It's been a couple of months since I did a Musical Monday post, mostly because I am admittedly a lazy wench, and partially because I couldn't decide on a song to post up. However, on Sunday, a pang of reminiscence caught me out of the blue and I went searching for a melody that always haunted me in my childhood.
Haunting is the best way to describe this song. Song is probably not quite the word to use either. I am referring to the Azaan, or the Islamic call to prayer. Like I said, odd choice. Whilst I hold no particular reverence for the religion behind the call to prayer, nor did I ever enjoy the ritual itself, I did always enjoy the sound of it. I guess it's the talent of the imam to make it sound just so.
That's something I wondered about religious music. As humans, we are attracted to certain melodies, chords, rhythms and sounds, so it wouldn't be any wonder why religion would use music as a way to attract followers as well and bring together the communities. In this case, the Azaan is calling the community to pray together. I remember the evening calls in particular, mostly because it would just start to turn dark, so the sky would be a heavy mix of pink and purple with dark and white clouds, the air would be cooling down but still carry that hint of humidity and I would have just finished my homework, dangling my feet over my grandparents' balcony as I ate or drank something sweet. I suppose, ironically, those moments were when I cared least for the call of religious obedience and just revelled in my childhood freedom.
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