T.V. Sairam has made an unusual shift from a tax man to a music therapist. Though, the shift is unique, Sairam has passionately explored the healing ragas of music. Commenting on the change of outlook of people on music therapy, he says, “Ten years back when I started to propagate music therapy in public lectures, I encountered greater skepticism in the people, as compared to today. In fact, the modern researches have affirmed in the healing powers of music.
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T.V.Sairam, a former administrator, has not just a deep knowledge of basic financial procedures but also of alleviating ailments through music. Practitioners of Carnatic and Hindustani music have been aware of the power and influence of the ragas as a balm for the mind. " Some ragas such as Darbari-Kanhara, Khamaj and Pooriya were strongly recommended by ancient vaids for defusing tension of the mind, particularly during episodes of hysteria" says Sairam. T.V.Sairam’s book on herbs by Penguin was a runaway success. His biography has been selected in Cambridge University’s Outstanding Intellectuals of the 20th Century.
When a senior member of the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) whose job was to examine financial statements and look for tax evasions, becomes a music healer it is once more news hour. T.V.Sairam, has not just a deep knowledge of basic financial procedures but of alleviating mind ailments through music.
"Music is extremely therapeutic. It has a direct positive relationship with the mind. Any ailment connected with the mind like, dementia, depression, insomnia, mania, negative emotions, neurosis, pain, restlessness, stress and neurosis can be managed with music. It is the perfect therapy for the sick mind," says T.V.Sairam.
New research now endorses Sairam’s view. French physician Dr Alfred Tomatis study stretching over 50 years covering over 100,000 patients has concluded that people with defective speech or those unable to communicate with clarity improved their expression power when they were made to listen to Mozart’s music for an hour every day for a period of 6-7 months.
Sairam is aware of Dr. Tomatis’s Mozart music therapy. In fact he narrates an anecdote. During his struggling days the French superstar, Gerard Depardieu had a speech problem. He was unable to deliver a dialogue properly. Dr. Tomatis’s music therapy helped him overcome his speech handicap and he went on to become the French equivalent of India’s Amitabh Bachchan.
Practitioners of Carnatic and Hindustani music were fully aware of the power and influence of the ragas as a balm for the mind. " Some ragas such as Darbari-Kanhara, Khamaj and Pooriya were strongly recommended by ancient vaids for defusing tension of the mind, particularly during episodes of hysteria" says Sairam.
Hypertension is another health ailment that responds positively to music. Ragas such as Ahirbhairav and Todi have been recommended for patients with high blood pressure. On the other hand, low blood pressure is healed with the feminine Raga Malkauns, believed to have supernatural energy.
Control over anger and inner violence, according to Sairam, can be attained with the use of Carnatic ragas such Punnagavarali and Sahana. Even stomach-related disorders can be settled through ragas from the Hindustani system---Raga Deepak for acidity, Gunakali and Jaunpuri for constipation, Mian ki Malhar and Darbari Kanada for Chronic asthma, Bhairavi for Sinusitis, Todi and Poorvi for Headache and anxiety, and Kafi and Khamaj for Sleep disorders are tested Raga therapies.
High fevers, says Sairam, such as malaria have been arrested through Hindol and Marva ragas. Headaches can be banished by any of the three ragas--Darbari-Kanhara, Jayjaywanti or Sohan. Insomniacs will be lulled to sleep by Bageshri and Darbari ragas.
Sairam who himself plays several Indian musical instruments, is a man of many parts. He has a master’s degrees in botany, economics and social science apart from several diplomas in French, Public Administration, International Economic Relations, International Marketing.
He was awarded the French government scholarship a degree in public administration from the Poitiers in Paris and a UGC fellowship to do a study on medicinal plants. He also worked as a consultant for the United Nations Development Programme in Tanzania.
Author of several books, he is best known for Home Remedies [Volumes 1- 1V] published by Penguin. It is an exhaustive lexicon on the healing power of herbs. Sairam’s biography has been selected for the Outstanding Intellectuals of the 20th Century by Cambridge University’s International Biographical Society.
His interest in music therapy however comes form his formal training in the Carnatic system of music under the tutelage of Vidwan Sri S.V. Ramani.
"Children must be exposed to music. There is tremendous pressure on them to excel in myriad competitions. Music can be a great de-stressing agent," says Sairam whose daughter is a senior advertising executive in New York and son a third year chemical engineering student in Chennai
Patients, adolescents, and the elderly, all age groups show great improvement in their responses when ‘therapeutized’ with music. It is a win-win situation," says the multi-talented civil-servant.
While medically the healing power of music may still demand fine tuning, just tune into the music after a hard day’s work and see how it breathes a new life into tired body and stressed minds.
Sairam’s 10-Point Music Therapy
* Listen with your heart and not just your mind.
* Enjoy music. Don’t analyze it.
* Listen to good music for about 15 minutes four times a day.
* Make driving, eating, bathing or cooking more enjoyable with music.
* Never listen to music on an empty stomach.
* Actual singing or playing a raga is preferable to passive listening.
* Learn to play a musical instrument.
* Get children into the habit of listening to music.
* Always have gentle, soothing music playing around a sick person.
* Have a good music library at home.
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