Communication Media - Essay Example

COMMUNICATION MEDIA Selected Medium "Songs" The paper is dedicated to analyze the significance of songs or music as a powerful medium of communication or a tool of communication. Mostly we think that music or songs are only for the entertainment purpose and don't play any other role in our life. But the fact is that songs and music have always been important in history, worship, reducing stress, and reinforcing your goals in life. Moreover music has its physical, mental and emotional effects on the mind of the listener. It is an important medium of communication in today's world and is one of the older mediums as well. Nature provided the crude basis of music with the arrival of life on earth in form of the murmuring water, whistle of the wind, the hiss of flame, rumble of earth and thunder of sky. Additionally songs are also used as alternative mean of communication for children who do not respond adequately to traditional treatment approaches. Physiotherapist through out the world use music or songs to do therapies and believe that it's a way of relaxing the mind and body of human being. Not only human beings but birds also use songs as a tool of communication. K.L.Raman, in "Music the powerful medium of communication says that," music stands as one of the most ethereal of all the fine arts. It does not depend upon any material medium for expression"1 Many researchers have done research to prove the importance of music in human life and succeeded in doing so. Very few musicians have succeeded to compose good music which contains some positive message. Michael Jackson is one of the names among singers who enjoyed crest of success and a mammoth fan following through out the world. He represented black people and had used songs as a tool of communication. Fortunately his communication medium was so effective that people still listen to his songs with the same passion when the singer is no more. K.L.Raman, in his publication named "Music the powerful medium of communication" also says that," the early part of this century witnessed the emergence of Subramanian bharti-a- poet per excellence and great freedom fighter. He too had implicit faith in communicating to the masses through the medium of songs which he used to sing extempore"2 Another name in this category is of a female artist Noor Jehan from who has sung songs to boost up the morale of Pakistani Army at kargil war (fought between India and Pakistan).Many people believe that her songs enabled young soldiers to die for their country with such a great passion. This was the power of this specific medium that not only contains healing power but also had the power to reinforce our goals of life. Sometimes we listen to a particular song and think that this is made for us as it represent our goals of life, dreams or the way I want to live life. It won't be wrong if we say that songs have become the tool of mass media. History of human world is a strong evidence of the power of songs and one of its example is the freedom of African American or "black people" when they accepted Christianity and started composing songs to preach the particular religion. They also used songs as a medium to express their feelings after getting freedom. These songs contain lyrics like: Steal away, steal away, steal away to Jesus Steal away, steal away, home I aint got so long to stay here My lord He calls me, He call me by the thunder The trumpet sounds within my soul I aint got so long to stay here Many Africans accepted Christianity after hearing such effective lyrics. People remember the freedom of African Americans because of these songs so directly or indirectly these songs also played an important role in analyzing the history of African Americans as well. Music is no longer used for entertainment purpose only but a sort of infotainment that portrays our thoughts, ideologies, religion and needs in some cases as well. Robert Wyatt has also composed lyrics on mass media as a tool of communication which says: And as history slips out of view bated breath for the nine o'clock news reassembled right before your very eyes: innuendo rumor and lies Endless fun and games steal a headline, name some names we're so proud that our press feel so free to manipulate them you and me And as each campaign begins to absolve us of our sins I see freedom sold by the yard it's so easy why make it hard May be these lyrics are not that important for us but after some time when the forms of communication will take a new shape then people will know about the history of mass mediums through such lyrics and they will become the source of information for coming cohorts. Good lyrics along with fine music make song effective enough to reach somewhere deep in our souls. This powerful medium has its impact on every gender of society as Faber & Faber, in "the importance of music to girls" says, "For the misfits, there will always be music. As thesound track to basement parties, late-night drives, and solitary rituals of self-pity, the right music gives context and momentum to the bewildering process of growing up"3 Every culture of the world has cultural songs that represent their culture and ideologies. The purpose of composing such songs is to let the historians of coming generation know about the particular culture and indirectly a message that the particular culture doesn't want itself to be forgotten from minds of the people. Cultural genocide is one of such cultural songs and following are its lyrics: you family's lived here for generations but you can't afford it no more we're making room for the corporations got no room for the poor rent is up, so you are out, we fall deaf to all your cries this use to be your neighborhood now you've been gentrified what's really at the stake ain't real estate you're talking about people's lives rip the heart from a community their culture surely dies they call it progress but who moves ahead the people who control the wealth 'cause of their actions people end up dead they only care about themselves playing god, who goes who stays Who are you to decide They call it progress but it is a cultural genocide gentrified, genocide For us these lyrics are representative of our current situation but its history for coming generations. Music is an art and everyone is fully aware of its universal appeal irrespective of language, caste or dogma. Keats says about such art: "Forever warm and still to be enjoyed Forever panting and forever young" All these facts prove that music was and is used as a tool of communication and is a powerful medium of communication as well. Today the songs or lyrics that are dedicated to represent cultures, religions or ideologies will be used by historians of tomorrow to analyze the history. Many young artists of today use music as a way to reinforce the mutual goal of today's young generation and boost up their morals to do what they should do and majority of these songs are liked by masses. Along with TV, radio, internet, publications and other forms of communication song is also a communication medium which is much older then all the mentioned forms. Researchers, historians and media people have accepted songs as a communication medium and so did many of common people. No wonder the way this medium is progressing; it could become one of the most popular medium of communication among masses sooner or later. References Faber & Faber, "the importance of music to girls" Selected edition: Paperback; ISBN: 9780571230297; Published: 14.08.2008 K.L.Raman, "Music the powerful medium of communication", Tamilnadu Eyal Isai Nataka Man dram, Madras Read More