My observations on the effect of Rock music on behaviour !!

Pink Floyd, AC-DC, Metallica, Def Leppard .. heard those names ? Rock-bands and Stars ? Yeah !! I can recall how it infiltrated my college campus through just three passionate Assamese listeners, became pervasive and thereafter was raging during my college days. I was a victim of that craze too in good measure. The power of the pounding beats, the ripping leads and the volume levels could cause gyrations and tantrums in anyone so easily. And it gradually began to eat into the mind and govern one's instincts too ..the crass and incoherent lyrics, the vociferously resonating noise of guitars, high pitched lead voices and the weird images and videos. Yes, all of that was like a heady brew.

Funnily enough, there were guys and girls who had known nothing but Karagaattam or Kathakali or Kucchipudi musical themes all their lifetime being swayed by the new genre and appeal of Rock music. Then came the attempt to personify the lifestyle of the stars on stage and mimic the themes of their video albums .. guys imitating their atheistic beliefs, practicing black arts, getting high on smoking pot, drinking themselves drunk, spewing language punctuated with downright filthy words, being mavericks without a cause, showing loss of mental composure etc. Some went to the extent of copying their moral depravity too. Attire went through a transformation next with crotch grabbing & figure hugging apparel, shredded jeans, T-shirts with eerie images and vulgar catch words, amulets and talismans, unkempt hair and ear piercings etc. becoming the flavor of the times. Folks who were not into the zeitgeist were looked down upon as worthless nerds a.k.a. "pazhams".

There were occasions when guys fought over musical preferences in cultural programs and informal gatherings, one group standing in favor of lilting Indian movie songs while a larger group lobbying for the new age Rock music. Shamefully, we were not just divided by our religious, linguistic and geographical differences alone but also by our musical preferences for a change. And, I must confess that my behavior was influenced in large part by the practitioners of this degenerate form of music that appeals to the base instincts, till I received the merciful "touch of God" that bailed me out for good.

But I have a word of caution for the present day Christian Rock music lovers. To me it is the work of Satan's subtlety in facilitating a covenant or a reconciliation between good and evil to suit the times. I am able to see how unwary folks, in their expression of their love for God, are getting enticed more by the musical element of the compositions which is so persuasively and dangerously mingled with the devotional rendering of lyrics. I pray that the good Lord open the eyes of the ignorant young to the light of this fact and that he save the Church from this growing adulteration.