Ethnomusicology is a subject documenting and researching musical knowledge and training in ancient communities. It recognizes the important role played by music not only in binding such communities, but also making them vibrant as music is known to provide strength to cope up with unfavourable situations encountered in one’s life.
In India, bhagats and shamans have been engaged in creating sound sensations in the rituals connected to healing. Such sounds were created by vocalization of a number of people supported by folkloric instruments which are simple and plain like drums of various sizes and shapes including huge bheris or tiny damrus, and other pipe and string instruments, cymbals and what not.
Charles Darwin happened to examine how music could evolve along with human civilization. Music which originally started as the imitation of cries and songs of the birds and animals accompanied with nature’s sounds such as waterfall, rain and thunder, sounds of wind, streams, forest fire and so on connected the sound with the human feelings. Thus, joy or sorrow, anger or love could be depicted by adhering to certain sets of sounds. High-pitched sounds depicted nervousness and fear as much as the low-pitched ones conveyed confidence and stability.
There was also an enjoyment factor in music which was the real reason for its therapeutic role. For instance emotional disorders arising from tensions could be addressed with appropriate ‘pacifying’ tones and sound structures which acted in containing the fire in anger and frustrations. It is interesting to note that most of the primitive or primordial instruments (e.g. conch shell, damru, ek tara, Tibetan singing bowl, etc.) when sounded alone can produce the real ‘tonic’ effect with their subdued sounds and hovering harmonics which tend to. bind the mind, thereby containing the flow of frustrations. Tibetan monks use the singing bowl with its significant harmonics which are overtones.
In the process of music development, it is clear that the primitive music all over the world had relied upon the melodies and only when the human mind was brought in with sophisticated musical instruments such as piano, the musical scale of just intonation changed its form into the scale of equal- temperament, bringing in an altogether new experience of sounds.
‘Backgroundization’ Of Music
The primitive societies have used music to the maximum extent. All human and social activities· have employed rhythms and music, as part of living. Agricultural and hunting-activities such as sowing, ploughing, hunting, replanting, community dining, etc. has all been done with music in the lips and throats if not in drums and strings. Simple household works such as pounding the grain, making the baby sleep etc. also trace their roots to primitive societies.
In primitive societies, music is employed not only for celebrations, but also in moaning. In many parts of South India, especially in Tamil Nadu oppari is a form of music which is sung during funeral days. While adding sorrow to the occasion, it helps in overcoming the personal loss and curing the wounded mind. Thus, qualities such as anger, pain, aggression, fear, etc. felt in music no doubt, touches the heart of the listeners, but at the same time ensures that no wound is caused. Rather it helps in healing the deeply hurt heart by infusing confidence and courage.
For the primitive person fearing nature and the modern man fearing his own species, music alone could work wonders. It is essential that music culture of the primitive societies get re-introduced in all modern day activities too: e.g., computer work, in workshops and offices so as to make the activities more meaningful. No doubt mixing music in the workplace has been found to enhance fellow-feelings and camaraderie, by lessening tension and anxiety.
As music is not something, but it-is ‘about something’, the ‘aboutness’’ in music has made it such a flexible ingredient to be used anywhere and everywhere to add colour and charm, besides pep and vigour. With its unconditional love and support and free-flowing expressions of ‘about-ness’, music as ever promises an outlet especially when one feels down and out and greatly suffocated with life.
This Article published in My Doctor – April 2007 Pages 15 to 17
Edited by Geeta Shreedar, July 8, 2021