Soul Music

This summer we had gone to Bokaro for a zonal level music competition. When reached model school where the competition is hosted, we were allocated our rooms for the night. Later we all gathered in the school's junior hall for our evening tea. This was a good opportunity for us to interact with all the other participants. We were all busy getting to know one another when I noticed a Boy sitting quietly in a corner. He was sitting all alone so I went ahead and spoke to him. I came to know that he was Rohan and he was from a Little known school in Grihdih. He also told me that he was a drummer in his school band. The teams were formed a little later. I didn't know whether I should be happy or sad as Rohan was put on my team. After the formation, all the team had a practice session. Our performance was not at all encouraging. Rohan seems to be sad, demotivated impact as a team leader, I was concerned for him as well as for the team's performance. I decided to speak to Rohan. In the course of our conversation, I was shocked to learn that he had lost his younger brother in a road accident just the previous month. His brother adored music and whenever he played his drum set his brother's image swam before his eyes and it was too painful for him. He also told me that he was not willing to come to this competition but his school had sent him there. I was silent for a long time.

After that, I spoke to all the other members of my group and narrated the entire story to them. They were shocked too. Together we went to him and tried to cheer him up.But there was no change in his expression. We kept on talking about the next day's contest and tried our best to motivate Rohan later, just before going to bed I told him" Rohan, you know I believe that music is tonic for our soul we are incomplete without music. In fact, I believe the best way to heal the pain in once the heart is through music. So Rohan, if you can, dedicate this performance to your brother. You brother adored music didn't he? so please Rohan, please play for your brother. Don't play to win the contest." The next day all the team was gathered at the stage we took our seat as a light went on the contest began. I thought that each of the team performs brilliantly. And then it was our turn. As we took our seat on the stage, I noticed a relaxed, peaceful look on Rohan's face. As the curtain rose, he raised his hand with the flourish and the role of the drums echoed in the hall. We were astonished! this was such a different Rohan! His energy seemed to spread and fill all of us too! We all felt a miraculous surge of that confident energy. Rohan, frenzied fingers worked like magic on the drum set, his rolling wrist's seem to extract the most scintillating sounds that captivated the audience. I my self was swaying to the beat of the music as I modulated my voice over the microphone what a performance it turned out to be! after this enchanting performance was over, I looked at Rohan to say' Thank you'. I didn't need to. Rohan's eyes were shining with hell back tears. He was trying to thank me!