Dr. Amrutha B. Ballal from Udupi presented a paper titled Sangita Chikitsa: A Novel Approach of Ayurveda for Swastha Palana (Maintenance of Health) and Vikara Prashamana (Curing Ailments). She has completed her BAMS degree from the Muniyal Institute of Ayurvedic Medical Science, Manipal, Karnataka. She is currently pursuing her PG in the Department of Ayurveda Samhita and Siddhanta, Government Ayurveda College, Mysore. Her PG dissertation topic is Literary and Applied Research on Swara and Kanthya Mahakashaya.
Indica Changemakers spoke to her after the recently concluded Oriental Conference in Udupi. She says music therapy is a new concept that was introduced to her by her guru, Dr. Shreevathsa, her PG guide, two years ago. Her dissertation is about the study of Swara and assessing the effectiveness of a particular drug in improving the voice. She says, “By this time, my interest towards the concept of Swara, Nada, Sangita Chikitsa grew. I basically have minimal knowledge of Sangita, but through continuous study-work in the same field and after noticing the science behind this concept of Nada or Sangita, my interest grew towards this.”
Could you please describe the paper you presented in Udupi? What were the salient points?
My paper in Udupi was about the role of Sangita Chikitsa in Ayurveda, for the purpose of Chikitsa and Swasthya Palana (maintaining health). It was a review paper, and an observation on the effect of music in these two modalities of treatment was seen. There are some direct references to music as chikitsa noted in classical Ayurvedic texts, which can act like a catalyst in Ayurvedic treatment.
What is the scope of Music Therapy in India?
Music Therapy in India has good scope. In a few places or among a few practitioners, this is practiced, but it is not widely known or practiced by everyone. It can be used as an adjunct therapy for many chronic ailments. It provides synergistic effects to the main therapy.
Do you find similar effects with Western music as with Indian classical music? Are the methods used in Western music therapy different?
As far as I’ve observed, Western music doesn’t have the medicinal effects that Indian music has. The beautiful alignment of Raga, Tala, Shruti, and Gamaka in Indian music makes it provide this effect.
How are the sounds of different ragas affected by the day-night cycle? Do other natural phenomena also affect them, like moon phases, rain, humidity, etc.?
Ragas are not affected by the day-night cycle. There is a synchronous variation happening in the environment, and the same synchronous variation happens in the body, which is a necessary adaptation of the body (Loka-Purusha Samya Siddhanta). Each Raga has its own quality; when played at a particular time, it will show its highest effect on the body components. This diurnal effectiveness of Raga can be used to target particular bodily components to get the maximum benefit.
If a person already has certain memories, either positive or negative, associated with a raga, will that change how it affects them?
Sangita has two components: one is the Nada, which affects the body through the science of vibration and stimulates particular vital points or the chakra sthana; this has minimal effect on emotion. The other component is the Raga, which is related to the emotion of an individual.
Aside from Indian classical music, how do other forms of Indian music, such as folk music, tribal music, film music, etc., work in music therapy?
As said before, the beautiful alignment of Raga, Tala, Shruti, and Gamaka in Indian classical music gives it a therapeutic effect. Other forms of music were created for the purpose of entertainment, which doesn’t have a therapeutic effect.
Have you had any personal experience where music has healed you?
As per my observation, listening to Vishnu Sahasranama, Shiv Tandav Stotra, and some other music keeps me charged/active the whole day.
