When National-Award winning duo, Ajay-Atul decided to add fantasy to Parshya and Archi's humble love story in Sairat, pitting traditional vocals against the sophisticated strains of Western orchestral instruments, it was hardly a misinformed decision. Such is the power of music, transcending borders, cultures and creed.Musicians, who've found greater calling in teaching and using music's unimaginable power to make a difference, believe there's need for more of it in our everyday lives.
MUSIC IN SCHOOL CURRICULA
The piano's glissando always struck a chord with Sonam Lodhi. Having begun her tryst with music at the age of nine, there came a point when she had to choose between a career in IT and music. She ended up choosing the latter. “The switch wasn't easy , but my parents and friends were supportive,“ says Sonam, who teaches the piano, introducing little enthusiasts to the joys of Western classical music.“One's scope as a performer is limited, so teaching seemed the next best sustainable and satisfying option,“ she adds. Teaching children was challenging for her. “It was difficult teaching five-year-olds rhythm when they didn't know counting to begin with. But music taught me to be a lot more patient. I now enjoy those light-bulb moments my students experience from time to time,“ Sonam quips.
Singing and piano teacher, Snehaerica Fonseca, adds, “Today , children are burdened with so many activities post their school and getting them to practice is difficult. It's unfortunate that music is often sidelined in our curricula when the form actually has the capacity to help students improve their concentration levels.“
Jennifer Michael, who's been practising and teaching music for over 25 years, believes that if music was introduced as a full-fledged subject in all schools, it would be taken more seriously . “Besides boosting confidence and bringing out talent, music is a good way for children to unwind. However, large class strengths, lack of interest and often no proper place and instruments to conduct classes, continue to be chal lenges. If part of curricula, we'll be able to challenge ourselves to develop an interest for music in students,“ she says.
MUSIC TO HEAL
Whenever Janhavi Joshi and Nupura Kirloskar, graduates from MIT Institute of Design, attended childrens' dance performances at Indian Red Cross Society School for Deaf Camp, they realised these chil dren had to rely on visual cues from their teacher to dance. “The children had no connection with music. Nupura, a clas sical singer and I, a Kathak dancer, understood their requirement,“ says Janhavi.
Initiated as a college proj ect, the duo formulated a device that converts music into vibrations, helping hearing impaired dance with out dependence. “We tested a basic proto type and the fact that the children did not have to now rely on visual signs, made them happy ,“ says Nupura, adding that the highlight was when Prerana Sahane, renowned hearing-impaired Bharatnatyam dancer, used the device during a performance. Music therapist Arthur Fernandes, who facilitates drum circles, says, “There're beats governing these sessions. When strangers play together, there's instant ice breaking.Such forms of therapy can help introverts open up. At the end of the session, people have found it easy to approach each other.“
He adds that rhythm has the potential to relieve stress, boost self-esteem and treat ailments like Alzheimer's and dementia. Clinical music therapist, Vanessa Pinto, adds, “In my practice, I have been able to help people with various needs; a child suffering from microcephalyy took to instruments to express himself and a 73-yearold man, whose normal function was deterred by childhood meningitis healed through classical music reminiscing.Metros are warming up to the concept to music therapy , but there's more need to be open to it as it can have more effective than meditation and other therapy .“
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Since time immemorial, music has been a tool for change. For the 40-odd years that they have staged plays, music has been a key part of the youth group, Searching and Service in Unity's narratives.“People retain for longer time messages through music.Michael Jackson's We are the World is a perfect example, as it is considered a symbol of unity. The time one would spend writing or explaining the discourse, music can magically convey through emotions, style and lyrics,“ says Sidney Alberts, who's penned a number of songs for the group's plays.Evelyn Williams, founder and conductor of the Viva la Musica choir, recalls the joy music brought to the residents of an old age home they performed at. “There came a point when the residents joined in too. Music has the power to uplift one's spirits and take the mind off worries. There are certain songs that call to mind associations with good memories of the past, helping one feel uplifted. We surely need more of it in our communities, events and lives,“ she says as she looks forward to more such outreaches with her choir in the future.
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