Healing effects of Music

‘Music’- The term sounds very musical, isn’t? Yes, music has a profound effect on one’s mind, body and soul. I remember reading an article on The Hindu which said that a six year old girl from Ambalapuzha who was admitted in an unconscious condition to the intensive care unit, after suffering severe brain injury, was in fact responding slowly to music therapy. Me being crazy about music, got excited on reading this article. I started searching for many articles on music therapy. I found many articles which reinforced the healing effect of music. Music is indeed found to cure many cancer patients apart from its benefits of abridging stress.

Research shows that listening to music supports fetal development in pregnant ladies. That is why a ceremony called 'Valaikappu' is held in the seventh or ninth month of pregnancy. This is a ritual in which the pregnant woman is presented with sets of glass bangles and the sound of these bangles is supposed to reach the womb. Also the mom-to-be is advised to wear anklets with lot of beads which produces sounds that are said to enhance the hearing ability of the baby.  New born babies are put to sleep by their mothers singing lullabies. Lullabies provide a joyful, soul-soothing way to calm the fussy baby and to help lull her to sleep (and to calm the mother at the same time). There is just no substitute for these moments of connection and it is one of the ways of nurturing love and affection to the little one.

Personally music has had an intense impact on me. I have always approached music as my companion from my childhood. The amount of joy, pleasure, happiness etc.. and etc.. music gives to me is boundless.  I would say that soothing music takes me to a meditative state. I used to sing the song ‘Thazham poove vaasam veesu…’ as a lullaby for my daughter ever since she was a small baby. Even today this song makes it very easy for me to comfort her when she is annoyed. I enjoy spending time with my daughter, teaching her music. I feel elated when she sings the songs sung by legends like MSS. She enjoys singing very much and she likes to sing many songs on lord Krishna. Her singing just lessens the burden in the minds of my family members. Music in reality has healed many people at our home. 

I would like to quote a cine song written by kavignar Valli, “Kaatril varum Geethame, en Kannanai arivayoo…”. It’s a beautiful song composed by Maestro Illayaraja, which talks about music. I like the following lines in this song,
“Varundhum uyirkku oru marundhaagum,
 Isai, arundhum mugam malarum arumbaagum!
Isain payanee Iraivan thaanee…”

Music has a therapeutic effect and it is a way of attaining God.

Miles to go…………..