One must understand the reach and limitations of one’s vocal chords because unlike man-made musical instruments, the vocal chord is a difficult instrument to comprehend, said Carnatic musician Madurai T.N. Seshagopalan on Saturday.
Addressing a group of musicians, doctors, and voice specialists on Saturday, the renowned vocalist advised budding singers to focus on the skill of hearing. “To convey the right sound, you must first hear it in your mind. To execute the vocal arts efficiently, one must be blessed with excellent hearing,” he said. The singer was speaking at the valedictory function of ‘Vocal arts and Science,’ a workshop for voice professionals and singers conducted by Madras ENT Research Foundation and Lamar University, U.S.
The event also marked the launch of mobile apps to assist people in hearing better. The Jacoti ListenApp and Classmate applications will help people with hearing aids and children hear better in noisy environments, said Ranjith Rajeswaran, principal, MERF Institute of Speech and Hearing. With 90 per cent of people with hearing problems in India having no access to hearing aids, mobile hearing apps have a great future, said Mohan Kameswaran, managing director and chief ENT surgeon, MERF.
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“This will give companies manufacturing hearing aids a run for their money and the price of hearing aids can come down too,” he added. Dr. Kameswaran said every year, as the music season approaches, sabhas and music academies should take the responsibility of promoting awareness about the importance of voice culture among artists.
The dignitaries also inaugurated a library at MERF in memory of Sadanand Singh, a philanthropist and founder of Plural Publishing, a company in the field of communication sciences, audiology and disorders.