Music Therapy

coolkarni · Post by **coolkarni** » 08 Feb 2006, 10:58

Split from SK Ramachandra Rao obituary thread

DRS CMl JRC Darshan and others.

Can I take this opportunity to enquire a bit more deeply into the subject of Music and its relationship to the Human Mind.With two psychiatrists and one MD around , could we explore a bit into this field.
Specifically into links and websites where more information can be had on these subjects and your own personal take on this subject .
Combined with your prowess on our ancient languages , Places of worship, Composers,Methods of worship etc, Is this a subject that can be explored here in a way that we laymen can understand.
I am not looking for proof for curing hypertension or migraine through music , but have a bigger personal axe to grind.
As the parent of a Child diagnosed as one with cerebral palsy and in a society which has not equipped itself to handle such cases with the most minimal sense of honour or even expertise, We had been left -literally - in the care of the Gods.
12 years down the line We have seen a miracle right in front of our own eyes , he has reached a stage where he can go to school independently) but the paths we have traversed have mostly wound their way through temples , saints , saintly friends , and all things musical.And avoided heartless employers.
With matters related to Worship , We do not want to be sure what helped and what did not.
But with matters related to music , It has been our deep conviction that there is a great secret in the working of the mind , when it comes to music .I had earlier mentioned somewhere my expereience of seeing a 16 year old mentally retarded girl (they had come to consult my wife - a special educator) quitening down on listening to the music track I was playing at the same time in a different room.
The exapserated father of that girl who was irritable and had been thrashing around for over 2 days , charged into my room exclaiming "for Gods sake keep playing it.She has been quiet for the fisrt time in two days.We nned a rest so badly..."
And i was not playing a lullaby but a very serious Bhibas by Lalmani Misra.I stood fascinated as i watched the girl rolling her eyes and trying to listen to that bit very seriously.

The comforted parents have been receiving sumptous gifts of cds from me since then and they are such a grateful lot.

My wife herself has been using music in her work , though not backed with any formal learning .
This brings me back to my question .Is this an area where progress can be achieved (by my wife -who is a good singer and trained in music in senior grade in karanataka) more formally.
Are there any new insights that could be brought forth here .
Sorry for bringing up a personal question , but I could not resist the temptaion of reaching out to a wider audience , for details.

new_cmfan · Post by **new_cmfan** » 08 Feb 2006, 17:43

Dear Coolk ji - i am sorry to hear about your personal travails. I am glad to hear that things are getting better with your child. I sent a CD of Ganesh Kumaresh playing hamsanadam to a friend of mine with a 10 month old baby. He hadn't listened to much carnatic music - he wrote back to me saying that everytime he played the hamsanadam raga alapana - his daughter would drop what she was doing and start pouting and crying - not wailing like she just got hurt - but pouting and crying as though she was melancholic. I know it's not a huge miracle or anything - but it is amazing that music could have such an effect on a 10m old baby!

coolkarni · Post by **coolkarni** » 08 Feb 2006, 20:14

new_cmfan
Some more evidence.Apollo Hospitals at chennai started a Three year course on Music Therapy this year- A Project under the guidance of Balmuralikrishna.My Wife could not get an admission because she did not meet a basic requirement of a degree in Physics.
That apart she was introduced to one particular project , that was very very interesting.
A pregnant woman had been exposed to the vocal music of one particular Singer Volunteer from the 4th month of pregnancy.Exactly at the same time in the afternnon , every day.
After a few months , on the days the singing schedule was skipped deliberately , the baby in the womb would kick around a lot until the singer would start singing.
After the birth of the child , this particular singer was not introduced to the child for 8 full months.
And finally on a carefully decided day , the singer is introduced into a fairly large gathering of 8-10 people -all of them talking and chatting with the baby playing around.
As soon as this singer started Speaking (not singing) the child rushed to that particular lady and started imploring her to sing and was excited the moment she started singing.
Unbelievable , but these are being recorded and established.

Raja Chandra · Post by **Raja Chandra** » 08 Feb 2006, 23:29

Coolkarni,

My sister in law runs a Horse riding academy in bangalore where some one was treating cerebral palsy patients.

I also know that Sachidanada swamy of Dattapeetha at Mysore is passionate about treating patients using music but i am not sure whether he has treated any with diabilties.

But what you have stated is fascinating and lends credibilty to the story of Abhimanyu.

i will not agree about axe to grind part of it. You are sharing something which will inspire many to cope up with the quirks of fate with equanimity. Certainly this forum is an experience in life itself. God bless you and your family.

