While music is well organized for its entertainment value throughout the globe, it was the Indian genius who had discovered Raga Chikitsa, raga cure. A raga is a sequence of selected notes that lands ‘colour’ or emotion. Depending on its nature, a raga can induce or intensify joy or sorrow, anger or peacefulness.
Great legends too confirm. The remedial role of music; music healed a deadly wound of Ulysses. Again, Ibn Sina, the Arab writer had recorded the use of Music as a remedy for ailments, both physical and psychological. In the Orphic School, healing by music was a science.
Since it’s possible to gauge the impact of music on emotional and thereby on the mind, it can be used as a tool to control the psychological, physiological and even social activities of patients. Raga Chikitsa, an ancient text in in Sanskrit, deals with the therapeutic importance of melodies.
It is a well-known fact that expressive music activities like singing or playing instruments improve coping mechanisms and self-confidence. Musical exercises aid in organizing one’s thought processes and help in overcoming inhibitions and restrictions. The creative process of music takes over one’s mind and emotions and induces a feeling of oneness with the entire universe. It helps in overcoming a sense of inadequacy and frustration in life.
Soothing and organizational properties of music help the mentally handicapped. Limitless creative opportunities available in singing or playing instruments provide avenues for their self-expression.
For the terminally ill, music provides the greatest solace. Symptoms of anxiety and depression are overcome by the healing power of music. Beside a comforting environment, music is found to be of great help in pain management. A combination of touch therapy, imagery and music provides an environment for a peaceful passage. However, music as therapy is meant for all patient groups, from the terminally ill to the temporary sufferers; it suits everybody and has no side effects. Alzheimer patients, chronic pain sufferers, premature infants, all respond to the power of music.
Music, combined with movement, as in modern gym and aerobics sessions, improve physical capabilities. Music by itself or in combination with other media such as art, aroma and dance offers unlimited score for experience for the sensory-deprived, which is caused by coma, injury or degenerative diseases.
This article was first published in Dignity Dialogue dated 31 Sept 2002 – Page 31
Edited by Geeta Shreedar, Mar 4, 2021.