Why Do I Write Songs? [Part 2]

In the vast expanse of an empty canvas world, akin to a boundless ocean, I etch my existence through the medium of song – a droplet that resonates with myriad emotions, creating ripples in the tranquil stillness of the universe. As the ocean vibrates, so does the universe, and I leave my mark solely through the art of songwriting. Each composition becomes a mosaic of sounds that give form to countless emotions. In the tapestry of time and space, I perceive an extended self, dissolving into the expanding universe like a unique droplet of sound, merging into the vastness of melody, tune, raga, or song. Despite the futile quest to define our crafts, the most profound enigma lies in the act of becoming what we do through rigorous practice.

In the realm of creativity, it would not be amiss to assert that I become a song when I write one, but the trajectory of each becoming is distinct, resulting in as many stories of becoming as there are songs in the universe. Thus, in response to why I write songs, I find that songwriting is a quest for becoming – a transformative journey. For me, through this artistic pursuit, I can metamorphose into anything and everything. I can embody places I have never been to, transcending physical limitations. This process of becoming echoes the brilliance of Bengali novelist Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay, whose imaginative prowess defied the conventional notion that experience is the sole source of knowledge.

Bandopadhyay’s work “Chander Pahar”, originally penned in Bangla, intricately depicted the nuances of African wildlife despite never having visited the continent. His vivid and authentic descriptions stemmed from profound literary knowledge as he breathed life into an unexplored land through the power of words. Similarly, songwriting bestows upon me the ability to become a place, a realm of surprises and curiosities, unleashing the boundless potential of dwelling in a distant land with a sense of proximity.

Through the craft of songwriting, I can even transmute into individuals I am not, inanimate objects or elements that surround me. As previously mentioned, each song becomes a vessel through which I can embody diverse entities and experiences. It goes beyond mere description; it is the embodiment of becoming itself. As I write a song, I metamorphose into its essence, and it begins to flow within me, transcending the boundaries that separate the individual self from the world. It permeates internal and external walls, allowing sound waves to traverse the air, uniting humans and the natural world.

The true essence of songwriting lies in the process of immersing the external world within oneself. The mystical element that binds disparate elements together and creates resonance is the act of listening. As we listen to the world and its inhabitants, they, too, listen back, forming an interconnected symphony of sentient beings and the planet itself.

My motivation to write songs stems from the profound journey of becoming it offers. Through this transformative pursuit, I can traverse the boundaries of self and immerse myself in the wonders of the world, embodying a multitude of experiences and entities. Songwriting is not simply an act of describing but a manifestation of becoming itself, harmonizing the interplay between the human and the natural realms through the art of listening.

Stay tuned for the following notes, where I will delve into the captivating narratives behind some of my songs and the transformative experiences that gave rise to them.