Sri Aurobindo

Letters of Sri Aurobindo

Kamala’s Correspondence with
Sri Aurobindo and the Mother

Fragment ID: 15755

(this fragment is largest or earliest found passage)

Sri Aurobindo — Kamala Amin

September 22, 1932

Mother,

I am very fond of learning music. When I went to Gujarat, it was one of the reasons for going.

I went to Gujarat disobeying you. Before I left, I was not well and on reaching there my health became even worse. But as soon as I reached Pondicherry, there was a remarkable change in my physical, mental and spiritual health due to your complete Grace.

Mother arranged for my learning English and also gave me a chance to learn music with Sahana. She repeatedly told me: “If you want to learn music, you must have a harmonium to practise at home.” Mahesh brought a harmonium from Gujarat. I sent this harmonium to be shown to you through Nolini. But I did not receive any answer. I had told Sahana that I did not like this harmonium because it did not have a pleasing tone, still I started practising for half an hour -9.30 to 10.00 a.m.

Afterwards Champaklal started coming to learn music at my place. He informed me of your opinion about the harmonium. I never played it in the evening. Mahesh used to play it for sometime and Champaklal played between 7 to 7.30 p. m. Now my music practice has stopped.

What shall I do to learn music? Shall I ask for a new harmonium?

The Mother was not against your learning music, but if you practise with this bad harmonium, you will spoil your voice for ever.

Perhaps Dilip will now be able to lend you from time to time his small harmonium, as there is now a big one for Nandini and Lalita.

Mother did not mind your playing between 9 and 10 in the morning.

Sri Aurobindo