The incense burning peacefully under his windowsill contrasted with the heavy, cantankerous noises of Mumbai’s fuming traffic below. Above it all, my music guru was practicing. It was ludicrous: Here I stood before a powerful presence while surrounded by numerous distractions: the noises of locals loudly trading below, the cacophony of soap operas sobbing next door, and children running into the tight passageway, passionately swearing in Hindi while casually playing cricket. He was so wrapped up in the art...

I have romanced one lady for the longest part of my life. She held me when I needed hope and waited secretly for me behind lunch tables and the schoolyard, waiting for me to privately share both pain and happiness. Sometimes, we met away from the prying eyes of onlookers and family, surreptitiously, hurrying to a concert hall or practice room late into the night. I have even dreamed about her when I could not afford to embrace her, lest...

I made sure to show application readers my love for music. I showed it in the CA arts supplement as well as my personal statement. When you love something,...