I recall having a long chat with one of my friends, a very smart guy and connoisseur of music about music being universal. The question was, can any music be universal music or is some music more universal than others. If all music is universal, how is it that we are all not equally appreciative of all kinds of music? A genre appeals to some much more so than to others? Just as an artist appeals to one group much more so than to others. Is there truly something called Universal Music that appeals to all.
Saying that Music is Universal is something like saying oxygen is universal or fresh water is universal, or fire is universal or the concept of God is universal. However, when the same water is mixed with the local culture, it becomes “Theertham” in Indian temples, the same water when mixed with a flavor it becomes a drink. This does not mean that water is not universal, nor does it mean Theertham is universal, it only means that water has taken a form that has a meaning and an appeal to a set of folks. Similarly, the fundamental idea behind music, organized sounds that follow a specific beat (rhythm) at a specific pitch, is universal. I come to understand what it really means to say “Music is Universal”.
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