Music Therapy

MUSIC THERAPY

Across the world, music therapy is
being used to treat a variety of health disorders.

Is there better proof of music therapy than a
lullaby that puts a child to sleep? Music appreciation begins right in the
womb, with the foetus listening to the mother's heartbeat and her choice of
music. It has been proved that after birth, the child shows an inclination to
listen to what it heard as a foetus.

A small time musician and organiser of music
sabhas, veteran Ananda Mohan vouches he falls sleep when he sets electronic
tambura in low volume and comfortable shruti. “This replaces sedatives prescribed
by doctor,” he says.

Indian music therapy is an integration of ancient
healing practices and musical traditions coupled with modifications derived by
current clinical practices. ‘Music Therapy' is a commonly heard phrase though
not much in vogue in India. This idea was popularised in south by Mangalampalli
Balamuralikrishna. He even put in effect some effort in this direction.
Spiritual guru Ganapathi Satchidananda of Mysore is an active practitioner of
music therapy with the help of some reputed musicians of the south. Of course
he adds a pinch of spiritualism and calls it ‘Naada Chikitsa'. Raga
Chikistsa was the original Sanskrit treatise that dealt with curative
ragas with mood-enhancing characteristics, used in clinical application.

Vedic lore says ‘Samaveda' paved the way for music.
Perfect chant with apt stress on each syllable of ‘Mantra' emanates its own
power. Experiments with sound and its effects proved that the ‘Omkara' Nadam in
a particular frequency sounds as though lifting mortal soul to celestial
heights. And sound beyond certain decibels can send some to psychiatric care.
Some Indian ragas when sung well said to have caused rains, eased disturbed
persons, and even led to crops and cattle giving a better yield. Apparently
some ragas are earmarked for the nine emotions or Navarasas. Some ragas, claim
musicians, have healing effects as these nine emotions rule our body and mind.

Across the world, physicians, surgeons,
psychiatrists, psychologists are seeking the help of music therapists for better
results. Music therapy is now an established health profession. In this system
the doctor first assesses the needs of the patient. A qualified music therapist
indicates what choice of raga and tala and whether it is vocal or instrumental
music that suits the patient. While instruments provide a continuous melodic
pleasure, vocal music adds a pinch of spiritual element through the lyrical
content.

A serious music therapy session too requires case
study to first assess whether this medium of therapy can be extended to improve
motor and emotional skills for effective treatment. Music is more suited for
palliative care and hence should always be combined with traditional treatment.
In some hospitals, even in India, mellow music is played to divert and relax patients.
Behavioural disorders like schizophrenia, anxiety and autism suit music
therapy, say doctors.

There is also what is called ‘Melodic Intonation
Therapy' that corrects speech disorders. Stroke therapy yields better fast
results if music therapy is added, say doctors. This proficiency needs
knowledge in theory and practice of music with added creative skills (manodharma).

Music therapy is said to have been practiced from
Biblical times. Aristotle described music as a force that purified emotions.
Hippocrates, father of modern medicine, was said to have been playing music to
treat his mental patients. It is said that 13th century Arab hospitals had
music rooms attached. Mental trauma of soldiers in war fields is addressed by
performing music before them. It is a kind of ‘Neurological Music Therapy'.
Paediatric wards abroad are filled with toys and musical instruments.

“If you can use music carefully you can reach into
the child's potential for development,” says Dr. Clive Robbins who runs a Music
Therapy Clinic in USA. “It is a great tool of power in managing neurological
disorders like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's,” says Dr. Oliver Sacks. Music
organises cerebral function. This raga-based approach broadly involves
application of musical pieces with a specific emphasis on swara patterns,
embellishments and appropriate rhythms.

Practice of music therapy is flourishing in western
countries like the UK and in the USA. music therapists function under the
umbrella of an organisation called ‘Association of Music Therapy (AMTA)'. Some
doctors run music therapy sessions in UK, US, South Africa, Australia and
Germany.