Why do you listen to music?

About an year back, Josh asked me to write about what makes me sing or love music. I had never thought of it, really. What makes a person listen to music? There is no one particular reason, I believe.

I have seen people listening to music at the bus stands, at the railway stations etc. That reminds me of an advertisement for iPod – “when you do not wish to talk to strangers, plug in your iPod“. But that takes out the romanticism of music, but there are people who do just that. I have seen youngsters playing loud music at home, just to ignore the lectures of the parents. They just shut the door of their room and play the music aloud. Or the people who goes to clubs, to party. They want loud, techno, new age music, just to help them shake a leg. Different people have different reasons for listening to music.

I have had all these reasons to listen to music. But I also had those moments where I would just sit close to the windows of my house, just to listen to the music that came out of the neighbor’s house. Thus I heard the songs like MJ’s Beat It to Manjal Prasaadavum. Or Billy Joel to Pudamuri kalyaanam. I also had those moments when I would just plug in the Walkman earphones and sit in the veranda at night, watching the sprinkles of rain outside that was barely seen in the dim street lights. Those were the moments in which I fell in love with music.

Why do I listen to music? Because it soothes my soul. It takes off the anger, sadness and despair in me and says “come, let’s take a walk and everything will be fine“. And it works all the time.

Now, what is your reason?

PS: By the way, do check out Joshua’s website for updates on his movie project with Shyamaprasad – Ritu. He has written the story and screenplay of this much awaited new film from Shyamaprasad.