Mahesh · Post by **Mahesh** » 08 Feb 2006, 23:42

There was a concert by TVG last year in London. I invited a white family [Nan and Paul] I knew to attend, they baught their two sons. The young'un [Kieran] was about 8 or so months old. The kid was similing thro out the concert, did not make a noise. And the bizarre thing I witnessed which shocked all of those around, he started bouncing [on his mum's lap] to the Adi thalam rhythm. He was in full form when the thani was played for Nannu Palimpa. Not a beat missed, he was merrily boucing around or waving his arms arounds and having that childish smile on his face that only a child can do.

Nan and Paul said later, that this was the first time that Kieran has been quitet for over 2 hours. All of us had a great time. Music *does* have an impact IMHO.

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 08 Feb 2006, 23:42

This is very much in the grey area. Western medicine is too dogmatic and would not accept claims without a well-designed randomized double blind clinical trial. I have not come across one. The problem is in the choice of a control group! Even if the 'music effect' is same as a placebo effect it still cannot be discounted! Since music is culture bound the effect will vary across the countries and the culture spectrum. The Maharshi group advocates 'gaandharv chikitsa' (no! not just Kumar Gandharva

along with traditional ayurvedic approach and claim very good results!

I would love to hear personal experiences and anecdotes here (need not be scientifically authenticated) as well as case histories!

Thanks coolkarni for starting a discussion on this topic!

Mahesh · Post by **Mahesh** » 08 Feb 2006, 23:47

I would love to hear personal experiences and anecdotes here (need not be scientifically authenticated) as well as case histories!

Thanks coolkarni for starting a discussion on this topic!

CML sir, I've just posted one above. I forgot one more thing, Nan was saying that her body energy started flowing and she could feel the energy and concentration level rising.

My uncle said this to me, so am not sure whether this is folk lore or true. Apparently once Patman Subramania Iyer sang a Begada pallavi with a very elaborate thanam. When he was home at night and was having a rest, his sishya noticed that his breathing [by the movements of his belly] was in sync with the thanam rhythm that he sang earlier that day.

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 09 Feb 2006, 01:44

mahesh

An important point is the equal role of rhythm (not just melody alone) in the calming effect. in fact rhythm is universal while melody is not! How many times we have seen rumbunctious children being lulled into sleep by the rhythm of the locomotive! The shock thereapy adminstered to heart in fibrillation as also the electro-convulsive therapy adminstered to uncontrollable maniacs are essentially controlling the body rhythm! Even the problem of cerebral palsy cited by coolkarni is basically the brian's inability to control the rhythm of the body functions. In fact physiotherapists are encouraging 'dance therapy' which is essentially rhythm therapy. We need lot of reasearch and insight into those areas!

rshankar · Post by **rshankar** » 09 Feb 2006, 04:57

Kulkarni sa'ab,
Music and children: there have been several studies (especially from German Groups) that have documented very similar things regarding prenatal exposure of children to music. There are nurseries in the US that have used piped recordings of a mother's heart beat to babies in the neonatal intensive care unit and documented better weight gain. And yes: it gives validity to the Abhimanyu story. Somewhere in Tiruvanmiyur is a organization that deals with alternative medicine (I think it is part of the Ramachandra College): they may have studies/courses on music therapy.
RC:
Horse riding is a fantastic and proven therapy for some children with CP: it gives them valuable lessons in balance, muscle training etc....
CML:
I advocate 'dance therapy' for children and adolescents with obesity and or type 2 diabetes that I treat! But not for the reason you are talking about! I have found that acceptance of this form of therapy is better in the African Americans than in whites.
Ravi

coolkarni · Post by **coolkarni** » 09 Feb 2006, 08:48

JRC
Can you let me know further details on the horse riding institute.
I would like use the Summer Holidays for this purpose alone.Gait and balance is currently the major issue.
(see , my post has already started yielding me results !!1)

Raja Chandra · Post by **Raja Chandra** » 09 Feb 2006, 22:34

Cool,

JRC ?? !!! A new appellation for me ?

Never mind. My sister in law is not in town. As soon as she is back , i will mail the details.

Goog luck

Raja Chandra · Post by **Raja Chandra** » 09 Feb 2006, 23:28

Cool,

Read the article:

http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanheral ... 5/spt4.asp

Obviously the Ms.Pushpa Bopiah is not teaching at my sister in law's place, but i will try and get the details.

drshrikaanth · Post by **drshrikaanth** » 10 Feb 2006, 05:26

Coolkarni
God be with you and your child. In such matters one often has to take recourse to philosophy and spirituality to come to terms with the illness in onself or ones loved ones, and also as a form of therapy. I guess you know quite a lot about CP, but let me sum it up thus.

