Music therapy today, is embraced by people across the world. It also has many followers in India.
The MET league of colleges has introduced India’s first-ever educational programme in music therapy. “The power of music is unspeakable. It can be used for meditation, stress relief and to cure various other ailments like thyroid problems, depression, and hypertension. It’s also used to help autistic and hyperactive children,” explains, Dr Balaraman, P, a music therapist. The doctor also believes that music can channalise one’s thoughts towards a positive pool. “When stressed or angry, playing soothing music can calm your nerves. It helps you focus when you are confused, and yes, it helps people connect better — it’s also used as a band-aid for broken relationships.”
Music therapy has certainly struck a chord with celebrities, who are now openly supporting the method. Scottish actor Alan Cumming, the voice behind Smurf Gutsy Braveheart, recently, came out in full support of the practice, advocating music therapy as a cure for cancer patients. Twenty-year-old violinist, Aneesh V, who has given many performances across India, is releasing an album meant to be used only in cars, “It’s to beat the stress and to help tone down aggressiveness while driving,” says Aneesh, adding, “Music soothes the senses, and people need that, especially while driving.”
Dr Ajay Panjwani, who runs the Ostara Mind Body Soul therapeutic centre, says, “Music can be used as an alternative form of therapy and it has no side effects. It works wonders on those patients who are looking to recuperate after a surgery,” he says, adding, “We treat many people who have ‘relationship problems’ with music therapy. We use different scales, depending on the chakras, and the problem. The music from the xylophone is played as a backdrop almost always. We also use the singing bowl, to give a sound massage.”
Musician Vishyashankar agrees, “Music can be used to tap into your sub-conscious voice, it’s meant to address a deeper requisite. And yes, it does offer a permanent cure for a few stress-related problems,” he says, adding, “Only those qualified can practice music therapy. Just being a trained musician does not help. One needs to be highly creative — to be able to tap emotions.”