The hand that envisions creative electric music might not quite be aware of the singularly beautiful notes of a Veena. On the contrary, it might hold the Veena in the greatest of regard and respect, emulating a timeless, classic austerity. If variety were a song, the instruments would be the very notes. Because there is no one way to express a sentiment, you just have to come to terms with that sounds, melodies and tunes best emote your patriotism.

The musicians have come pouring in. We currently have more than 130 registered participants, and the music they have bought us is nothing short of miraculously unique. This has me pleasantly surprised and thinking.

Two poets never could describe history in the same words. Similarly, music never borrows somebody else’s perspective, it tries its own. It creates, continually. The beauty of any artistic pursuit is just that: to be able to create. Musicians are creators, they are an eclectic group. They also have a powerful gift within them: a simple melody can move hundreds of people into applause or much greater things. The simple tool that is music is also diverse as it can get. It finds definitions of differing meanings. For some, it is talking in a way that sounds rhythmic, and for some others, it is taking the very heart of you and rattling you inside out so that you may forever remember it as more than a memory. Music can be translated into varying emotions, often nameless and often not labeled by words: it can plunge you to despair and elevate you to feisty ambition. That is its aptitude, intelligence and gripping influence.

The music that has come to Desh Raag is colourful.  It is individual, extrodinary. It is special and intense. It is true and telling. It is also astounding in its creative experiment: how many different ways can you tell a story? How many different ways can you reinvent and transcribe an expression? Well, they have showed us. The music that has come to us sometimes takes my breath away. Many voices have been discovered and many have spoken bravely of their perspective. The melodies are full of energy, enthusiasm, sincerity. The variety to the music has arrested me. I have simply succumbed to their magic. Life is of many different degrees, and many different inspirations work to tell just one story. The variety in this music strikes me with its brilliance, leaving me open-eared and listening. Intently.

Music has come in different tunes and with different instruments, different languages.They speak of various things. They speak of liberation and breaking free. They are are sometimes untamed, sometimes fine-tuned and performed with finesse, sometimes practiced, sometimes spontaneous, but each and every song is gorgeous. Each and every one of those voices is special, because each is exclusive. I am cognizant of the amount of work it takes to make such fine music. A lot of thought goes into it, even though you can spend a mere five minutes listening and completely ignore the effort that goes into composing and rendering. It might miss your notice, but the weary musician is happy that you could get to appreciate it. That—is the fruit of his labor. The music that has come to us has both inspired and enchanted me.

There may be many languages, countless compositions, different instruments, but there is unity to the music. There is unity in the histories they speak of, to the pride they showcase, to the valor they salute, to the storytellers they become: they seep through the pores of your skin and caress your soul. They are of many genres: Rock, Alternative, Hip-hop and have been titled in many unexampled ways, they are visionary. They are such a marvel, each and every one of them.

For the people who participated: a huge thank you. Thank you for bringing so much life and emotion into this storytelling, thank you for expressing and believing, thank you for creating and striving. The amount of happiness you have bought, variety you have infused, and talent you have exposed has left me awed, moved and endlessly revering the everlasting treasure that is patriotic music.

Keep surprising us.

–Editor