That music therapy is catching on in India comes across from the fact that the August 2002 issue of Life Positive – India’s first body-mind-spirit magazine – has devoted two articles to this topic.
The first article by Arundhati Bhanot, titled The Sound of World Music, delves on the large number of international artists who have been drawn towards India, thanks to its rich history of melody. These foreign musicians collaborated with Indian musicians to create a fusion of soulful melodies meant to relax the body, mind and spirit.
It all began in the early 1970s when Osho opened his ashram in Pune. Amongst his numerous acolytes were renowned musicians like Deuter, whose musical accompaniment to Osho’s series on meditation became famous.
Deuter mixes acoustic and electronic instruments, ethnic influences and sounds from nature, which is just the right mix for those looking to meditate or relax. Deuter’s music is used extensively by medical and psychological practitioners in therapy.
Then followed musicians like John ‘Mahavishnu’ McLaughlin, a disciple of the US-based guru Sri Chinmoy, who created a style that was ethereal as well as universal, inspiring a series of richly spiritual fusion albums. Another notable name in world music is James Asher, who utilizes hypnotic and enchanting rhythms from tribal and folk music.
In an article titled Rhythm Divine That Heals, Nishtha Shukla writes about Delhi-based consultant physician cardiologist Dr Neelam Verma’s success with her holistic Cosmic I foaling Centre.
“Music therapy is a symphony of color, time, music, the heart and the chakras within – living on a higher plane which uplifts the mood and emotions,” says Dr Neelam Verma. In August 2002, Dr Verma launched her collection of five cassettes titled Healing Rhythms of Devotion, under the Cosmic Rhythms label. The five cassettes are titled Haridhun Samkeertan, Rhythm of Peace, Divine Dawn, Harmonized Pranayam and Healing Touch.
The cardiologist believes that “appropriate music can help in one’s healing process and is like a flow of healing energy within”. Dr Neelam believes that for people who are tired and stressed out, the right music and shlokas can help: “They work on a subtle energy plane to insulate you from your surroundings.”
She firmly believes that sound plays an important role in people’s lives and has a tremendous impact on the psyche. In this connection, she says our Scriptures teach a lot about’ the positive influence of music and dance on healing. “It is well-established that a certain kind of music, played at a particular time of the day, can be relaxing,” she opines. Apart from musical notes, the expression and intonation of words is also important.
However, Dr Neelam stresses that she uses music not as an alternative to medical treatment, but as a complementary therapy. The music she has compiled using improvised ragas is meant to work as a support system to help a person recuperate from immense stress and tension.
It can be used for terminal patients, aftercare, for rehabilitating children with disabilities as well as those in semi-coma. Not to mention the average person who may be seemingly healthy but ends up feeling down in the dumps.
With mainstream practitioners slowly recognizing the value of music in therapy, the position of music therapy should gradually see an upswing in India in the years to come.