Ganapati thAlam

Shiva is the ‘white’ (from which all colors diverge). In Universe, Shiva is Energy from which all matter & beings diverge. But we do not perceive energy directly. We perceive Energy through ‘Momentum’, the Shakti. Science describes Energy Momentum as inseparable pair (like ardha-nareeswara).

In Music, Shiva is the Silence (anahata nAdam) from which excitation/flow of sounds(nAdam) emerge. This nAdam is the Shakti. Flow of sounds is invariably mixed with silence in music. Ganapati means leader of the ‘ganas’ (herds). tAlam governs the motion of ‘herds’ of swaras in music.

Work governs the motion of ‘particles’ in the Universe. Hence they are Gana-pati. At the start of any activity, we invoke Ganapati, the one who governs the motion through space and time, to help us make it like a beautifully regulated, structured music. Elephants live in ‘ganas’ (herds) and have a ‘pati’ or leader (matriarch).

They also have six angas or parts like ‘tAlam’ or ‘work’. 1. Elephant head 2.Fan ears 3.Small eyes 4. Long tusks 5.Long Trunk 6.Big Belly. Hence Ganapati is equated to Elephant.