Creating music that heals

As a first, renowned musicians from the Indian classical world will come together today to produce therapeutic ragas that help children with autism

Sangitanjaly Foundation in collaboration with Telangana Tourism and Simply-give Foundation is organising its annual ‘One World Fusion 2015’ on December 18 at Ravindra Bharathi, in aid of children with autism. The event will feature Dr Mysore Manjunath on violin.

The group will be performing together for the first time and will be accompanied by Rajesh Raj Bhatt on djembe and pakhavaj; DSR Murthy on mridingam; Gopal Burman on sreekhol and Rohit Kulkarni on keyboard.

There are a few moments that enchant the world with sounds that appeal to the senses and enlighten the soul. Raga is a notable aspect in Indian classical music, and one must have heard about the Raga Malhar, which is associated with the atmosphere of torrential rains.

Tansen, a great Hindustani musician or you can say, music magician, is famously known for his ability light lamps with his voice. Another artiste Ustad Bismillah Khan, a legendary musician responsible for making the shehnaia a famous classical instrument.

Similarly, music can heal the soul or any disease. Its healing power over the body has attracted attention from scientists who aim to test this ancient wisdom. Pandit Tarun Bhattacharya on santoor; Pandit Ronu Majumdhar on flute and Dr Mysore Manjunath on violin, will perform together at the event, accompanied by other artistes. Even as they practiced for their upcoming performance, they shared some of their thoughts.

Renowned flutists Pandit Ronu Majumdhar says, “If music is ever to become widely used in pain relief, we need to know. The act of listening to music has been associated with a number of benefits, including mood, cognition, and physical functioning in healthy people and in clinical samples, such as those who have suffered from autism.”

Also in agreement, Pandit Tarun Battacharya, a santoor player says, “We are giving a new combination of music for the first time. It’s good that we all came together for this cause.”

Speaking of music’s ability to alleviate physical pain, Pandit Majumdhar further adds, “Studies have shown that music is an effective pain reliever, both on its own and as an adjuvant in connection with other types of therapy.”