Daily writing prompt

What is your favorite genre of music?

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Hello dear friends,
I hope this blog finds you in a cheerful mood and humming your favorite tune.

Today’s writing prompt feels melodic and deeply personal as I reflect on the question, “What is your favorite genre of music?”

This seemingly simple inquiry opens the floodgates to memories, emotions, and the rhythm of life itself.

Music, to me, is more than just a genre—it is an emotion, a sanctuary, and often, a gentle companion during solitude.

While I enjoy many forms of music, from the calming whispers of instrumental sitar to the foot-tapping energy of retro Bollywood, there’s one genre that speaks to my soul more than any other—classic Hindi melodies of the Golden Era, especially from the 1950s to the 1970s.

A Timeless Connection

Why this genre, you may ask? The answer lies in the richness of emotions, the poetry in lyrics, and the simplicity of life it echoes.

Songs by legends like Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammed Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Mukesh, and Talat Mahmood have the power to evoke nostalgia like no other.

Their voices are not just sounds but stories—of love, longing, hope, and heartbreak—wrapped in orchestral magic.

I remember lazy Sunday afternoons when the radio would hum “Lag jaa gale…” in the background, my mother humming along as she chopped vegetables in the kitchen.

Those songs seemed to float through the walls and settle in the heart. They were not loud or aggressive, but gentle and poetic, like a monsoon drizzle.

More Than Just Entertainment

Classic Hindi music is not merely entertainment; it’s history preserved in melody. Each composition holds the scent of a time gone by, when lyrics were dipped in shayari and meaning, not just rhythm.

A song like “Woh Shaam Kuch Ajeeb Thi” captures the essence of a moment so beautifully that one feels transported to that wistful evening.

When I listen to these songs today, I don’t just hear them—I feel them. In “Chingari Koi Bhadke,” I sense the deep thoughts; in “Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli,” I feel the beauty of life’s mysteries. These songs hold both wisdom and emotion.

Music and Mood

Music has always been my emotional thermometer. On joyful days, you might find me dancing with my partner to “Eena Meena Deeka” with laughter in the air.

On reflective evenings, I lose myself in the melancholic charm of “Kya Hua Tera Wada.” Each song becomes a mirror of my soul’s current state.

Interestingly, the power of music lies not just in its ability to uplift but also in its capacity to heal. During difficult times in life—be it health issues or emotional turmoil—music has been my quiet therapist. It listens without judgment and speaks without interruption.

Genre as Identity

Choosing a favorite genre is like revealing a piece of one’s inner identity. The music we gravitate toward reflects our values, our temperament, and even our worldview.

For me, the classic Hindi genre resonates because it values emotion over noise, poetry over flash, and melody over speed.

This doesn’t mean I shy away from other forms. I enjoy Sufi, ghazals, soft rock, and even instrumental jazz on occasion. But when it comes to heart-to-heart connection, nothing touches me quite like “Tere Bina Zindagi Se Koi…”

Music in Daily Life

In retirement, music has woven itself more intricately into the fabric of my day. Morning tea feels more alive when paired with “Jaane Woh Kaise Log The…”

My blog-writing often begins with a soulful track setting the emotional tone. Painting sessions are accompanied by the soft murmur of a tune playing in the background, guiding the brushstroke.

Even during my walks, music fills my ears through headphones, turning the path into poetry.

I believe that music is a gift—a universal language that transcends age, caste, and creed. It bridges generations. Sometimes, my granddaughter and I share moments over music.

While she may prefer Taylor Swift or K-pop, we still find common ground in a hummed tune or a dance shared in joy.

Final Submission

So, to answer the question—What is my favorite genre of music?—I say with a smile:It’s the golden era of Hindi music, where every note had purpose, every word had soul, and every song felt like a handwritten letter to the heart.

In this noisy, fast-paced world, these melodies remind me to pause, to feel, and to celebrate the simple yet profound rhythm of life.

And perhaps, in the end, that is what music is truly meant to do—
not just to entertain, but to awaken our memories, stir our emotions, and help us remember who we truly are.

Whether it’s a forgotten tune from our youth or a melody that wraps around our heart like a warm shawl, music remains one of life’s most beautiful gifts—a timeless companion in every season of the soul.

Thank you for taking this melodic journey with me today.
Stay tuned to the music within you.
Until next time—
Keep listening, keep feeling, and keep living your song.

Warm regards,
Vijay Verma
www.retiredkalam.com

Categories: infotainment

Tags: #Life, #mental health, #Music, #poetry, blog, dailyprompt, dailyprompt-1991, featured