Recently, my father, mother, and I started listening to chants and other soothing music together. Music is one of the five tools of theater. We can listen to music, play an instrument, or sing. Each type of music experience is enjoyable.
I listen to music with my parents. I have also played the piano for many years. In this blog post, I will describe my listening journey and our exploration in February 2024.
Music is enjoyable. Start your own music exploration and share your journey with us!
Listening Together
Listening to music has been a part of our family experience for many years. See the Instagram post on @ananthsadventures:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DFq7dviTSYb/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
My dad and I used to listen to songs over 10 years ago. My dad used to put on Vishnu Sahasranama, Pancha Suktam, Divya Prabandam, music such as Tyagaraja panchratna kritis, and many other songs when he used to drive me to school, dance class, and other places.
In February 2024, my mother and I went to Tiruvannamalai. We discovered the Tamil Parayana chants at Ramanasramam. These chants have been a part of our daily rhythms since that time.
In January 2025, my mother and I attended an event at the Ramana Maharshi Center for Learning (RMCL). We heard the Ramana Pada Pancharathnam which has five songs in the same ragas as Tyagaraja panchratna kritis. My mother and I listened to Ramana Pada Pancharathnam and Tyagaraja pancharatna kritis. I asked my dad to put the songs on a pen drive as my mother had also bought me a portable system for listening to music.
Where we are now
While we have listened to music together in the past, there are some differences:
- Ramanasramam Tamil Parayana and other chants are now a part of our daily listening
- We focus on soothing chants and music
- We listen to music together several times a day
- I am more active in choosing the music
Daily Routine – 2025
One year from our discovery of Ramanasramam Tamil Parayana, we have now expanded our listening selection. We listen to a greater variety of songs. Also, my dad, mom, and I are now involved in the process.
We listen to music many times in a day.
Parent Note
Theater Arts for Holistic Development (TAHD) outcomes are not linear. A seed planted over 15 years ago when Ananth started listening to chants and Carnatic music with his dad has suddenly grown into a large tree. Ananth used to attend many concerts with his dad. Once he started preparing for his Bharatanatyam arangetram (2020), he did not have time for these listening experiences.
He also went through a period of stress. Ramanasramam Tamil Parayana played an important role in reconnecting Ananth to music listening. Then, the event at the National Seminar and Cultural Festival 2025 was the spark that suddenly expanded our listening. We look forward to enjoying music together in 2025.
TAHD identifies five tools 1) movement and dance, 2) music and rhythm, 3) storytelling, 4) drama, and 5) arts and crafts. Over the last few years, dance, storytelling, and drama have been our focus. Ananth started sketching and watercolour painting. Now, music is back in a significant way in our daily rhythms.
Another point that has occurred to me is that every theater experience does not have to be something we do. Ananth is practicing dance daily for his diploma exam. Music as a calming listening experience works well for us at this time!
Design your Own Exploration!
Our experiences over more than two decades are shaping our current exploration. Every child and parent has their own point of learning. Choose your music and explore in a way that works for you! We encourage you to share your experiences as replies to this post to give readers many ideas for music exploration.
Resources
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