Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | Friday Review | Young World | Property Plus | Quest | Folio |

With strings attached

Soothing instrumental music is the new mantra to bliss and beating stress

PHOTO: MURALI KUMAR K.

THERAPEUTIC MUSIC Cashing in on the trend, music stores have entire sections devoted to instrumental music

Chirping of birds, water falling from the mountains, and the whistling wind — youngsters are now tuning in to the sounds of nature, religious chants and instrumental music to escape the stress of daily life. Be it a piano or a guitar, flute or a sitar, they sit down for a moment, close their eyes and enter a world of happiness.

A calming effect

"It is the best way to calm your nerves especially after a firing from your boss," says G. Bhaskar Rajan, a scientist with a premier institute. "My morning walk is incomplete without listening to the Suprabhatham. It gives a spiritual start to my day and boosts my self-confidence immensely. This way I stay physically and mentally fit."

A growing number of stressed out people are turning to music for solace. Fast numbers are okay for parties but their communion with the self is with a little help from the likes of A.R. Rahman, Ilaiyaraja, and Indian classical music, mostly instruments. "There is too much noise in film songs now. So, we switch over to natural sounds, classical instrumental and devotional music during lunch breaks, travelling and after work," says Bhaskar Rajan.

For L.N. Nandhini, a final year commerce student, it is the notes of Rajesh Vaidya's veena that leave her refreshed. "He plays his instrument and it soothes your mind in a big way," she says.

Cashing in on the trend, music stores have entire sections devoted to this genre. Sample this — music for meditation, healing sounds, health and wellness series, the relaxation series, music for peace and tranquillity, music for peace of mind, relaxation for massage, musical experience of aromatherapy for peace, Sanskrit shlokas with instrumental and vedic mantras — you will find them all.

"It has become a part of the commercial repertoire," says V. Paramesh who is with a music store. "Life today is stressful. So what they look for is an easy way to relax their mind. Listening to good quality instrumental music whether Carnatic, Hindustani or Western, at work is a great way to relieve stress."

Recognising this, software companies have come out with innovative plans. Cognizant, which earlier used to play light instrumental music in its development centres, has gone one step ahead and has gifted 30 GB video iPods to its 18,000 employees early this year. "This way, they can listen to personalised music during breaks and while travelling to and from office," says Bhaskar Das, Vice-President of the company's Human Resources Department. "Music plays an important role in the motivational dynamics of an individual. It also energises individuals and helps them stay refreshed all day."

C. Manjunathan, Manager, HR, Pradot Infosolutions, says listening to soothing music is equivalent to attending a yoga session. "Your mind becomes totally blank and you are able to concentrate better. We have a centralised music system and play Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan's violin CDs during breaks and after work."

Music works wonders, says Mythily Thirumalachari, Director of the Music Therapy Department in Apollo Hospitals. How? "Music is therapeutic and works at neuro and cognitive levels. When gradually introduced into your system it enhances clarity of thought. When a refined sound reaches the brain, it enhances the neurotransmitters. This in turn have an impact on the behavioural aspects of an individual."

Dr. Mythily (www.emusictherapy.com) has done extensive research on music therapy to enhance concentration and memory for school children, music for overcoming depression, fear and anxiety, stress and strain, for peace of mind and music for pregnant women, for heart diseases and diabetes. "The impact is complete with instrumental music. When you introduce words, language comes into the picture and the mind wanders," she concludes.

K. JESHI

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail