Listening Beyond Sound

When you begin your journey into Indian Classical music, you are introduced to its foundation—Naad, the primordial sound; Sur, the perfect pitch; Lay, the rhythm that breathes; and Taal, the cyclical heartbeat of time. These are not just concepts—they are living elements - the soul of Shastriya Sangeet, (Indian Classical Music).

After years of immersing myself in these basics, my sitar Guru, Ustad Usman Khan, one day paused, looked at me, and said, "Varsha, you now have all the knowledge needed to be a perfect sitar player. Beyond this point, classical music can no longer be taught. It must now be received—by your ear, by your surrender."

Classical music, is a spiritual sadhana—not a syllabus to be completed. Therefore Guruji never taught like a commercial school with exams, but made it a point to keep it a home for learning exactly in the Guru Shisya Parampara. And that learning is a river you must step into, and allow to carry you. The guru brings you to the water - the thirst arises from within.

From here on, you are guided not by instruction, but by shravan—deep listening. Not just with your ears, but with your being - an unfolding spiritual journey.

The path you tread becomes your individual journey. No map, but perceptions. No answers, but to seek - a space where discipline and freedom resonate to a crescendo.

As we near the celebrations of Guru Purnima at Naad, it's a beautiful time to retrospect lessons learnt from Guruji (Ustad Usman Khan) —subtle, yet it continues to shape the way I walk through life.

Thank you dearest Guruji! You never said 'follow me,' yet your presence became the path.

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