Kavita Kler presents on the topic of music and writing. She discusses how music has always been a big part of her life and influences her writing. She listens to both Western and Asian music which provides inspiration for her lyrics. Kavita explains that writing songs is a way for her to express her emotions and share her problems. She believes music has helped shape her identity and allows her to better communicate with others. Kavita concludes by performing one of her original songs.

1. Music/Writing
and Me.
Kavita Kler.

2. Introduction;
Who can say that they do not have an interest in music?
Who can argue that music hasn’t affected them, in one time in their lives?
If anyone can say that music has not affected them, then can someone answer
the question of why are there first dances at weddings?
Why do we have favourite songs that we class as ‘ours’?
I’ve chosen to focus on Music for this presentation, because not only is it
something that’s involved in my life daily, it’s something that can relate to
a lot of people, if not everyone in the world.

3. Definition of Music
• an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured
and continuous manner
• any agreeable (pleasing and harmonious) sounds; "he fell asleep to the music of the wind chimes"
• musical activity (singing or whistling etc.); "his music was his central interest"
• (music) the sounds produced by singers or musical instruments (or reproductions of such sounds)
• punishment for one's actions; "you have to face the music"; "take your medicine"
wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

4. Statistics
According to the study, Kids & Media @ The New Millennium music is a
dominant force in kids' lives. "After TV, music is the medium of choice for most
kids, especially older teens," said Donald F. Roberts, Jr., Ph.D., professor of
communication at Stanford University and an author of the study.
Amount of time kids spend each day, on average:
Listening to music 1:27
Percent of kids who spend more than an hour a day:
Listening to CDs or tapes 19%
Amount of time kids spend each week, on average:
Listening to music 10:04
(Key for times: Hour:Minutes)

5. Escapism in Music
I began to believe from a very young age that a problem shared was a problem halved,
at least. But when there was nobody to share with, I turned to pen and paper. My
problems became euphemisms in my poems, which later became lyrics. Instead of
feeling engrossed and melancholy from reading my problems on paper, because I
had euphemised them subconsciously, I felt pride and relief oozing out of me
instead. This figure of ‘nobody’ that I had to share my problems with, became an
entity of a whole separate world, that was clear and defined by me. It’s a world I
admire and look up to, to this very day.
How does this link to my interest in Music?
I believe that Music influenced me in writing from the very beginning. To be aware of
how to write such things as poems or lyrics, I personally believe an understanding
of rhythm is required. Music was always present in my mind, just not one set
genre. That’s where writing songs came into the equation.

7. Religion & Culture
My religion plays a part in the music I choose to listen to. It’s influenced me from such a young
age, however I class myself as a British-Asian. I will put the ‘British’ at the forefront, so my
views on certain Asian things are blurry whereas for certain members of my family, e.g.
grandparents, it’s not.
I have split my religion and culture, when it comes to Music. I look to Asian music for melodies
and rhythm, and I look to British music for lyrics and meaning. This enables me to easily
understand and appreciate two wholly different genres, without difficulty.
Going back to ‘Definition of Music’, I can link directly to the first definition I found;
• an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured
and continuous manner
The main words that stand out for me there are ‘artistic’ and ‘communication’. I believe my
Religion and Culture, and the two main music I listen to, Western and Asian, provided great
aid and inspiration for the lyrics I chose to write, whenever I needed to express some
emotion.

8. My Lyrics
The lyrics I write are euphemisms for daily negatives, and exaggerations of daily highs. Music is so
important to me, because with it, I can give my lyrics a rhythm, and it’s a way to feed my
creativity.
Many of the songs I have written have upbeat temps, contradicting their meaning. I indulge in
making my lyrics the most meaningful, such as most of the Western music lyrics’ are,
however, with my influence of Indian music from my cultural background, I always try and
put a contagious rhythm to the tune.

9. It’s Personal
If I was to pick an aspect of myself that was as important for a stranger to know and understand
as say, my beliefs, then that would be my admiration towards the wonder of Music, as a
whole.
I feel that by writing songs, I am idolising and prioritising something that I love. My previous
‘Statistics’ slide, shows that many people have the same passion towards Music. Although the
amount of exposure to Music, the statistics state, could be harmful, these ‘kids’ may feel as
though by listening to music, they are actively acknowledging it and openly admiring it, as I do
when I write songs.

10. Cultural
Representation
I personally believe that writing songs puts my ‘Identity’, and how I come across to people, in a
different hierarchy, than say to someone who didn’t know I was fond of writing songs.
My theory is that a performer, for example, may not be entirely appreciated, as there are so
many around, of a certain age group, performing the same material, but a song-writer, or
composer may be more valued as they aren’t as common. This can lead onto High Culture
and Low Culture. A performer, in this case would be classed as Low Culture, whereas a
song-writer or composer would be classed as High Culture, in my eyes, simply because of
accessibility.
Using that theory of mine, I’ve come to the conclusion that the Music and writing I am capable of
producing, although it is a creative, not-so common talent, places me in a Low Culture field. I
feel this because, my music steers towards an Indie/Pop fashion, which can link to
Socialisation, as most of my peers enjoy listening to that genre of music.

