Cerebrum

Recently, I read a very interesting article on Synethesia. 

This is a condition in which one of the five senses simultaneously stimulates another sense. People with such a condition in brain may smell rose while seeing a water falls; or taste chocolates while listening to some sounds; or see a colour while touching something. This condition occurs when different parts of the brain responsible for sensory perceptions somehow get interlinked and in effect trigger two senses at the same time. Syn in Greek means ‘joining’ and aesthesis means ‘perception’. In a way, it is the opposite of anesthesia (which means the absence of sensation). At the same time, this should not be confused with ‘hallucinations’ which is different.

It is said that some people have this condition which is considered to be a disorder. Is this a disorder or a gift?

When I read this article I was reminded of two different experiences narrated by a couple of artistes. The first one (which I read in a Tamizh magazine long ago) has to do with music. A very famous duo who plays the flute, Sikkil Neela/KunjumaNi once said they see colours while playing some ragas. They did mention some ragas and colours. It was a sort of eye opener for me and it made me appreciate music more and also sharpened by perception. The second one was said years ago by a very popular Bharata Nrityam artiste during a Lecture/Demonstration at The Music Academy. She said, ‘I see music and listen to dance’. Yes, she is known for some flowery expressions- exaggerated ones included- but this too left me thinking.

The fact that these two left an indelible mark in my subconscious mind is known to me because not only do I keep thinking about this quite often but also unconsciously apply this concept while doing certain things. This has surely helped me in sharpening my sensory perceptions and in observing and appreciating finer elements in life in general and in arts in particular. At the same time, I must confess that until very recently I was not aware of the term called synesthesia.

Going back to the question on whether it is a disorder or a gift, I feel that it is more of the latter simply because it questions and changes our conditioning. As J.Krishnamurti said, we are all ‘conditioned’ to perceive things in this world and this has seriously impacted our free thinking. In my personal opinion, all of us need to develop this condition and use it when required, because I feel this aids in ‘out of the box’ or lateral thinking. Most importantly, we are not chained by our thinking.

I am sure geniuses like Raaja sir get into this condition very often while composing. When he closes his eyes and conceives the tune or when he writes the notes for orchestration, I am sure more than two senses are working simultaneously. Otherwise, how is it possible for him to conceive novel ideas breaking the shackles in the process?

The Rare gem of the day is an example.

Going by the title of the movie and the orchestration, it is obvious that ‘KaNdadhai Solladhe’ from ‘Kanni theevu’(1981) is sung in a tribal setting.

It starts with a very brief humming by Janaki followed by the Viruttham to the backing of the chorus and the guitar. The percussion plays ‘ta – dhi –‘ 8 times. The chorus follows, first with ‘ha haa’ for 4 ‘ta – dhi –‘ and then with ‘luu luu’ for 4 fours again. The humming pattern changes again after one 4 and finally the rhythm guitar takes us to the Pallavi.

We are in for a surprise here as the ‘four’ becomes ‘three’. Yes, it is now in Tisram with the percussion-which starts only ‘sonnadhai’- plays ‘ta ki ta/ta ki ta’. The ‘viruththam’ rendered in the beginning is sung towards the end in higher octave!

The strings play with impeccable precision as melody flows like a stream in the first interlude. The differently sounding guitar is enlivening while the accordion bends and rises with a beautiful smile. It is the turn of the strings again but this time it is rousing and enticing to be intercepted by the wind instruments which appear as boulders.

The lines in the CharaNams are powerful and mellow.

The second interlude sees shades of western classical music in the beginning with the trumpets and trombone playing with full vigour. The tribal humming of the chorus first goes in keezh kaalam (slow tempo) in Tisram and then goes in mel kaalam(faster tempo). In fact, there are three different hummings.  The strings glide and the accordion revels. It is the Flute which finally steals the show playing with a unique elegance.

I am tasting the moon and smelling the rainbow. How about you?

                  

                  

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