You are not alone
Note by Mahendra “Speedy” Gonsalkorale
I was moved to compose this video poem by the sadness
being experienced by two of my beloved batchmates, Zita and Rohini - Zita
through serious illness and Rohini through loss of her husband. I sincerely
hope that it will provide some solace to them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwE7hjb82h4
As
we tread the path of life
Many
and varied memories arise
Loving parents,
brothers and sisters
uncles and aunts
Childhood friends
Grandparents and teachers
And the generation you created
They are all with you,
loving you caring for you
At
times the journey is magnificent
And many times, difficult
The floor cracks beneath you
And the floods open soaking you
Loving parents,
brothers and sisters
uncles and aunts
Childhood friends
Grandparents and teachers
And the generation you created
They are all with you,
loving you caring for you
And many times, difficult
The floor cracks beneath you
And the floods open soaking you
flashes of light and darkness
Engulf you and choke you
Confused, unhappy and adrift
Wearily treading with no end in sight
You
as you look around in despair
You find that you are not alone
You are with those who care
Your pain is understood and shared
The path is now a bit easier
The burden is more bearable
Your journey was made brighter
by so many close friends
Who love you and you love them too
For we learnt so much from each other
They understood how you felt
They wanted to light up your life
With the torch of love and empathy
You are not alone,
Confused, unhappy and adrift
Wearily treading with no end in sight
You find that you are not alone
You are with those who care
Your pain is understood and shared
The path is now a bit easier
The burden is more bearable
Your journey was made brighter
by so many close friends
Who love you and you love them too
For we learnt so much from each other
They understood how you felt
They wanted to light up your life
With the torch of love and empathy
You are not alone,
You are not alone
Our thoughts and prayers will be with Zita and Rohini as they find ways to overcome the distress, discomfort and sadness. The music created on the Yamaha is evocative. The poignant lyrics, lovely melody and the expressive imagery do bring peace to one’s soul. Music indeed has the power to reach those depths to soothe the mind. When one’s mind is troubled the care and the love of friends and family can often help as also one’s own philosophy and faith. Our love and best wishes go to Zita and Rohini in their search for peace.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nihal. I have always been fascinate by the power of music, poetry and art. Ultimately, all human experiences and emotions are sensory and is the means by which we recognise who we are and our place in this vast Universe.
DeleteIt is humbling to know that recent discoveries of paintings in limestone caves in Indonesia shows that humans had reached that area 65,000 years ago. Symbolic behaviour unique to us humans even predates the evolution of our species (500,000 yr old shell etched with a pattern found in a cave in Africa). We can only guess what role music played as there are no means that we know of how music could have been passed on to future generations all that time ago. I won't be at all surprised if someday we find a way of ascertaining this.
To all my learned friends
ReplyDeleteI have listened to the music several times to appreciate the beauty of the composition and the relevance of the lyrics. I admire immensely Mahendra’s skill, hard work and perseverance to produce music of this calibre. I do appreciate the many hours of labour gone into its creation and urge everyone to listen to it more that once to really acknowledge its brilliance and to recognise what he has achieved in the current context. This creation certainly deserves a wider audience. Well done my friend.
very kind and generous of you Nihal. The beauty of work like this is the satisfaction you get out of it. it is like planting a seed and nurturing it as it grows into a beautiful plant. I have to admit that it is even more pleasing when the plant is admired by spectators! Thanks again my friend.
ReplyDeleteSpeedy, your music is pleasing to the ears and very appropriate to the prevailing situation that we are in.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sumathi. It gave me a lot of pleasure to produce it. Take care my friend
DeleteEnjoyed listening to it !
ReplyDeleteVery appropriate !
Glad you liked it Sanath. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteMahendra
ReplyDeleteHeartiest congratulations for this excellent Music Video. Your poem is great and your music so soothing to the ear. I enjoyed it. I admire your talent. Well done ! Keep it up. Chira
Always good to see you on the blog Chira, Hope you and your family are safe.
DeleteZita and Rohini Ana must be feeling better if they listen to your music. It is soothing to the ears and I myself (as all of you know, I am still on the sick list)felt better.
ReplyDeleteIs the visual background from a combination of settings? I recognised Sri Lanka but what about the other (or others)?
Thanks, Lucky. The photos are from my travels and have scenes from Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand USA and Europe. And of course form the UK.
DeleteHi Mahen
ReplyDeleteThe poem was very moving and the music soothing and compatible with the poetry.How thoughtful of you and a great effort. Reminded me of "YOU WILL NEVER WALK ALONE".
Thanks Bora. Both have written to me saying how touched they were and how much strength they have gained with the knowledge that so many care for them and that they are not alone.
DeleteJust shows how much our Blog can help our fellow batchmates and I do wish that more would take an active part. Well, as the Farmer said, my job is to sow the seeds!
Hi Speedy you do have a magic touch ... The skill of your playing and your beautifully expressed poem are indeed balm to the soul. You are a Healer in the true sense, not only focusing on physical health ( as most doctors do )but go beyond aiming at holistic healing ... Healing of the Mind and Spirit as well.
ReplyDeleteYou are quite correct in your observation that music therapy has been used since ancient times as a tool in medicine. It's known to reduce the analgesic requirement of patients after trauma or major surgery , and result in more stable blood pressures and induce rest giving sleep.
You are indeed a Blessing to us all. May God Bless you !
Hi Suri. That is very kind of you, Zita is a very special person who cares so much for her family and friends. I am so glad that her deep faith is helping her to deal with her misfortune. All the best and please take care.
DeleteDear Mahen ,
ReplyDeleteThis magnificent gesture of kindness heals not merely by the amazing beauty of its composition but also by the underlying compassion, empathy and humanity that generated it. Your efforts in lifting our spirits at a time it can descend to unimaginable depths is so appreciated. Thank you very much.-
Thank you also for sending it to my private email as I wouldn’t have wanted to miss it. May you be blessed .
Dear Rohini. The fact that my little creation has helped you and Zita is most comforting. I wish you all the best and I have no doubt that time, the great healer will comfort you. Please do contact me if you ever feel the need to unburden. Take care my friend.
DeleteThank you Mahen, Your genuine concern and love for your fellow beings , and the lengths you go to to be a comfort to them is plain to see.
Delete“A little fragrance always clings to the hand that gives the roses” - a Chinese proverb - This is my wish for you.
Sorry- should read ‘are plain to see’ !
DeleteDear Mahen, It was so thoughtful of you to have done this. It is beautiful and the words and music so comforting. Obviously, it means a lot to Rohini and she has conveyed her feelings in her comments above. The journey of grief is so different for each person, and the path more ragged for some. But, knowing that friends are thinking of them probably makes it a little more bearable.
ReplyDeleteI saw that Zita had also expressed her appreciation of your comforting composition on WhatsApp. It is so appropriate that you chose to compose a piece of music for Rohini and Zita, because music means a lot to both of them, as we all know. I don't have the ability to express myself with music and words the way you do, but I want Rohini and Zita to know that they have my support and blessings.