Spirit of Humanity

Homage to ‘Maharaj’ Jam Saheb Digvijay Singhji
(Commissioned by Dhahara Vidhya Foundation)

THE JOURNEY is a heart-wrenching symphonic poem, glorifying the spirit of humanity. The Second World War provides the backdrop for the riveting tale of displacement, migration, and resettlement of Polish refugees. This symphonic poem is a musical imagination depicting the emotional upheavals, swinging between despair and hope, that the refugees, mostly children, would have undergone during their long and arduous journey from Siberia to India. They passed through many countries before finally finding a safe haven, under the royal and benevolent generosity of Jam Saheb Digvijay Singhji, the Maharaj of the erstwhile Indian princely state of Nawanagar.

The musical depictions have been divided into various sections as detailed below:

Section I – The night before the journey
Lost Souls, a melancholic aria, evokes the desolate condition of the Polish refugees, mostly children, on a dark and chilly night as they anxiously await the break of dawn.

Section II – Arrival of trucks
The opening regimental theme heralds the arrival of a long convoy of trucks. In a somber yet orderly manner, the refugees board the trucks. As the convoy moves, a chromatic theme hints at the arduous journey ahead.

Section III – The journey through different territories
As the English horn states the principal journey theme, the music expands to multiple themes exploring new keys that symbolically represent the hustle and bustle of the outside world, as the trucks move through different territories and nations. The principal theme periodically recurs to depict the progress of the journey and to restate the pangs of separation and desolation.

Section IV – Misfortune strikes
Mishaps plague the desolate refugees, as misfortune strikes in the form of starvation, malnutrition, and dehydration. Syncopated progressions abound as their misery deepens, when a few of the trucks veer off the tracks due to the narrow mountainous terrain. Yet, amidst illness and death, the journey continues.

Section V – Pathos and grief
The aftermath of misfortune is pathos, which is evoked by a theme on strings. As the theme develops, the emotion is heightened by the use of a solo soprano, culminating in a solo violin restating the theme and reflecting their feelings of pain, sorrow, and anguish.

Section VI – Desolation
With their spirits at an all time low, a sense of helplessness grips the refugees. Here, the orchestra restates the opening aria in a metaphoric representation of their desolate condition. The section ends with an imperfect cadence as the future seems uncertain and bleak.

Section VII – Ray of hope
A single faint note resolves to a new key signifying a ray of hope. The borders of India become visible, and as the music develops, the refugees’ spirits are uplifted and they feel a sense of great relief.

Section VIII – ‘The Maharaj’ - Jam Saheb Digvijay Singhji
The regal entry of the Maharaj is announced by the brass section, followed by a gentle passage by the string section, reflecting his compassionate and large-hearted nature.

Section IX – The warm welcome
The warm welcome of the Maharaj overwhelms the refugees. As they alight from the trucks, a mellifluous theme in the 7/8 time signature with an Indian flavor pervades the scene. Along with a sense of liberation, a deep sense of gratitude swells from within. This is depicted by the entry of the choir, one section upon another, as they thank the Maharaj for his noble gesture addressing him fondly as Bapu (Father).

Section X – Extolling the virtues of the Maharaj
The sublime gesture of the Maharaj is glorified through the analogy found in an ancient poem from Purananooru (a collection of ancient verses in the Tamil language written circa 600 B.C.). This poem, Undaal Amma Ivvulagam, (It’s true that such people exist!), is sung by the whole choir, accompanied by the entire orchestra. The grand finale drives home the inspiring message that humanity traverses beyond all borders.

- Anand Madhavan