Hello, hello, hello. Wake up to World Music day!

World Music Day celebrated on June 21 has become a worldwide phenomenon. Countries across the world rejoice and celebrate in their own unique way. 

It’s a National Holiday in France! The day also known as Fete de la Musique was a music festival, which began in France in 1982. French Minister of Culture Jack Lang conceived the idea in 1981. Since then the day has been celebrated every year as the World Music Day.

According to another theory, American musician Joel Cohen in France, in 1976, proposed an all-night music celebration to mark the beginning of the summer solstice and since then the entire world celebrates World Music Day on June 21.

Now it has become a worldwide phenomenon with over 32 countries across the world celebrate the day in their own way.

On this day, musicians perform for free in parks, museums, train stations, castles etc. This helps in making all sorts of music accessible to the public. It gives an opportunity to commune and share a special bond through music.

The day is celebrated to promote peace and spread goodwill through music. World Music Day is celebrated in Argentina, Australia, Britain, Luxemburg, Germany, Switzerland, Costa Rica, China, India, Lebanon and several other countries.

Since India is a land of diversity with varied cultures, every region which has its own unique musical form celebrate the day to continue the eternal tradition of music.

Some Indian musicians aired their views on WMD…

Mika Singh: Music by itself is a healing process. No matter what culture, caste or country you belong to, music touches all. I feel privileged to be a part of the Indian chapter of The Voice, an international platform that brings out the true potential of aspiring singers. Rock on! Happy World Music Day!!

Sunidhi Chauhan: For me, every day is a ‘World Music Day’. The music industry is surging ahead by leaps and bounds. You can never tell which remote corner of the country will produce the next prodigy.

Himesh Reshamiya: Our country is blessed with a humongous range of exceptional talent and amazingly most of them are self-taught.

Shaan: Music has, and always will be my passion. It’s the reason, among others, that keeps me young and energetic and keeps the student alive in me. For me every single day is a ‘World Music Day’.

Here’s a list of quotes and sayings by musicians on what music really means to them:

Music is worthless unless it can make a complete stranger, break down and cry – Frou Frou ‘the dumbing down of love’

Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy – Ludwig Von Beethoven

Music is your own experience, your own thoughts, your wisdom. If you don’t live it, it won’t come out of your horn. They teach you there’s a boundary line to music. But, man, there’s no boundary line to art. – Charlie Parker (American bandleader, saxophonist and composer.)

A painter paints his pictures on canvas. But musicians paint their pictures on silence. We provide the music, and you provide the silence.” – Leopold Stokowski (British born American conductor known for his influence as a populariser of classical music.)

One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain. – Bob Marley

I think music in itself is healing. It’s an explosive expression of humanity. It’s something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we’re from, everyone loves music.” – Billy Joel

Rock and roll ain’t noise pollution. – AC/DC

Music must never offend the ear, but must please the listener, or, in other words, must never cease to be music.” – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Music is a world within itself, with a language we all understand” – Stevie Wonder

Musicians don’t retire; they stop when there’s no more music in them.” – Louis Armstrong

That’s what music is: entertainment. The more you put yourself into it, the more of you comes out in it.” – Kurt Cobain

  World Music Day