Hello again,

Sometimes I’ve been asked what my favorite sound is.  And since I’m a musician, one expects the answer to be something exciting, exotic, or at least, intriguing. But my honest answer to it is, My favorite sound is the Sound of Silence.  I mean it. And you must admit, it’s a different answer..  Ha ha ha.

But seriously, I’m sure every one of us living in a city has experienced a desperate longing for silence.  And in my city Bombay, you don’t get it, even at a premium..!!

I believe that in today’s world ‘Silence’ is highly underrated.  Both within, and outside of us.  Even to truly appreciate the beauty of Music, one needs the relief of silence before and after.  Just think about it for a second, and tell me if I’m wrong.

There have been times when I almost tear my hair out in frustration, desperately seeking silence. Too much traffic, vehicles honking, dogs barking incessantly, some pandal blaring loud music, some neighbors having an obscene verbal duel, noise, noise, noise…  Aaaaaaaaaaarrrrghhhhhh…!!!

And then I wonder, when choosing our place of residence in a busy city, how many of us prioritize Silence as one of the main prerequisites?  I did.  Did you?

Sowmya Raoh,
27th August 2010,
Mumbai.