Cerebral palsy is classified as various types and also a mixed type. There is often overlap of
manifestations of various types. Cerebral palsy has multifarious effects on the life of people who suffer from it, and their carers. It can cause problems with balance and gait due to spasticity (tight and inflexible muscles) or poor control of muscles, breathing problems (again due to poor muscular control), communication problems, problems with cognition & general execution, and chronic pain and fits. This can lead to poor performance at school, difficult relationships with peers and poor self-esteem and confidence. These are oftne interlinked and feed each other. Treatment can be medical(this includes medication, surgery), psychological(counselling and psycho-therapy), social interventions and supportive therapy which will include physiotherapy and rehabilitation.

Horse riding or hippotherapy falls in the last category. Horse riding is used effectively in
treating those suffering from Learning difficulties, CP and physical disabilities. It can be very
valuable in helping one gain control over balance and posture. It is not just that. The therapy
also means interacting with a live, responsive and intelligent and considerate being which in
itself is therapeutic and helps boost confidence and esteem. It also helps in lifting the mood.

drshrikaanth · Post by **drshrikaanth** » 10 Feb 2006, 06:07

Coming to music, and its possible application in treatin CP and its complications;- Music is the
product of a complex interaction of cognition, melody, rhyhtm(which reflects inner balance) and spirituality. Yet, the beauty of it is that the product is not in the least complicated for the
listener [Unless it is someone like me who has to understand everything

] And the best thing about music is that it will do no harm ( Iam here referring only to our classical music and some other forms that are calming. Not hard metal, rock or poor that rake up rajas and tamOguNas.
(I have no intentions of starting an argument here, but suffice to say that only soft and
soothing music is used in all therapeutic environments).

Music helps one gain an inner calm, a sense of mental balance and orientation. It can be very soothing. Exactly what kind of music, rAga or composition is beneficial is a matter of individual choice and may only be found by trial and error. It also helps to improve concentration and could help improve cognition and in turn, execution of various tasks. As CML has said, there are no Randomised-control-trials but at the end of the day, if it could be helpful and is known to cause no harm, it is well worth trying.

Without getting too technical, possibly, music could help by activating some areas of the brain
and increasing blood flow to these areas that may also be involved in perfroming other functions that are relevant to difficulties in CP.

What I would suggest(based on intuition) is that you could get your son to listen to AlApanes,
varNas in either 2 or 3 kAlas(As this depicts rhythma), apart from kRtis. Try rAgas such as
bhairavi and tODi which are reckoned to be helpful to the nervous sustem and the mind. You may have to experiment a bit to arrive at what best suits your son. Also do try RTPs. tAna and music as such has an innate laya or rhythm (not necessarily tALa).

Our music is said to reflect the waves and balance of the cosmos. I believe music can especially be a means of communication with oneself and the world and God in case of children and those with a learning difficulty. These two are blessed with an intuition that is perhaps granted them as a compensation for defective or deficient means of communication. Composing as well as singing involves a communion with ones inner spiritual self and Godhead (sangItaj~nAnamu bhaktivinA sanmARgamu galadE) and this does get communicated to those who are receptive.

I hope you gain some benefit from this. Good luck.

drshrikaanth · Post by **drshrikaanth** » 10 Feb 2006, 06:12

Another incident(anecdotal evidence in scientific parlance) which you will find encouraging;- My mother took great pains to teach this girl music. the girl was finding it hard to cope with lessons, particularly maths. The girl`s parents hoped that music would help improve her learning. It took months to even get her to sing "Sa Pa Sa" correctly. But these efforts did pay and the girl`s parents are ever expressing gratitude as the girl started doing significantly better at studies as she progressed in her music lessons. She is still learning from my mother(It has been several years now).

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 10 Feb 2006, 06:34

coolkarni

While exploring horse riding other simpler approaches should not be overlooked. Especially the role of sports. In particular basket ball and bowling which improve muscle coordination while being enternaining. yet another is regular swimming and under water exercise with the expert guidance of a physiotherapist! Another is yoga therapy whose potentials have not yet been fully explored! Since these are non-invasive they can be tried with confidence though a physician folllow-up is a must!

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 10 Feb 2006, 06:47

While I am in total agreement with the recommendations of DRS I would add a reminder to the role of practising instrumental music in paralllel. Practice on tabla or mridangam will greatly improve rhythms and on violin or sitar (or vina) will be great for fine hand/muscle coordinations!

