Can Indian Music Therapy Traditions be Globalised?

By Sundar Sumathy, M. Music, M. Applied Psychology, Music Therapist, is presently pursuing a PhD in Clinical Music Therapy at University of Madras, India. Email: sumusundhar@yahoo.com

At the outset, I want to thank Mariya Ivannikova for her response to our column Music Therapy Traditions in India(Country of the month, Voices - March 2005) I agree with her fully that in spite of diverse music therapy cultures across the globe, there is a great interest amidst this community to come together, work together and understand the complex issues related to this field. It is also heartening to know that through Voices, new resonant and rhythmic voices are continuously heard from different parts of the world, eager to communicate their own music therapy culture and also be receptive to the ideas of other colleagues.

As mentioned in the above cited article of ours, music therapy is just an emerging discipline in India, but with a very strong cultural, traditional and literary context that provides a concrete base for Music Therapy practice and research with its unique system of music in the world. Recently, music therapy practice and research have picked up momentum with a growing body of literature to vouch for the therapeutic potentials of Indian Music, with systematic studies undertaken in different clinical areas and also a few groups working with Indian traditional healing systems like Vedic Music.

The unique perspective of the traditions of Indian Raga System of Music - How can it be globalised? Here, I want to make a reference to Barbara L Wheeler's words

If we are to understand the world of music therapy, it seems to me that we must make efforts to hear all the voices.

An Indian voice would be

The healing potentials of Indian music traditions must be explored in the international forefront by scholars and practitioners in multi cultural settings with an open mind to expand new areas of practice globally. More and more of studies are to be undertaken with traditional healing systems like Vedic music and nada yoga, which are prophylactic systems, also aiming to reduce disturbance and return an individual to his or her inherent peace and power. Integrating these systems with Ragas, would open new vistas in integrating countries and culture.

How can this be possible?

I was greatly fascinated by columns on Context and Culture by Brynjulf Stige and also particularly the one 'The Jambo' means 'Hello' in African Syndrome' which were very thought provoking. To quote him,

I believe that in the years to come, sensitivity to context and culture to increasing degree will be considered a crucial element of a music therapist's professional qualifications...

These words prompt me to say , why not we try to integrate culture globally through music?

Is Music really universal? Can the melody, rhythm and the sounds of the words of the repertoire based Indian Music be enjoyed by every one and be used to music therapy practice globally?

In this context, I take this opportunity to extend a very cordial and an open invitation to all the music therapists across the globe to come in huge numbers to participate in the First International Conference to be convened by Nada Centre for Music Therapy at Chennai, India on 15 01 2006 for exchange of ideas, sharing the knowledge and expertise and to get enlightened on the therapeutic usefulness of Indian Traditional music.

References

Ivannikova, Mariya (2005). Globalisation of Music Therapy. [Contribution to Moderated Discussions] Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy. Retrieved from http://www.voices.no/discussions/discm39_01.html

Stige, Brynjulf (2002) The 'Jambo' means 'Hello' in Africa The 'Jambo' means 'Hello' in Africa Syndrome [online] Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy. Retrieved on May 20, 2005 from http://www.voices.no/columnist/colstige230902.html

Sumathy, Sundar & Sairam, T. V. (2005). Music Therapy Traditions in India. Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy. Retrieved from http://www.voices.no/country/monthindia_march2005.html

Wheeler, Barbara (2004): How do we hear all of the voices? [online] Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy. Retrieved on May 18, 2005 from http://www.voices.no/columnist/colwheeler100504.html