Be the Change

Be the change is one of the most powerful phrases I have come cross; popularized by Gandhi. I think this phrase is packed with a lot of energy. This post is not about Gandhi or philosophical aspect of this phrase but is about an album by Prasanna which is titled Be The Change.

I first listened to Prasanna's music from Music India online. For those of you who dont know Prasanna, he is the key person to popularize using guitar for carnatic music; which used to be unconventional until he popularized it. Being an fan of carnatic music i was thrilled when I listened to carnatic compositions in guitar. Infact I started listening to carnatic music on guitar so much that I liked the one of my all time favourite songs 'Venkatachalanilyam' from Prasanna's acoustic guitar rather M.L. Vasanthakumari's awesome voice. (It is best compliment I could think of for Prasanna's music)

I listened to Prasanna's Be the Change album and it is one of the coolest works by him I have ever listened to. It is a fusion of Jazz, rock and Carnatic. Packed with energy and innovation it is the best music I have listened to in the last few months. Shalini's carnatic vocals in a rock base is just amazing. If you like Carnatic, Jazz, rock (or even otherwise), you should checkout the CD !!

I happened to read a review of the same album online and I am borrowing a few words said there:

The music of Prasanna is verily about possibilities — of a coming together, of emergence, of dissolution, of transformation, of a going beyond, of the very note. In that endless field of possibilities there remains the singular truth - of a transcendent experience.

The Upanishads probably talk of the same, only infinitely more beautifully so.

Tranquil, let one worship It
As that from which he came forth
As that into which he will be dissolved,
As that in which he breathes.