Folks please report/share any case histories on the use of Instrumental music in therapy!

drshrikaanth · Post by **drshrikaanth** » 10 Feb 2006, 06:55

You are right CML.
Swimming can be excellent as it involves less effort in performing the same movements due to buoyancy. Also learning vocal or instrumental music can be very useful. Achieving alignment with Sruti itself can be therapeutic. In case of Learning Difficulities, structuring the day and a balanced spread of activities also helps a ton.

rshankar · Post by **rshankar** » 10 Feb 2006, 07:10

There are studies that have linked early exposure to music with better math skills: I think the ability to recognize patterns is important in both disciplines. While it comes easily through music, it is tougher to master just through exposure to math, and that is why music promotes math skills in my opinion.
The National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine is a relatively new center at the National Institutes of Health (all Institutes begin their lives as Centers and then get institutionalized as they establish their bonafides and importance): the NCCAM is partnering with different entities to systematically study the effects of complimentary and alternative (read non-allopathic) modes of therapy on diseases as varied as cancer-chemotherapy induced vomiting, hypertension, and insulin resistance. I am sure we will see the benefits of TM, yoga and possibly even music established through well designed studies. Although, with respect to music, I personally have doubts about certain genres being therapeutic! I think there was a study that showed that plants exposed to classical music grew better than those exposed to silence or rock music.
Ravi

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 10 Feb 2006, 07:23

>>a study that showed that plants exposed to classical music grew better than those exposed to silence or rock music. <<

If you are referring to the research in the 50's at the Annamalai University, It has been shown to be a fake!

vasanthakokilam · Post by **vasanthakokilam** » 10 Feb 2006, 10:33

In this context I am reminded of the following. There is a book 'Genie'. It is about the compelling real life story of a young woman's emergence into the world after spending her first 13 years strapped to a chair, and her rescue. It is really a sad and upsetting account and the book deals with how Linguistic researchers failed Genie when they attempted to learn through her about language acquisition. But that is not the part of the story that is relevant here. ( a great book in its own right and will shed light on the turf level muddiness that exists in this kind of pseudo-scientific field like linguistics ).

The Linguist who was assigned to work with Genie used to spend a lot of time with her. Genie was very developmentally disabled with almost zero verbal skills, very minimal communication skills and in general apathetic to everything. One day, the linguist was at the Piano playing some classical music. Genie happened to be nearby and completely out of character, she voluntarily came near the Piano, stood by and listened to the music. After that, Genie would quite frequently insist that her guide play the piano. The research minded linguist tried playing different types of songs but the only thing that interested Genie was pure western classical music and not even the lighter variations.

sridevi · Post by **sridevi** » 10 Feb 2006, 20:28

Hello all,
This is my first post in this forum although i have been following the threads for a while.

My mother is a veena artiste with albeit limited range for vocal music. But a very good friend of ours who had two kids with complete cerebral palsy approached her to teach vocal music to her daughter. The daughter had speech disability and so they thought music would probably help. Since I was learning vocal music at that time, amma and me would be there for the vocal lessons. The amazing thing is that this kid had a great sense of shruthi and talam ( although she could not keep the talam herself). Her speech patterns improved a bit but more importantly she looked forward to the music class for the fulfillment it provided her.

rshankar.. you mentioned in some post that you studied in suratkal.. me too! will be interesting if we were at suratkal at the same time.

Sridevi

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 10 Feb 2006, 20:52

Thanks sridevi!

In all cases of such therapeutic approach it is essential to have the element of 'expectation'. It is very important that the teacher as well as the patient (including the relatives) firmly believe (as well as encourage) that the handicap can be overcome. In most cases the ability is innate and a severe mental block is preventing the manifestation. The effort should be directed at 'unblocking' through 'positive feedback'. 'Faith healing' also falls under the same category.

coolkarni · Post by **coolkarni** » 10 Feb 2006, 22:06

Hello everbody (just cannot single out one person for the way you have been coming out with your responses)
CML This faith element has fascinated us even.Two years ago , we started visiting the Siva Temple at Trisoolam (right across the road near the Meenambakkam airport).
One day , The Swamiji there had one good look at my son and told us "Take him to Sholinghur .He will climb all the steps.Do not be tentative.And do not worry"

We did make the trip , and unbelievably my son climbed all the steps without taking a rest .The Return trip (the more difficult one ) was also uneventful and he managed it without allowing us to touch him or hold him.
And for the next few days we had wooden legs while he never complained of pain.
That was the way The Swamijis words had worked with him and that has left us baffled.I am not exaggerating , But friends in my close circuit with vouch for the fact that the shape of his legs have improved subsequently and he has stopped falling down and hurting himself.In cases where he has to react suddenly, he now drops down on his knees with a technique that leaves the knees bruised but ensures that his head is not injured .
Ofcourse this happened at an age where he could understand such external impulses , but it is still bordering on the miraculuous.

srkris · Post by **srkris** » 11 Feb 2006, 15:14

Coolkarniji, each post of yours is very heart-rending to read.

kaumaaram · Post by **kaumaaram** » 11 Feb 2006, 17:30

Cool,

I am touched by what you have stated.

