Prayers with music

Music has a very soothing effect on the mind. It spreads joy. We pray "Hamey andar kasara Zarthushti din shaad baad (May the Zoroastrian religion spread joy among the people of earth).” Hindus sing their bhajans, clapping, tinkling their little cymbals, accompanied by the harmonium, tabla, flute, etc. Christians have choirs, with organ or piano music. Devoted Muslims sing qawaalis in praise of God. So, why should Zoroastrians not sing their prayers accompanied by some musical instruments? Of course, this need not be done in front of the kebla in our fire temples, but we can certainly do this in assembly halls and at open-air gatherings.

India has umpteen musical tunes of which some may be selected to suit our Avesta prayers. Iran too must be having suitable musical tunes. We could import some music cassettes from Iran and find suitable tunes for our prayers. Parsi/Irani composers must think about this matter in order to spread joy through our prayers.

FARAMARZ B. SETHNA

Gandhidham, Kutch, Gujarat

fbk.sethna@gmail.com