From IT Deadlines to Flute Melodies: My Journey

Living in a city like Delhi, life can sometimes feel like a race that never ends. I am basically from Himachal—the land of mountains—but for many years now, my life has been centered around the fast-paced IT industry. Today, I work as a Tech Architect. It sounds like a big, fancy title, right? But honestly, if you look at my life about a year ago, it was anything but fancy.

I have been in IT for over 16 years. For nearly two decades, my routine was exactly the same every single day. I would wake up, rush to the office, open my laptop, and just get lost in code, architecture, and deadlines. Then, I’d close the laptop, come back home, eat, and sleep. Next day? Same thing. Sometimes, months would go by without me doing anything "extra" or creative. My mind was completely stuck in work. Even when I was home, I was thinking about servers or project plans. I felt a strange kind of boredom—not the kind where you have nothing to do, but the kind where your life feels like it has no color. I felt like there was nothing interesting left to look forward to. My energy was constantly low because my brain was always stressed.

I knew I needed something. About ten years ago, I realized that music was the only thing that helped me relieve that stress. I used to listen to songs all the time, just like everyone else. But one fine day, a thought struck me: *“Why shouldn’t I try playing a musical instrument myself?”*

Now, the question was—which one? In India, everyone wants to learn the guitar. It’s a trend. You can find a guitar teacher in every neighborhood. I also thought about the Tabla for a while because it’s so traditional. But honestly? Neither of them gave me that "spark." Then, out of nowhere, I saw a random street vendor roaming around with a bunch of bamboo flutes. On an impulse, I went up to him and bought a simple straight flute.

For a few days, I played it without any instruction or YouTube videos. I would just blow into it, trying to make a sound. Surprisingly, even those random notes made me feel better. It was the first time in years I was doing something that wasn't related to my office work. But then, as life happens, the flute went into a drawer and stayed there for a long time.

Fast forward to recently, I was telling this story to my wife. I told her how I once bought a flute and how much I liked the idea of it. She looked at me and said, “Amit, why don’t you actually start your dream? You should go for it.” That encouragement was the push I needed.

I started searching online and found some channels, but nothing really clicked. I even saw some webinars by Harsh sir, but I actually dropped out of the first one! I wasn't sure if I could do it. But then, I got an email from the Flute Gandharva team about their 90-day hackathon. Something felt right this time, and I enrolled.

It wasn't easy. My biggest enemy was my own hesitation. I was so worried about what people would think. *“What if the team says I can’t even play the basics? What if I look stupid starting this so late?”* Along with this hesitation, my work schedule was a nightmare. As an architect, my time isn't always my own. Suddenly, I stopped practicing. Six or seven months passed, and I almost gave up again.

But my family wouldn't let me quit. My wife went out and bought me a beautiful, big side flute just to encourage me. She told me, "Come out of your work schedule and find yourself on this path." Even my son would ask me, "Papa, when will you finish your course?" Then, the final nail in the coffin was an email from Harsh sir with a simple subject line: *“Finish what you have started.”*

That line hit me hard. I decided to start again with more enthusiasm than ever.

I still remember the "Wow" moment when I finally played *SA RE GA MA PA DHA NI SA* with complete clarity. It felt like a mountain had been moved. Then, shifting from a straight flute to a side flute (the Bansuri) was another struggle, but when the sound finally came out clean, I felt like a child who had just won a prize. Playing along with the *Teentaal* (rhythm) for the first time made me realize that I wasn't just "blowing air" anymore—I was actually making music.

The transformation didn't just happen in my fingers; it happened in my head. Earlier, if I had a stressful day at work or felt anxious about a project, I would just sit and brood. Now, I have a "tool" to handle my stress. Whenever I feel a bit low, I pick up my flute and start practicing my *Alankars* or I sing the *Bhupali* composition loudly. It relaxes me instantly.

Today, the flute is an essential part of my daily routine. It’s not a "hobby" anymore; it’s a necessity. I play whenever I find time. Sometimes it’s late at night when I’m struggling to fall asleep, or sometimes it’s in the morning after I drop my son at school. Before, music felt like a "course" or a subject to study. Now, it feels like music is everywhere. I’ve even started singing loudly in front of the TV without worrying if I’m perfectly in tune or not!

Looking back, those 16 years of just "opening and closing a laptop" feel so distant. I am still a Tech Architect, and I still have deadlines, but now there is a melody playing in the background of my life. I’ve completed my foundation journey, I have my "Foundation Finisher" T-shirt, and I am so excited to move into the next phase. I can finally say with confidence: "Yes, I know how to play the flute."

If you’re stuck in a routine and feel like your energy is gone, just find your "flute"—whatever that may be. It’s never too late to finish what you started.

— Amit Kumar Delhi (Originally from Himachal Pradesh)