Kaumaaram

kaapi · Post by **kaapi** » 11 Feb 2006, 19:55

Coolkarni,
I was deeply moved to read your above posts. As a layman I do not want to hazard any suggestion except that in some cases listening to the tambura say for half an hour may be beneficial as this has elements of both tonal and rhythmic outputs.

rshankar · Post by **rshankar** » 12 Feb 2006, 02:47

rshankar.. you mentioned in some post that you studied in suratkal.. me too! will be interesting if we were at suratkal at the same time.
Sridevi

My dad was a professor at the KREC in Surathkal between 1971 and 1974. That was when we lived in Surathkal, and I studied at the Kendriya Vidyalaya in Panambur. When were you there?
Ravi

jayachAmarAja · Post by **jayachAmarAja** » 12 Feb 2006, 14:14

Coolkarniji, I don't have much of substance to add, not being very knowledgable on the subject. If I may say something from personal experience, i think just listening to the shrii rudram, chamakam, laghunyaasam etc have a very very calming/meditative effect. The best place to listen to this is in the temples (for example, i used to regularly go to the ratnagirIshvarar temple in besant nagar) and another favorite place that is so serene is the marudIshvarar temple in Thiruvamnmiyur. However, since that might not be very practical (going to temples and having some recite at the time you are physically present), you can maybe get an audio recording. For example, i am sure we have a (very very authoritative) recording at home by HH svAmi paramArthAnandA, and I am sure it will be available commercially. I also recommend listening to MSS's suprabhAtams in the morning, and to M.S.Sheela's rendering of the lalitA sahasranAmam. However, these are all from a personal perspective, and your own impression of how helpful these are could be very different. Also, I agree that swimming is an excellent therapeutic exercise.

coolkarni · Post by **coolkarni** » 12 Feb 2006, 18:03

another strange bit of information was given to me by a friend who attended Sowmyas concert recently.She is quoted as having spoken about T Brinda .In recent days Brindamma (due to old age ) has forgotten names of everyone around her but her memory as far as Musical issues are concerned , they are all intact !

kiransurya · Post by **kiransurya** » 12 Feb 2006, 19:37

I have one incident to add. I know someone who was dumb(as in dumb). Her parents are my Gurus very close friends. This girl`s parents wanted her to listen to music as she cant sing it, if she liked it, then they wanted her to learn violin. So, she started listening to my guru teaching us music (I still remember, that day I was taught Palinchu Kaamakshi in Madhyamavathi) Three months on, She spoke her first word in her entire life (by that time she was 13) , it was Maa. Now this girl speaks like anyone of us however not as fast as we do.
That was an amazing thing that I witnessed. When I think back, that whole thing gives me heebie-jeebies..

kiransurya · Post by **kiransurya** » 12 Feb 2006, 19:41

Coolkarni !!!!
I thought Smt Brinda passed away. Forgive me, If I got wrong Info..

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 12 Feb 2006, 21:07

A sure way of correcting stammering is through learning to sing music. Stammering essentially (except those with organic problems) is psychological. Music somehow removes the mental block and is highly beneficial. Also the music information is stored differently from other memory associations. Have heard of alzheimers patients having musical memory even after losing regular memory! Also music as well as vedic mantra recitaiton (even Qorainc!) increase memory retaining power. Our ancient practice of training kids by age 7 has a lot to commend!

Raja Chandra · Post by **Raja Chandra** » 14 Feb 2006, 10:45

Please read this article on Prof.SKR

TRIBUTE:
High priest of Indian sciences

http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanheral ... 006213.asp

coolkarni · Post by **coolkarni** » 14 Feb 2006, 13:35

kiransurya,
then it must have been about an incident when she was alive (obviously).
thanks for making the record straight .

knrh05 · Post by **knrh05** » 14 Feb 2006, 22:57

Sowmya was probably referring to Smt. Mukta. She's been learning from her.

cmlover · Post by **cmlover** » 14 Feb 2006, 23:17

Thanks RC

Sahana-priyan · Post by **Sahana-priyan** » 21 Feb 2006, 10:33

Coolkarni Ji,
I just read some of the postings in this forum. I quickly collected some websites talking about the effect of music on mental disorders. Years ago, I had the great opportunity to design a simple device for a teenage girl suffering from Cerebral Palsy. I still consider that project to be my best learning and personal experience. I plan to work with children with special needs in the near future. I am sure that God will be with you and your family. I will try to contact you when i come to India next time.

