Emotional Resonance

I was in California for an Indian classical vocal recital. The recital took place at my student's house; a small, private and informal setting. The audience was only about 8 people, comprising of mostly his friends and family. However, they had the listening capacity and the fine appreciation of an audience of a thousand! It felt like they were drinking my music with an intense thirst. As an artist, this feeling is very satisfying.

I sang Raag Malkans for an hour and a half. Though predominantly melancholy, Malkans is quite versatile and can express romance too, both soft and powerful. I presented a variety of moods and shades using 3 different compositions. I was indulging my audience in an emotional roller-coaster ride.

The first composition expressed the lament of a young woman who is torn between love and pain. The mood became overwhelmingly melancholy with a slight tinge of anxiety to highlight her dilemma. This was the time that true resonance took place. When they felt what I felt, the mood in the room started converging to my own emotional state. This intensified my own emotions and this had a direct effect of strengthening the emotional quality of my music. This then intensified the audience'’s mood further; setting up a positive feedback cycle till the mood reached its climax. It was like the room was ‘ringing’ with emotion. Resonance!

The next composition was a different shade of blue. It expressed the loneliness of a woman who's lover has been away for a while. She complains of his insensitivity towards her feelings, the lack of communication and neglect. The loneliness is tinged with loving anger. By this time, the audience was much more receptive to emotional suggestion, and the resonance was reached quickly.

The last composition changed the mood significantly. The lyrics expressed the excitement, nervousness and the romantic tension of a woman eagerly awaiting her soul-mate to meet her after a painfully long time. The mood is enhanced by description of the electrifying atmosphere just before a rain-storm. This mood was predominantly that of romance and the anxious joy of a long wait coming to an end. This time round, resonance was almost instantaneous. I seemed to have struck a chord!

Every artist experiences such resonance to some extent in concerts and recitals. However, this experience was truly exceptional. This just goes to show how much inspiration an audience can bring to the artist, providing encouragement, appreciation, acceptance and energy. It was as though a communication channel opened up and I could directly transfer emotions to their hearts directly and vice versa. I imagine heaven to feel something like this!

I feel truly blessed to have the gift of creativity, of being able to express my emotions through music and to have an audience that enjoys music as much as I do!

Towards more humorousque Flights

Recently, I had the opportunity to fly with Anonymous Airlines (name changed for privacy reasons). I have flown with a lot of airlines before and after experiencing yesterday's flight, I came to a realization. There are three kinds of airline crew. Rude and Cold, Professional and Tepid, and Genuine and Warm. I had encountered both cold-rude and tepid-polite crew members before, but it was only yesterday that I experienced what genuine warmth felt like.

As we were waiting to taxi away from the gate, the captain appeared in the cabin-doorway and said,

"Hi Folks! I don't mean to scare you by making an announcement like this. I am your captain, and I have *not* forgotten the keys to the plane in my other pants like yesterday. The flight plan looks good, my glasses are in my coat pocket, and I just had a Caffe Latte, so I'll stay awake for the remainder of the flight! So, time to take this baby off the ground!"The effect the captain achieved from this small standup-routine was remarkable. People laughed, relaxed and all the passengers suddenly united as an audience to enjoy the performance of the comic captain! The air lightened considerably, blood pressures dropped and the entire plane was drenched in warm friendliness. What an effect to achieve for four measly lines!

The crew was also funny and warm. Seat conflicts were sorted out with a laugh and everybody was left feeling happy and in good hands. Between this and the time that the captain actually took off, there was this sudden spurt of friendly chit chat. Never before had I seen anything like it. Everyone was mingling, introducing themselves to their neighbors, making friends and the compressed air was filled with laughter and hellos and hi there's! The planes atmosphere transformed from a 'flying-coffin' grave mood (forgive the pun) to one that is encountered in that cozy downtown restaurant with great food.

We took off on this warm and fuzzy note and the rest of the flight was smooth. Even when there was turbulence in mid flight, the captain announced

"Sorry for the bumps folks, arriving at the California tollbooth!" No resentment, no disgruntled passengers. This was the first captain I knew to get a sitting-applause on a perfect landing!

Less than enjoyable situations can be turned around by using a well chosen remark. I had experienced classroom humor before, that made the lesson memorable, but never before had I experienced the lightening of the tense air in the plane before takeoff. Humor can be used as a weapon to inflict pain, but when well used can be therapeutic!

In the footsteps of Aristotle I say,

"Anyone can make a joke -- that is easy. But to use humor on the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose and in the right way -- that is not easy!"

Disclaimer: I do not have any affiliation with Anonymous, or for that matter, any other airline. This is not intended to be an advertisement of any sort. The captains dialog have been changed both for privacy reasons, and for effect. The above experience details one experience with one crew instance should not be generalized to other crew, or other airlines. (In fact, my return flight was with Anonymous Airlines with a different less-than-polite crew). Also, one should use Humor with a lot of care, in less than desirable situations. I do not take any responsibility for any backfiring due to misaligned humor.I shall not pay for redecorating the house, reconstructive cosmetic surgery,psychiatrist fees, etc.

Confusion times ten (Or, go ten-three-fifty yourself, I dont give a ten-three-twenty-one)

I was riding the Microsoft Shuttle recently when I heard the dispatcher crackle on the radio “Matt, what’s your ten-twenty? I have a ten-sixteen for you at building #33”!

I had heard stuff like this on Cop shows, but this was my first live encounter of the tenth kind! I questioned the driver about common codes and their meanings and this got me thinking.

How would two dispatchers, who meet at a convention, talk to each other?

Here is a possible dialogue between Andrew (A) and Barbara(B):

A: Barbara … uh … Ten-forty four (I have a message for you …)
B: Can you Ten-five (relay message) that Andrew?
A: I .. uh … kinda … sorta …. you know, uh .. like .. you ……
B: I’m sorry … that was a ten-one (receiving poorly). Could you Ten-nine (repeat) that?
A: I, um, kinda like you Barbara …
B: Wow! That’s a ten-four (Message received). Ten-twenty-three (stand by) …Let me get this straight ... So…, you are saying, that you like me?
A: That’s a ten-four! In fact, I would like to ten-sixteen (make a pickup) at your place at, say, 8 ‘o clock tomorrow night?
B (smiling): I would like that …
A: What’s your ten-twenty (location) ?
B: Ten-eighty five (my address) is 1073 Bumpy Road, Quaint City.
A: What if I need to ten-twenty one (call by telephone) you?
B: My ten-eighty four (telephone number) is 555-7575
A: Oh, keep this ten-thirty five (confidential) especially from that gossip, Carol!
B: I will ensure a ten-sixty-seven (all units comply)
A (relieved): Whew! Thanks!
B: Its late, I’m going ten-seven (out of service, leaving air) You’ll ten-twenty one (give me a call) ?
A: Of course! See you tomorrow …
B leaves.
A (to himself) that was a ten-ninety nine (mission completed, all units secure)! I’m so excited, I must ten-one hundred (go the bathroom!)
A leaves too.

Actually, ten-twenty six all of that (cancel/ignore last message)!