Spiritual trips

Sacred and soul-searching

It's in the abode of the Supreme that I instantly connect to my inner self and to the soul of my music. For me, visiting temples is not about being religious; it's more about drawing inspiration and deriving the strength to continue with my karma — music. It's bliss to be in the house of the Lord, be it Tirupati, Dwarka, Vrindavan or the dargah at Ajmer. Such spiritual encounters give my music the power to touch hearts.

The dargah is dear to me

The first time I visited the marble-domed mausoleum of the Sufi saint Hazart Khwaja Moinnuddin Chisty was with my brother sometime in 1945. I felt something special being in this dargah, frequented by many Hindus too. Since then, I have been going to Ajmer regularly. Once I was moved to the extent of composing a piece standing in the dargah.

Dwarka, my connection dates back to...

I think my previous births. I invariably get this feeling whenever I visit the ancient Krishna temple here. The beautiful image of the Lord, the ambience, everything about this temple town is extremely appealing.

Spirituality and swaras

When my listeners thank me for the mellifluous music, I am only motivated to go back to these temples and dargah from where all my swar, taal and laya emanate.

The musician spoke to

Chitra Swaminathan

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