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2005/0 ... 160200.htm

http://www.hindu.com/2004/06/12/stories ... 420800.htm

http://www.jeena.org/index.html

coolkarni · Post by **coolkarni** » 21 Feb 2006, 13:38

sahana priyan
thank you so much.
we are making a lot of progress on this front, thanks to all the inputs here.
i will have something more to add shortly.
<<I plan to work with children with special needs in the near future.>>

God Bless You for your plans.

jeevarathna · Post by **jeevarathna** » 24 Feb 2006, 22:38

PROF. S.K. RAMACHANDRA RAO

A Jack of all trades and master of none is an old saying. One who tries his hand at everything is believed to be good for nothing.

But there are exceptions. In these days of specialisation as well as interdisciplinary approach, it is desirable that one should have a nodding acquaintance with many subjects and also be a master in the subject of specialisation.

There are even some persons who try to dabble in every subject under the sun and acquire mastery in all of them. Such persons are very rare and one has only to marvel at their multi-dimensional interests and indefatigable zeal and energy devoted to acquire proficiency in all of them. Prof. S.K. Ramachandra Rao (1927-2006) was one whose motto in life was 'to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield'.

Early life

Saligrama is a small town in Krishnarajanagar taluk of Mysore district. Though his name bears the name of this town, he was born at Hana-soge, another place in the taluk. He had his early education at Bengalooru. Then he came down to Nanjangud where he continued his studies. He joined the Maharaja's College later and took his MA degree in Psychology. He was a student of Dr. M.V. Gopalaswamy, who founded the Akashvani at Mysore.

He was very much influenced by Rallapalli Ananthakrishna Sharma who was, as it were, the confluence of many subjects. A chance meeting of the Swamiji of Sringeri brought about a great transformation in Rama-chandra Rao's personality.

As he was a brilliant student of Psychology, he easily got a job as a research assistant at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore. Ultimately, he became a professor at the famous Mental Science Institute, Nimhans. He served the Institute for about 20 years and decided to come out of it.

But it was not an easy task. He was devoting his entire free time to study, research, contemplation and communication. 'Kasmai Devaya Havisha Vidhema?' (which God shall receive my offering?') He was interested in many branches of learning and made a thorough study of the Vedanta. He became a disciple of Ananthasuri from whom he learnt Jain Philosophy. He became a scholar in Pali, Prakrit and the Tibetan language. He studied Rigveda under Chandrasekhara Ghanapati, Mimasa under Venkatesha Somayaji and Advaita under Palghat Narayana Sastri. Among the Kannada writers, Bendre, Masti and DVG fascinated him. His thirst for knowledge was insatiable. He was a true practitioner of the 3 cardinal commandments of the Upanishads ? Satyam Vada (Be truthful), Dharmamchara (observe your dharma, follow the path of righteousness) and Swadhyayat na pramdaha (Don't discontinue study and contemplation till the end)'.

Musicology

He also made a deep study of the theory of music ? musicology. He learnt painting and sculpture and his line drawings of human beings were breathing life. He longed to learn painting from the great maestro Venkatappa. The master shot a question at him: 'Are you prepared to devote your entire life to painting ?'

Ramachandra Rao was not prepared for it. Because his interest was not in one subject. His ambition was to acquire mastery in many branches of thought and creativity. He went home, installed Venkatappa's image in his heart and practised painting. And lo ! The art was blooming before his eyes ! His imagination and dexterity were commendable. He acquired master's in sculpture and, if he had so desired, he could open his own studio.

Veritable museum

His home was a veritable museum. If you entered his house you could find in it heaps of books at almost every corner and wherever space was available. The walls were decorated with the paintings done by him. There was a large collection of pieces of sculpture ? figures made in clay, wax, wood, stone, plaster of paris etc., of musicians, visionaries, prophets, sanyasis and scientists ? of all hues and climes.

Beaming smile

If you were fortunate enough to meet him, he would extend to you a warm welcome with a beaming smile on his face. He was not very tall; was fairly well-built, with a broad forehead, twinkling eyes expressing wonder and curiosity. If you and he had the time and inclination and also you were lucky, you could talk to him. He would begin slowly and in a low tone. Gradually it would acquire speed and, when tickled, a torrential flow of thoughts would follow. By the end you would have become far wiser and more learned than you were before.

