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A playlist for Messi

Messi listens to music while working on his next sketch.

I have prepared a playlist for my five-year-old son. Whenever he falls in love with a song and declares it his favorite, I add it to ‘Messi’s Favs’. I have been on it for ages and it’s turning out to be quite the ensemble. He constantly discovers new songs that tug at his heart. And I silently add them to the playlist.

Then, in the middle of the evening, when he comes to my desk to play, I subtly switch from my playlist to his, and watch his face glow.

“This is not a good song,” I say, just to tease him.

“No,” He screams. “It’s my favorite!”

He proceeds to hum the tune and runs his toy cars on imaginary roads across my table. Over my half-read book. Through my open notebook. Some days, when he’s in a good mood, he also sings along, quite often improvising the lyrics. I often join him in a duet, because a few of his favorite songs are also close to my heart. We sway together to the tune, father and son, united by music.

As his playlist continues and he discovers that the next song is his favorite as well, he struggles to contain his excitement. I tease him once again. He laughs and brushes me away, well aware now that I'm simply messing with him. There's a glow on his face that makes my day.

His choices are at extremes of each other at times, influenced by the taste of his family. There are also some that he has unearthed himself.

From The Local Train’s Dil Mere to Sweet Child of Mine by Guns ‘n Roses. From Deva Deva to Proud Corazon. From simple ones like Prateek Kuhad’s Tum Jab Paas to K'naan's eternal Waving Flag.

His love for music grows by the day, and I am secretly delighted. Because life without music can be mundane. Music doesn't just soothe but also heals. It celebrates our heydays and shares our grief. It magnifies our joys and helps us fly. It can be guilty of compounding the sorrow, triggering a drizzle of tears. However, it does eventually help us survive the pain.

I have, over time, realized that Music also has the power to teleport us from the present to the yellow-tinted days of the past. Resuscitate old pains. Reminisce pleasant memories. Immerse us as easily in grief as in ecstasy.

How many times has a song taken you back to the yonder years? How often has an old tune set off a kaleidoscope of memories in your mind?

Perhaps when my son grows up, music will also help him rediscover the joyous memories of his childhood. Maybe some of his favorite songs will take him back in time. Help him relive the simple days when a brand-new toy car could be the unanimous solution to all your woes.

Until then, we will be filling up his favorite songs with everyday memories from his childhood. We shall spend our days humming our favorite tunes, banging our heads in unison, and finding peace in music. And I shall garnish his playlist with his favorite music.

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