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A Musical Road Trip by Shyama Panikkar

 Music is an integral part of the development of a child. Many parents strive to introduce children to music, especially classical music, at a young age. Along this journey, some resources can make the path fun and more engaging. A Musical Road Trip by Shyama Panikkar is one such resource. 

Shyama Panikkar is trained in classical music. She is also a mother to a toddler. Hence, she has an authentic perspective on how to engage young minds in the realm of music. A Musical Road Trip is a picture book and follows a road journey that young Tara takes with her parents. They witness the amazing creations of nature as they travel. However, hidden amidst the sounds of birds and animals are the seven notes, Sa Re Ga Me Pe Dha Ni. 

As the young reader journeys with Tara, the child gets the sense of a connection between an animal or bird, and a sound. For example, Sa emerges from the magnificent peacock. There is also a bit of trivia on the note and what it represents. So, for instance, Dha stands for ‘Dhaivat’ which means ‘Divine’. The note represents compassion and is represented by the neighing of a horse. 

Lotta Farber’s illustrations add to the vibrancy of this journey as we travel across the pages. The book is comprehensive in the information it gives, but at the same time, it is not a bit overwhelming. By the end of this journey, the parent and the child-reader will have discovered essential information about the seven notes that form the foundation of Indian classical music. they would know the nuances of their origins. But most importantly, A Musical Road Trip will help discover the intricate and inextricable bond that music has with nature! 

Dhanishta Shah

Dhanishta is a Counselling Psychologist and a freelance writer. She is the Founder of Bookedforlife.