Kirpal Singh Panesar Part 2 of 2 | Indian Music Journeys with Ranjana | S2E03

I know.

I remember the first time that I went to study from Guruji all the way back in, that was end of 2000, a long time ago now.

And I remember I was staying in a flat with my mum and, you know, I had started my classes and I brought her back and I was practicing every day in the flat.

And the flat opposite, there was somebody practicing on the piano.

And my mum just found it so funny because we were in Kolkata and she said, you're here from London studying this music and then the people here are playing the piano.

And of course, there's value in all of it.

But it was just interesting how and it's a wonderful thing.

I think there are so many more people who are wanting to connect to their heritage and their roots.

and study this music you know I'm seeing that with the students that I'm teaching there's a lot of people who have either been born and raised in India or born and raised here they might have not learned any of it or learned a little bit of it but are really wanting to to connect to the subject deeper so

I see that too as well you know I through through my students as well I get to see you know it's not just the music that they're after I think they're after that that those life lessons um you know i i've said this to you and i said this to many other people you know our music uh it's entertaining and you know lots of like you know uh lots of people come to watch you play and listen to your music um and they all clap at the you know the parts where you're playing faster and the the intricate dance and whatnot but our music is supposed to be more than entertainment you know our music is a way of life And it's the life lessons that you learn through this.

I think, you know, I think that's what, you know, when you're learning anything, I think it's really good for you.

I think it's a liberating experience.

And up until music, I don't think I've ever learned anything properly.

I mean, I remember, I remember going through school, you know, the teachers are trying to teach you and like some students are wanting to learn, some students can't be bothered and You know, it's not the best experience that I had.

I mean, it's only after I started learning music is when I kind of really wanted to thank my teachers at school.

I remember playing at school many years later and I really thanked all of my teachers, you know, and I said, you know, that all of your vidya, all of your teaching has helped me be who I am today.

At the time, I never realized that you was trying to give me something and I just kept on saying, I don't want it, I don't want it.

Now I realize that, you know, so I guess learning anything is good.

I feel students really take to that, you know, when they feel good about themselves, they feel good about life when they're learning these things through music.

Music teaches us to love everyone.

It teaches us to Not see who's Hindu, who's Muslim, who's Sikh, who's anything else.

You know, a good note or, you know, a good sur, you say va, regardless of where it's coming from.

Yeah, absolutely.

You learn these lessons.

You probably read about this in spiritual texts, but not understand it.