Derived from the Greek word mousike or the art of the muses, music is the art of arranging sounds in time through the elements of melody, harmony, rhythm, and timbre and is one of the universal cultural aspects of all human societies. Different styles or types of music may emphasise, de-emphasize or omit some of these elements. Music is performed with a vast range of instruments and vocal techniques ranging from singing to rapping and there are solely instrumental pieces, solely vocal pieces like songs without instrumental accompaniment and pieces that combine singing and instruments.

Also known as World Music Day or Make Music Day, the Fête de la Musique is an annual music celebration that takes place on 21 June where people are urged to play music outside in their neighbourhoods or public spaces and parks. Free concerts are also organised, where musicians play for fun and not for payment. World Music Day later became celebrated in 120 countries around the world.

The first all-day musical celebration on the day of the summer solstice was originated by Jack Lang, then Minister of Culture of France, as well as by Maurice Fleuret, a French composer, music journalist, and radio producer who was also the Director of Music and Dance at the ministry. He discovered in a 1982 study on the cultural habits of the French, that in a population of five million people, one young person out of two, played a musical instrument and so began to dream of a way to bring people out on the streets. The first edition of the World Music Festival first took place in 1982 in Paris as the Fête de la Musique. Since then, the festival has become an international phenomenon, celebrated on the same day in more than 700 cities in 120 countries, including India, Germany, Italy, Greece, Russia, Australia, Peru, Brazil, Ecuador, Mexico, Canada, the United States, the UK, and Japan.

The goal of Fête de la Musique, or World Music Day is to provide thousands of free concerts throughout the day with public areas brimming with live music and participatory music-making opportunities. On this day, amateur and professional musicians are encouraged to perform in the streets, under the slogan Faites de la musique or Make music and many free concerts are organized, making all genres of music accessible to the public. Two of the caveats to being sanctioned by the official Fête de la Musique organisation in Paris are that all concerts must be free to the public, and all performers donate their time free of charge.

To mark this day, veterans and budding learners come out to showcase their talent and make music. Every year on this day, free concerts are held across the world to make music accessible to all.

So tomorrow, make some music or if, like me, you do not have any musical talent, then listen to your favourite music and let the magic take you on a wonderful journey!