MUMBAI: Long known as an alternative therapy and counted amongst the likes of aroma and magnet therapy, music therapy received a shot in the arm on Thursday, the 28th of October, when the first batch of graduates of the 6-month Music Therapy Programme of the MET Institute of Alternative Careers received their graduation certificates from Padma Vibhushan Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia.
Pt. Chaurasia spoke on the benefits of music therapy and narrated a few interesting anecdotes that would reaffirm one’s interest in the power of music “I am proud of the students and I wish them luck in their future endeavours,… he said, adding: This programme should spread to different parts of the country, and students should strive to share their knowledge with the world.”
Suresh Wadkar, renowned singer and musician, also graced the event.
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MET started the course after they were approached by sitar player, Shashank Katti who had put 13 years of research into designing the program. The music therapy course was delivered by Katti along with four doctors who believed in the healing powers of music He spoke of the role of music therapy in curing ailments like Asthma, migraine, arthritis, spondylitis, knee pain and hair fall.
The course not only aims to help the society at large, but also wishes to create a commercially viable model for students.
After graduating from this course, students can set up their own individual practices or join hospitals; they can work in tandem with doctors too. Moreover, one does not need a degree in medicine to start one’s own practice…. said Katti
Music therapy uses music to enhance and improve the mental and physical health of a person. It can be used on anyone irrespective of age, gender or medical condition.
Music therapists use particular ragas for particular illnesses. Pandit Katti believes that music therapy uses music to enhance and improve the mental and physical health of a person. It can be used on anyone irrespective of age, gender or medical condition Just like a doctor gives particular medicine for a particular illness, music therapy too works in a similar way.
Pandit Chaurasia said the inception of the course marked a new step in the development of music. While I may only know to play the flute these people not only know to sing but also give therapy through music,… he said.
Music therapy does not have any side effects,… said Smita Deorukhkar, graduate, music therapy Programme. When quizzed if one needs a background in music to enroll in to this course, she replied, The only thing that one needs is interest and devotion to pursue this course….
The 26 students graduates of the first batch of MET’s music therapy programme were from age groups ranging from 20 to 60 years.
