MUSIC THERAPY

“Music is the language of all
Music is the language of God “
We all love music and it is our sole companion at different instances. Music not only delivers an assortment of emotional feelings but also plays a vital role in medicine.
“Simply put, music can heal people… Music helps all types of people remain forever young”
–Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev)
THE POWER OF MUSIC IN THERAPY :
Music therapy is the prescribed use of music by a qualified person to effect positive changes in the psychological, physical, cognitive, and social functioning of individuals with health, emotional, or educational problems.
It is used successfully with children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly with mental health needs, developmental disabilities, Alzheimer’s disease and other aging-related conditions, substance abuse problems, brain injuries, physical disabilities, and acute and chronic pain.
Music therapists assess emotional well-being, physical health, social functioning, communication abilities, and cognitive skills through musical responses; design music sessions for individuals and groups based on client needs using music improvisation, receptive music listening, song writing, lyric discussion, music and imagery, music performance, and learning through music. They participate in interdisciplinary treatment planning, ongoing evaluation, and follow-up.
Researchers have shown that music therapy is effective in patients. It has been shown that clinically depressed patients who were made to listen to soft, dissonant-free, melodic music gradually became more emotional and rhythmical.
RAGAS in therapy :
Hindustani/classical music considers ragas as depicting specific moods. An appropriate mood is to be evoked in the listener’s mind before initiating the musical treatment.
RAGAS CHARACTERISTICS SONGS
Darbari Kanada Very effective in easing tension. “Aagaya vennilavae(Arangetra vaelai)””Munbae vaa en anbae vaa (Jillunu oru kadal)”
Kaapi Evokes a humid, cool, soothing and deep mood. “Hey paadal ondru(Film: Priya)””Gumm summ gumm (Paa)“
Bageshri Arouses a feeling of darkness, stability, depth and calmness. “Mazhai varuthu mazhai varuthu (Film: Raja kaaiyavecha)”
Behag and Kanada For patients suffering from insomnia and need a peaceful sonorous sleep. [Behag]“Un paarvayil oar ayiram(Amman kovil kizhakkaalae)”
[kanada]
“Alaipayuthe kanna(Alaipayuthe)”
“Poo maalai vaangi vandhan(Film:Sindhu Bairavi)”
Malkauns and Natabairavi Helps to cure low blood pressure. [Natabairavi]“Maniyae mani kuyilae(Film: Naadodi thendral)”
Varam Considered very helpful for heart ailments.
Nalinakanti, Hansdhwani, Kalavati, Durga. Prominent ragas for relaxation and easing tension. They evoke a very pleasing effect on the nerves. [Nalinakanti]“Endhan nenjil neengadha thendral (Film :Kalaingan)”
[Hansdhwani]
“Vaa va vaa vaa kanna vaa(Film: Vaelaikaran)”
“Sri ranga ranganadhanin paadham(Film:Mahanadhi)”
Hamsanandi Evokes sweet, deep, heavy, cloudy and stable state of mind.
Mishra Mand Has a very pleasing, refreshing, light and sweet touch
Bhupali and Subhapanthuvarali Give tremendous relief to patients of high blood pressure.
Ahir-Bhairav (Kafi +Bhairav) Supposed to sustain a chord which automatically brings down blood pressure.
• Ragas are closely related to different parts of the day according to changes in nature and development of a particular emotion, mood or sentiment in the human mind.
• Bhairav(Mayamalava Gaulai) is sung an hour before dawn, Ramkali at dawn, Vilavali at sunrise, Sarang at noon, Nata and Malava in the afternoons, Gaudi in the evenings, Kalyan(Mecha Kalyani) at night, Kedara(Kedar-Neelembari), Chandra and Bihag late in the night.
• It is a late night raga composed by Tansen for Akbar to relieve his tension after hectic schedule of the daily court life.This raga belongs to “Asavari(Natabairavi) Thaat” and is a complete raga containing all the seven notes. The seven notes are taken from various natural sounds of birds and animals.
• Music therapy treatment is conducted either early morning, evening or night. One should avoid long music sessions on an empty stomach. Music sessions should be of one hour duration with two or three short sessions with breaks.
With so many benefits and such profound physical effects, it’s no surprise that so many are seeing music as an important tool to help the body in staying (or becoming) healthy. Listen to music , sing , love , enjoy and relax with MUSIC.