The Music of Hindostan c11.56

c11.56

On the other hand, the absence of definite melody precludes concerted music. Several rehearsals are necessary in order to get a dozen people to sing a hymn in unison, and to overcome the lust for ‘grace’ and *contrappunto alla mente*. When some years ago *Bande Mātaram* was being sung there were probably six different versions at half a dozen different street corners of Calcutta, of which the following, taken down from the lips of a blind man in Dalhousie Square, and sung at the top of his voice without causing a single passer by even to turn his head—so little did the mere tune convey anything—is one: