Music: Not Just An Art Form But A Therapy For Life

PARISMITA GOSWAMI

We encounter different people at different stages of life. Sometimes, even a playlist might help you bond with another person while on long drives, during work hours, while chilling together and many other circumstances as such.

And today, Spotify has made it even easier for music lovers to share their playlists. Gone are the days of walkman, CDs, and when songs were written down in diaries.

Talking about music, the other day, while waiting in the metro station, I overheard a little girl gripe at her mother. The mother was escorting her daughter to her music lesson. She was saying that she would rather play with her friends than attend music classes.

Although it was quite momentous to see the mother and daughter. But, it also reminded me of my younger days. And, how I tried to do the similar, make excuses to skip my music class.

“According to tradition, Tansen ignited lamps with Raga Deepak and poured down the rains with Raga Megh Malhar. He could even attract wild animals’ attention and get them to communicate with him. He calmed a wild elephant once after singing to him, allowing the emperor to mount him.”

THOSE DAYS

Music: Not Just An Art Form But A Therapy For Life

As a kid, I grew up listening to my parent’s Sunday afternoon cassette tapes. A few legends include Bhupen Hazarika, Jayanta Hazarika, Jagjit Singh, Dipali Borthalur, and many more. Music never left our home. I still long for the sight of my grandfather playing Khol and my Grandmother practicing Borgeet.

The chants of our evening prayers still echo in my heart. Now that you are away from home, you tender your soul with those beautiful memories, now and then.

Back then, I was also training to become a classical singer. But sometimes, progression overshadows passion. I was curious about art, culture, poetry, music and moreover, learning the stories of Hindustani classical music legends like Tan Sen/Ramtanu Pandey truly fascinated me.

According to tradition, Tansen ignited lamps with Raga Deepak and poured down the rains with Raga Megh Malhar. He could even attract wild animals’ attention and get them to communicate with him. He calmed a wild elephant once after singing to him, allowing the emperor to mount him.

Now, as an adult, I can understand the value of all forms of art, history, and tradition more than ever. It’s greater impact on one’s mind, body, and soul. In addition to healing, it is also a means of conveying messages.

For in India, movies are incomplete without songs. However, finding a pure, original composition requires a lot of effort.

The Benefits That You Can Count

The therapeutic benefits of music cannot be left unsaid. Doctors, and practitioners are referring to music therapy for many diseases more than ever now.

The way that music influences our brains is a highly complicated phenomenon. An ancient, multi-beneficial traditional art style that dates back thousands of years is still spilling magic. With its abilities or fortifying connection to oneself! Your awareness of instruments, lyrics, genre, or tune begins to define you.

For kids,

It provides an enjoyable means of expressing ideas and emotions.
Enhances communication and social interaction abilities
Stimulates imaginative play
Increases focus and synchronization
Raises awareness of oneself and other individuals, especially during group music sessions
Increases resilience and self-worth
Improves artistic expression and listening abilities
Bolsters ties within families

As you get older, you’ll learn to play music to soothe your spirit. It provides you with solace. Music has a strong emotional and mood-altering effect.

It is, for many, meditation.

Regarding the health advantages, listening to music lowers stress hormones and anxiety markers like cortisol and adrenaline.

Actually, research suggests that music therapy may help with depressive symptoms. It might assist those who have physical health issues live better lives.

It may be beneficial for those going through: Alzheimer’s illness, Stress or anxiety, Autism, Cardiac ailments, Persistent ache, Depressive States Diabetic Problems with communication, both verbal and nonverbal. Also imbalance of emotions, Poor self-worth problems, Migraines impulsiveness, Bad attitude Issues. Also issues with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), etc

While sound therapy is rooted in traditional Tibetan practices, music therapy is a relatively new field of study. Whereas music therapy concentrates on treating symptoms like pain and stress, sound therapy uses instruments to produce particular sound frequencies.

Music: A Go-To-Go Life Therapy

Often, if you are sad, you plug in your earphones and play your favorite music. If not, go to your room and put on the speakers. Why? Because you can find solace in music. It is the easiest means to find your inner peace in chaos, a home within the tune and lyrics. Sometimes, sitting near the window with a cup of tea and your journal with some music can make your day alluring.

And, if you were introduced to good music, be it classical, rock, pop or anything in your childhood, you are lucky. Humans tend to learn things after or when it is too late.

But life is all about cherishing even those glimpses of life. Even if you are standing in a metro station of an unknown city, your heart beats for those bygone days of life you wish to relive again. Life itself is a tune that keeps playing its own rhythm.

So, let music dive you deep into the realms of art, tradition, and living.

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