An orator without being rhetoric, he was a great communicator and possessed the body-language. It looked as though his multifaceted personality was emitting mellow light, and soon he would become the cynosure of all eyes. He attempted to synthesis ancient thought and modern scientific outlook.

Prolific writer

Besides participating in seminars and conferences, he was a prolific writer. He has written more than 150 books in English and Kannada. Besides scholarly productions, he has written quite a number of books on several subjects for the common reader. His book on Karnatak music and the great composers are acclaimed by critics. 'Arts of Karnataka,' another book written in Kannada, was also well-received. He has produced a four-volume work on the great saint Purandara Dasa. He has reproduced all the compositions of the Haridasa and given detailed commentaries on them.

Agama Kosa is another scholarly work, produced in four volumes, Pratima Kosa is in five volumes. Thirupati thimmappa and The hill-shrine of Vengadam are the results of a thorough study and research. He was a polyglot, knowing many languages like Sanskrit, Telugu, Tamil, English, Pali, Ardhamagadhi and Tibetan. His deep and abiding interest in music made him start an Academy on Karnatak music. His works are perhaps just a part of his vast and deep knowledge. The rest, alas, vanished with his end. His death was really a great loss.

? HSK

Raja Chandra · Post by **Raja Chandra** » 27 Mar 2006, 23:39

REMEMBERING PROF. S.K. RAMACHANDRA RAO

Scholars and prominent citizens of Mysore held a meeting recently under the auspices of Kavya Ranjani Sabha to remember the great scholar, author, multi-linguist, speaker, researcher, musicologist Prof. S.K. Ramachandra Rao, who passed away on Feb. 2 at Bangalore.

His two classmates, residents of the city Dr. V.S. Sampathkumaracharya and Prof. M.K. Rajagopal, the chief guests of the evening recalled their student days in the then intermediate and Maharaja's College, depicting S.K. Ramachandra Rao's spirit of enquiry and thirst for knowledge.

Even in those days his friends called him Pandit S.K.R. He was a favourite student of the great psychology Professor Dr. M.V. Gopalaswamy. After MA degree, he went to Bangalore and served as Professor of Clinical Psychology in the Nimhans, Professor of the US Pacific University and also as a Visiting Professor of Universities abroad.

Being closely associated with Kalpataru Research Academy, he brought out several encyclopedias in Nomography, Agamas, Srichakra, Ayurveda and multi volume translation of the Rigveda. His work Tirupati Timmappa is a very popular work.

His 'Sri Tatwanidhi of Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar' is a great work embellishing all his works with his own drawings and sketches. He guided several students in all the three systems of Vedanta. He wrote a book ? Purusha Saraswati, on his musical guru Palapalli Anantakrishna Sharma. Learning Alwar's Divya Prabhandham from Hemmige Desikacharya, he rendered some of the pasurams into Kannada poems.

He was a master of Sanskrit, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, English, European and Tibetan languages, Pali, Arohamagaohi like his guru Dr. S. Srikanta Sastri. He was a good veena player also. Honours and titles like the Rajyotsava, Sanskrit award, Vedarathna, Vidyalankara, Sastra Choodamani, Vidya Vachaspati, D. Litt. degrees of the Karnataka, Bangalore, Tirupati universities were conferred on him.

He was a rare gem who explored the ancient sciences of India. Prof. R.K. Srikanta Kumaraswamy, who presided, quoted from the Vedas and the Ramayana and paid glorious tribute to the great departed soul with the prayer that the fragrance of this flower inspire the younger generation and enrich our great country.

?K.R. Mohan @ star of mysore; 25-3-2006

Note: Professor Dr. M.V. Gopalaswamy was a pioneer and set up his own transmitting station at his residence in mysore and utterred that famous word AkAshavAni and the rest is history.

sudarshan · Post by **sudarshan** » 29 Mar 2006, 20:56

Raja Chandra sir, I thought Akashavani was coined by Prof. Na Kasturi.

Also, you mention Dr. S. Srikanta Sastri as the guru of Prof. SKR. Is this the same Srikanta Sastrigalu who was the administrator of the Sringeri Mutt?

Raja Chandra · Post by **Raja Chandra** » 30 Mar 2006, 01:07

Dear Sudarshan,

Sorry i missed your post. Please call me raja or RC but no sir.

Professor Dr. M.V. Gopalaswamy is correct.

The article was a reproduction from Star of Mysore news paper.

