Music is naada that generates specific vibrations that move through the medium of the atmosphere and affect the human body. Music can be defined as universal energy assuming the form of ragas, says Raja Bhau Sontakke.
The articulation, pitch, ragas, swaras and their arrangement stimulate and cure certain ailments of the body. When a certain kind of music, preferably classical or soft music, is listened to, the human body reacts to it and repeated listening of that music results in producing a network of sound vibrations that treats a particular ailment. Many say that music by itself is therapy, like dancing, painting and Yoga.
According to Dr Devi, “Music as therapy can work miracles in patients who are mentally challenged. Well, each case has to be dealt with separately and there is no prescribed use of such therapies. We have to conduct research personally and know the patient and then use the music that is conducive to the particular patient.”
She cites the case of Rajashekar, a patient with Specific Learning Disorder, who couldn’t read or write. “But he learnt music just by listening since that was the only thing he could do, and he eventually learnt classical music.”