11. ‘High Culture’ Writing
For me, many High and Low Culture materials are all based from stereotypes. Oil paintings, to
abstract art, I am sure many people could say what they believe were High and Low Culture
from those two examples. The definition that I had chosen to look at in a bit more depth had
the word ‘artistic’ within in. The stereotype that is based in many people’s minds concerning
art, means that many people see ‘Art’ as a whole, as a High Culture piece.
In my opinion, my song writing places me in a Low Culture genre, but the processes that I go
through when it comes to writing, I believe, are all High Culture. This is because, I don’t
think that many people can go through the same thought process that I go through, and
produce some writing that is similar to mine. That’s why I included the word ‘artistic’ above,
as for me, song writing is a creative piece, and I believe that is what has made me into the
person I am today.
This links to my Identity, as it provides me with a reassuring confidence, which enables me to
show through my Open Self just how important and natural a thing like song writing is to me.

12. Ideal Self
Linking back to my, ‘It’s Personal’ slide, I am able to understand now that the lyrics that I
produce, are a way of me trying uncover an Ideal Self, of myself. Because I feel as though I
subconsciously euphemise my writing when I’m in a bad mood, it could be down to my
Unknown Self, yet I try to cover this with my Open Self, as, due to the fact that I am totally
conscious of what I am writing, I unknowingly change the meaning of my songs, as it could be
a part of me wanting to escape from the melancholy mood that I’m in.
My Blind Self could also be playing a role in this, as I am quite obviously not aware of when I
euphemise in my writing, but am made aware of it, later on when I read through my lyrics, as
I realise I have completely changed the perspective of the emotion I was feeling.
These factors can all link directly to my Identity, as they are all aspects of me that I am or am not
aware of.

13. Identity; Influences from
my writing
I believe that song writing has moulded my Identity over the years. When I deconstructed the
definition of Music that I believe reflects me the most, I highlighted the words ‘artistic’ and
‘communication’. I believe now, that Music has become that aspect of my Identity, which
enables me to communicate with people easier. I believe that with song writing, I have
something to always fall back on, and so I am not afraid of getting involved in daily dramas
with my peers, or trying new things out.
When I mentioned Socialisation, writing songs enables me to connect with people that I am
mostly with and around, as I am forever influenced by them, as I share a part of their daily
lives. So in simple terms, song writing has become my defence and offence, as I deal with life.
It’s a totally natural way for me to communicate with people, and for me to communicate
about people.

14. Kav – Take Me Granted
Lyrics
Why don’t you just calm down, love?
This isn’t no everlasting love
Who believes in all that, anyway?
It’s Medusas head; it’s a myth to this day
And you can’t prove me wrong until you prove it
You’ve never had it all; don’t be afraid to lost it
Who believe in all that, anyway?
Step onto the cracks; is your momma okay?
And I wouldn’t call this cocky
I wonder if I would feel different, if I didn’t have your body close to me, tonight
And I wonder if I would feel different, if I didn’t have your body close to me, tonight, tonight
I’ve mistaken streetlights for stars
Everything seems so pretty when you look from afar
Is that what you think we look like to them?
I’d rather play it straight; I am no harlequin
And I am not that one to break a promise
But they’re so clumsy, happens without notice
Who believes in all them, anyway?
You’re such a fool; it’s hard to keep a straight face
No, I wouldn’t call this cocky
I wonder if I would feel different, if I didn’t have your body close to me, tonight
I wonder if I would feel different, if I didn’t have your body close to me, tonight
And I wonder if I would feel different, if I didn’t have your body close to me, tonight, no, no
I will take you for granted, and I wouldn’t call it cocky
I will take you for granted, would it be different, without your body
I will take you for granted, and I wouldn’t call it cocky
I will take you for granted, would it be different, without your body
No, I wouldn’t call it cocky
I wonder if I would feel different, if I didn’t have your body close to me, tonight
I wonder if I would feel different, if I didn’t have your body close to me, tonight

15. Thank you for ‘listening’ to me
and Debussy – Clair de Lune

16. References
http://www.google.co.uk/images?hl=en&source=imghp&q=music+notes&gbv=2&aq=f&aqi
=g10&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2502/3927888686_20ddd0dddb_o.jpg
http://robertarood.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/beethoven.jpg
http://ocw.hcmuaf.edu.vn/NR/rdonlyres/Music-and-Theater-Arts/21M-291Spring-2007/98643AE5-1CB2-4
http://www.speakwell.com/well/2005autumn/cinema/how%20many%20roads.jpg
http://www.doobybrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/sara-bareilles-love-song-lyrics.jpg
http://www.google.co.uk/
http://www.irishuk.com/images/C/ti_tokidoki_main.jpg
http://www.noogenesis.com/game_theory/johari/johari_window.html