DR.S.Srikantha Sastri (1904-1974) was a great historian .His desire to go to the sources made Dr.Sastri learn a number of languages - German, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, French, and ancient languages like Pali, Greek, Latin, Egyptian, Assyrian, Hittite and sumarian. His desire to decipher the indus script made him study the Cuneiform and Hittite scripts. Of corse he knew Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada and Tamil very well. He was a professor at University of Mysore. He did not serve at the revered sharada peeta to the best of my knowledge.

Raja Chandra · Post by **Raja Chandra** » 16 Jul 2006, 23:37

Dear Sudrashan,

Here is a recent post on this issue:

Akashavani, Mysore : First broadcaster

Wireless communication assumed strategic importance when the World War II broke out and possession of a radio was subjected to Government vigil. Licence, valid for one year and to be renewed, was compulsory.

However, the first private radio broadcast happened in Mysore in the year 1932 at Vontikoppal.

Dr. M.V. Gopalaswamy, Professor of Psychology, who was residing in 'Vittala Vihar' on KRS Road near Cheluvamba Park, set up a small radio transmitter / receiver with its counterpart in the residence of Prof. A.N. Murthy Rao, Professor of English, on 2nd Main Road, right behind the residence of Prof. Gopalaswamy. Prof. Rao spoke a couple of sentences using the transmitter which Prof. Gopalaswamy heard clearly on his receiver. Thus Prof. Murthy Rao, who later became Station Director of Akashavani, Mysore, was the first broadcaster of India. He made that claim when Star of Mysore interviewed him a year or two before he passed away at the age of 103. The name 'Akashavani' was coined by Prof. Gopalaswamy.

-BRS

For complete article read :

http://starofmysore.com/main.asp?type=specialnews

Raja Chandra · Post by **Raja Chandra** » 24 Jul 2006, 23:42

Dear Chembai,

This particular thread is interspersed with other topics that the caption may belay. However I am left with no option but to continue with some relevant news .It may be good idea if you decide to cull out the relevant portion on Music Therapy to a different thread:

In todayÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚Â¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚Â¢s IBN-CNN the following story was telecast:

he healing powers of music
Vibha Sachdeva
CNN-IBN
Posted Monday , July 24, 2006 at 14:18
Updated Monday , July 24, 2006 at 15:21

New Delhi: 'If Music be the food of love, play on'. Well, Shakespeare probably didn't know that music can do much more.

For newborns at New Delhi's Fortis La Femme hospital, music really is the rhythm of life, because therapists are using music to pacify babies and stimulating their growth.

However, the music needs to be soft and soothing and therapists say that listening to harsh music like heavy metal or hard rock during pregnancy can affect the baby adversely.

Says Senior Gynaecologist Fortis La Femme, Dr Lovleena Nadir, "Harsh music and rock music is said to produce negative effects in the baby and can result in low birth weight babies or even pre- mature babies."

Music which plays at around 70 to 75 beats a minute, on the other hand, has a soothing effect on the body, because the human heart beats 72 times a minute.

Anything faster will stimulate the heart, while slower tunes will calm one down.

Cardiologist, Dr Neelam Verma says, "Music is basically the seven swaras as we know them. They are metaphysically connected with the seven energy centres that we have in our vital axis and that's how music energises our healing mechanism."

Music also has a profound effect on your brain, which can be induced into a more relaxed and higher level of consciousness though music. This improves memory and concentration, but only if the music is soothing.

All of us living in cities know that all sounds aren't therapeutic, but a good way to chill is by listening to some Indian classical music.

Just remember to choose the right raga for the time of day and if you want to be more specific, get your therapist to choose the tunes for you.

meena · Post by **meena** » 09 Aug 2006, 23:39

Deleted

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 10 Aug 2006, 00:52

Meena,
Thanks for the interesting post. We as lay persons and rasikas know of music's benefits on a personal level. More research might yield more positive proofs.
Would the rasikas cum medical professionals on the forum care to comment? What do they think of the lists of ragas and their theraputic effects? What part can one's own taste for ragas play in this?

meena · Post by **meena** » 10 Aug 2006, 04:41

Hindolam and Vasantha gave relief from Vatha Roga, B.P, Gastritis and purified blood.

what is vatha roga?

drshrikaanth · Post by **drshrikaanth** » 10 Aug 2006, 04:47

vAta rOga- refers to rheumatism, pain in joints, arthritis etc.

AyurvEda is based on tridOSha theory- dOShas/aberrations/disharmony in the three humors- vAta(wind), pittha (bile) and kapha (phlegm).

meena · Post by **meena** » 10 Aug 2006, 05:36

thanku DRS