大象传媒

Writer and Musician, Jahnavi Harrison:聽
The other day, watching the wonder that is Katherine Jenkins sing in honour of VE Day, I was thinking about how music has carried the human spirit through the hardest of times, far beyond anything I can ever imagine experiencing. How a simple song can become a beacon of hope. The quarantine period has convinced me more than ever before that music's a special and unique medicine.聽
As soon as the lockdown started, choirs and bands up and down the country started figuring out so many creative ways of coming together online to make a joyful noise. And though it seems so long ago, I'll never forget how touched I was by those videos of Italians on their balconies singing opera and playing accordions and pots and pans. And then there's been the musicians like Chris Martin and John Legend I never thought I'd be serenaded to as I tucked into bed!聽
For my part, about a week into lockdown I felt like I needed to make a daily time for music and meditation, for my own survival and to hold a space of prayer for the world. I'd never done much online broadcasting from home but I jumped in headfirst. Every night my family and I hosted one hour of mantra music in our living room. I thought maybe twenty people or so would tune in. We were shocked when 400 joined on the first night! It grew to 700 and hovered there pretty much every night, for the past five weeks!聽
Those sacred hours got us through what's been a deeply challenging time of loss and uncertainty. And it's helped me strengthen my own commitment to making music. There's nothing like trying to record backing vocals in your wardrobe while a lawnmower's going next door, to test your resolve! But, that's what I found myself doing a month ago when I wanted to finish something special I'd started before the virus hit. It's an ancient mantra of prayer and hope that I've recorded with my new friend Willow Smith. I've been praying that when it comes out, it resonates with many hearts and offers a space to pause, take a deep breath, and smile, inside and out. And thanks to a duvet as soundproofing, you can't hear the lawnmower!