A few months back listening to my favorite podcast* I heard a discussion about the five senses and how vision is probably the most critical of all. Indeed, being able to see people, nature and all the happens around us is a sensory teacher like no other. However, a recent experience made me think about how sound (and hence the sense of hearing) impacts our lives.
Day 1 of our trip to India this winter I was jolted out of my sleep at 4 a.m. by a dog barking in the neighborhood. “Shushh…..” I heard someone admonish from the adjoining home balcony as if the dog would hear and obey! Hubby continued to snore gently, oblivious as the ceiling fan whirred furiously above him. Mumbai was a balmy 70F that early in the morning!
Over the next few days there was a virtual orchestra of sounds around us. Family and friends talking and laughing, vehicles honking on the road sometimes needlessly, prayers wafting from a loudspeaker in the community temple, the doorbell ringing every morning and evening as the maid came by to finish her chores. In the relatively smaller living space all the sounds of life were loud and clear. And then there was more as we traveled to Rajasthan – the thud of the airplane wheels as they hit the tarmac in Jaisalmer, and the tinkle of bells on the camels as we watched the orange sun dip at the horizon under the desert sand dunes. Two local musicians came by, one carrying a small harmonium and the other a tambourine. They cajoled us into listening to their performance – and then asking each one of us our names created a personalized verse on the spot and serenaded our family! The young lady was teased for someone being in her thoughts and her brother was complimented for his deep soulful gaze.
As December drew to a close to welcome the new year, we celebrated a milestone birthday. With extended family we made our way to Awas, a quaint beach town south of Mumbai. Our choice of transportation was a ferry that carried vehicles along with people, making for an easy weekend getaway having your own car at the destination! On the ferry a group of enthusiastic 30-something year old women had a small deck to themselves and were having a whale of a time dancing away to music from a portable Wi-Fi speaker. My feet were tapping too! Since the lockdowns of COVID were lifted tourism is booming in India, with people crisscrossing the vast land soaking in the history and beauty, keenly aware of being present in the moment and thankful for good health. We caught up with cousins as walked on the dark, smooth sands, and enjoying the warm waters of the Arabian Sea.
After a whirlwind three weeks I was ready to come home. It was back to college and back to work in a wintry, wet, quiet California. Alone in the house as hubby headed out on a business trip, the silence got to me. I strained my ears to hear something, anything, but silence prevailed. No dogs barking, no cars honking, no music in the distance and hardly anyone out and about in the neighborhood after sun down. Silence all around unless I broke it; I finished an 11 hour audiobook in three evenings.
And I also went back to my favorite podcast, to listen and learn.
~AK Irvinekar
* The Knowledge Project
Loved this blog! You write very well as always but this one touched me so much. I also visited india this December and could relate to many notes you have expressed. When my plane landed on the soils of Mumbai there were many emotions racing through me. And i wondered why each time even after 30 years, i feel this special connection. That sound and jolt, which we wait with anticipation. And in that moment i thought of you, that if you were me, you would write all that is going on in my mind beautifully. So when i read this blog, it reminds me of that moment and also the trip that followed. All the sounds that surrounded, even the loud horns that hurt my ears and yet all of which still felt like home.
Thank you Shilpa, and I feel blessed that it created such positive energy!! I think we are fortunate to have more than one place to call home 😊
Sounds of Mumbai, a bustling, ever evolving metro is one of the appealing orchestra for me as a born Mumbaikar! ! Right from the fancy door bells to heart pounding rhythms of local trains it all takes me on a joyride of childhood memories whenever I visit home 🏡! You took me along Archana! Keep it up!
Glad you enjoyed the piece and could relate Supriya! Thanks for the note 🙂
Wonderful write up Irvinekar!!
Everyday simple things at one end of the world means a lot at the other end! Though these sounds are overwhelming at times , but are a heart and soul to all
“I like an element of chaos in music. That feeling is the best thing ever, as long as you don’t have too much of it.”
Reshma 💕
Thanks Reshma! Like the “element of chaos” 🙂
Very nicely articulated! Five senses are amazingly critical in our day to day life! Growing up in Mumbai I actually miss that hustle and bustle some times. Hope to get more insights into Rajasthan experience when we meet!
Next time you want to get away from silence, go to any university campus!
Take care and keep writing!
Best,
Padmini
For anyone who grew up a Mumbaikar I can definitely imagine missing the vibrancy!
And yes, nothing more lively than a college or school campus, it actually makes one feel younger 😊
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment Padmini!
Kadhi kadhi hey surrounding awaj Chan watatat
Definitely!! Aani ekhadi goshta nasli ki tyachi jast uneev bhaste
Wonderful read…. as usual you have managed to capture the essence ….”sound” speaks better than words