Chapter 2: Plant response to elevated CO2 - DRUM - University of ...

over to Shobha. Shobha noticed that most of the pages were coming off and were
tattered at the edges.
“Now copy these songs in your notebook,” Shobha’s insistence on neat
handwriting and the condition of the notebook greatly slowed down her speed.
Halfway through Mrs. Pandit remarked, “You know, my teachers never wrote
down music. They were only taught the notes used and the rules in which they
had to be used in a particular Raga, and then they set about composing their own
melody or song. So each time they sang a Raga it was a different piece of
creation. In fact, music started to be written down only from our generation.
Some say this stifled creativity.”
“Can I do that? Learn music like your teachers did?” Shobha asked, tired
of copying the notes. “You can try, it’s difficult for most people, but then music is
a gift given by God — some people can compose a raga in minutes what takes
others months. Try it, that’s the only way to know.” Mrs. Pandit held the flap of
her harmonium and her fingers moved deftly on the keyboard. When Mrs.
Pandit sang, Shobha could almost trace each note, as clear and consistent as if it
were being sung through a hollow pipe. Listening to the twilight raga, Shobha
found herself rocking to the Ektaal rhythm.
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