Music a great integrator of Indian minds NRIs: Kalam

New Delhi, Apr 9 (UNI) President A P J Abdul Kalam today said music is a great integrator of minds of 22 million people of Indian origin settled in various parts of the world.

''The nation is grateful to various exponents of music in India for the great contribution you are making in preserving music and promoting unity of minds among the billion of the nation of multi-religion, multi- culture and multi language.'' Indeed, music is a great integrator of minds of people of Indian origin settled in various parts of the planet,'' President Kalam said after conferring the Indian Music Academy awards to music maestros Ali Akbar Khan, Dr BalamurliKrishna, Ms Girija Devi, Music director Illyaraja and playback singer Asha Bhonsale at a function here.

Describing music as an expression of creativity, he said its development required inherent talent, training, consistent hardwork, audience to appreciate and encouragement from professional fora.

In this context, he described musicians as a powerful instrument in social transformation.

''Musicians can play significant roles. Musicians can sing songs of development. Dramatists can give shape to the vision of the nation. I am fully convinced that art, music, dance and drama gives connectivity to multiple variants in the society.'' '' Music indeed integrates minds, brings peace to the agitated minds and leads to positive thinking. Social organisations, corporate houses and government agencies have to evolve a methodology for using the classical music for bringing harmony and peace in society,''Dr Kalam said.

UNI