One can only say further that it is not impossible for every one who has an ear and heart for musical beauty to learn to appreciate the charm of Indian music and in some measure to understand it ; and that this attitude is far more productive of joy to oneself and to others, than the more common attitude of insular prejudice which refuses to think that there is any possibility of finding something worth appreciating in the music of India. While a good deal of training would probably be required before one could appreciate all the niceties of the classical style, it should not be difficult for any westerner to appreciate heartily the beautiful songs and melodies of good Indian musicians. We would also urge that Indian musicians should make a point of studying the principles and history of western music. The experience of the west will be of immense help to musical progress in India.
The deeper spirit of nationalism and religion shows itself in music as much, if not more than in other things. Music has a sacred purpose connected with the regeneration of the human heart, and plays an important part in almost all our dealings in the world. If, however, Indian music is to advance and to become the vehicle for the expression of the highest ideals and feelings of modern India, it needs men like Bach and Beethoven, to lead it forward and to organize it, and to give of their best to its study and application. When people are too occupied with the sciences and arts which lead to worldly prosperity, devotion to the cultural arts finds no place. Maharaja Tagore, at a lecture in Calcutta, asked those who would do something for Indian music to give more attention to the grammar of music, to the proper theory of raga and tala, and not simply to churn out of their minds anything which appeared to them to be music, in accordance with notions derived from street singers or from tradition. The science and practice of Indian music, if it is to advance, needs a great deal of original research, as well as very thorough education. Such research and cultivation of Indian music means the giving up of time and energy now spent on money-making to musical culture. It needs also the daring which, while based on a thorough knowledge of the science as it exists
