Invitations and India's music

An informal invitation letter to family:

• your address and the date;
• 'Dear Grandpa and Grandma';
• a line asking after their health;
• the event's details: what, date, time, venue;
• a warm request to come;
• 'Yours affectionately' and your name.

Use I, we, you and a warm, personal tone.

The yazh, an ancient harp of Tamil music, is the ancestor of the modern veena. Its stem tip was carved as the head of the mythical Yali, with a wooden, skin-covered, boat-shaped resonator. Its kinds were named after the peacock, crocodile, fish and bow string.

Music and healing. The ancient text Raga Chikitsa describes music's healing powers; *Sangita Sudha* (17th century) describes music's effect on emotions. Music therapy is used today too.

The seven swaras (notes) of Indian classical music: Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni.