4 Hours of Relaxing Tibetan Music Sleep, Meditation, Stress Relief

MUSIC THERAPY 

সঙ্গীত থেরাপি संगीत चिकित्सा

音楽療法Terapi musik 

Terapia musical

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.