Contemporary research has conclusive evidence that musical notes do have specific effects on the bodies of most living beings and human bodies are a veritable storehouse producing and resonating various rasas. It is imperative that any primary, supplementary or alternative discipline of therapeutic intervention must provide for calibrated delivery. South Indian Classical Music, referred to as Carnatic Music with its extremely precise and arithmetical structure of Ragas (Scales), Swaras (Notes) and Beats largely facilitates this.
In treating stress related disorders in individual young persons, older women in the menopause stage and challenged children, Swaras (Notes) and Ragas (Scales) have been selected, calibrated and the musical dosage delivered to evoke a perceivable response. The changes observed over a twenty month period are very encouraging, and the behavioral and response characteristics in the recipient adults and children noticeably positive. Active participation and association with and being monitored by both medical and voluntary parent groups characterize their work.
Music Therapy – a brief introduction into its employment and methods….
Music notes are substantially therapeutic. An individual or group can consciously exercise a choice of playing or listening to a selected Swara, Raga or composition and interpret their own physical and emotional response to the same. This generalization does not hold true when musical notes are employed as a therapeutic intervention.
Music Therapy is client specific. Music therapy is prescribed by members of the client's treatment team. Members can include doctors, psychologists, teachers, case workers, or parents. Musical interventions are developed and used by the therapist based on his / her knowledge of the music's affect on behavior, the client's strengths and weaknesses, and the therapeutic goals.
A detailed preliminary evaluation of each client is imperative. Based on the analysis of the data provided , interaction with individual client and the degree and capabilities of the support system(s) available, music therapy sessions are carefully structured. It must be emphasized that no time frame can be prescribed to perceive positive results. Regular, systematic and dedicated sessions will establish noticeable changes in approximately a ten to twelve week period
Sessions are carefully planned, executed and evaluated based on the specific needs of each client. Evaluation of progress in the designated goal areas is completed on a regular basis.
About Me
- Rajam Shanker
- I am a graduate in Carnatic Music from the Telugu University, Hyderabad and have completed post graduate programs, Sangeeta Visharada and Sangeeta Alankara with distinction from Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, the National Music University. I have continued a long association with this noted institution as teacher, moderator and music examiner for senior level assessments. I have been tutoring music students between the ages of 5 to 50 for over two decades. I am associated with Nada Centre for Research in Music Therapy, Chennai and Sandipani wing - dealing with autism -of Little Hearts Children's Hospital, Hyderabad.