AN ARTICLE FROM THE HINDU DAILY,DATED,10/02/06,SENT BY ARIA MAHESON

[Guest guest]

JAYA GURU DATTA

 

 

 

Music extends a healing touch

RANJANI GOVIND

There's more to the seven notes of Carnatic music, Ganapati Sachidananda

Swami explains.

 

 

 

PHOTO: R. RAGU

 

FOR WELL-BEING: Ganapati Sachidananda Swami sings.

 

``There is so much music in Chennai, the city is referred to as `Nada

Chennai' in America," said Sri Ganapati Sachidananda Swami of Avadhoota Datta

Peetam, Mysore. Those who attended ``Meditation and Healing - Nada Chikitsa"

that

the Swamiji had organised at the Music Academy on Tuesday last, learnt how

music not only gave pleasure but also helped tackle ailments. There were 12

artistes on stage, including some veterans such as N. Ramani (flute),

Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman (mridangam), and Mysore M. Nagaraj (violin). V. Suresh

(ghatam), Shankar (mridangam), Jaitra Varanasi (violin), Mani Sharma (harmonium)

and

Mahesh Bhat (tabla) were the other accompanists.

In his brief lecture, the Swamiji explained the therapeutic value of music.

Nada should be approached with reverence and devotion, he said. ``Hindu

scriptures and our ancient Raga Ragini Vidya and Raga Chikitsa have reiterated

the

advantages of healing through music and spiritual music therapy. I am only

expanding on this ancient tradition and bringing them to you in a 20th century

format," said the Swamiji, a master of keyboard/synthesiser. Identification

of the Indian classical ragas and their consonance with the elements of

nature (Panchabhootas) helped him trace the concepts related to `music for

meditation and healing.' ``The ragas I use for enhancing the effect of medicine

are

also based on astrology, psychology and Patanjali yogasutras," he said.

Five elements

 

The Swamiji's method involves the appropriate use of raga scales for the

five elements. The vibrations activate the chakra (human body has a number of

energy centres called charkas and metaphysical energy channels called Nadis)

related to the organ. ``I am not saying that doctors, surgery, disease and

medicines can be forgotten," the Swamiji clarified. In 1978, he had explained

to

a set of curious doctors in Germany about the effect of making patients

listen to certain ragas before and after the operation. His Music Therapy

Research

Center has patients of varied disorders registered for therapy sessions.

There is a `Nada Mantapa' in his Ashram in Mysore, with 72 pillars (for the

melakartha ragas).

The seven notes in Nada are covered by SAgaram, pRItvi, GAganam, MAnushya

and Pakshi, PAramapurushartam, DAnam and Dharmam and NIvarthi (Karma and

Dharma).

It was not a kriti-based, ragam-tanam-pallavi kind of concert, that evening.

The accent was on musical scales that highlight the raga passages. The

Swamiji brought in sahitya, swara and raga in combinations, depending on the

raga

chosen.

After directing some sparkling crystals towards the audience for studying

the energy patterns and absorbing all negativity, it was time to invoke

Ganapati through raga Rishikeshapriya. ``Music should also include sahitya and

voice," said the Swamiji while he brought in a crisp prayer-like passage in

Varaali that had the entire team join in unison. Varaali is good for Vayu

tatva,

heart and skin ailments, the Swamiji told the audience.

Vaasanthi can clear the fog of confusion when a series of medical tests has

to be analysed, the listeners were told. The Swamiji exhorted senior

musicians to use these ragas more. Raga Kokilam helped prevent stone formation,

burning sensation, sleeplessness and anxiety, he said. His elaboration with

enjoyable variations from his synthesiser and accompanists brought in vilamba

and

madhyamakala phrases for deep relaxation. Ganapathi Swamiji's magic lies in

synthesising both orchestrated phrases and improvisations to energise the

atmosphere. After playing Hemavathi, which sooths the back and painful joints,

the

Swamiji walked along the aisles of the auditorium with his crystals for

harmonising energies, before he presented a fast number in Madhuvarshini ragam.

Another unique touch was using Sama for Mangalam. The raga is good for the

nerves, Swamiji explained.

Betal leaves and water were distributed for energy absorption and balancing.