In a new form of communication, Ashwini Narayangaonkar-Kamath found that it does not matter if she has a dialogue in a foreign languages with you, but she is concerned about her new found love for the language of Indian Classical Music. She reports on her recent workshop in Mumbai.

It helps to speak different languages. I realised that when I started conducting workshops and lectures for educational institutions and corporate set-ups. Now, I don’t conduct seminars on foreign languages, but I most definitely speak a language, that fortunately or unfortunately not many amongst the common folk like us are familiar with. And that is the language of Indian Classical Music.

My main aim and motto behind engaging with people of different age groups and backgrounds across schools, colleges and offices is to acquaint them with a very significant aspect of our heritage and culture. To make them realise that Indian Classical Music isn’t as uncool or obsolete as they may think it is.

So while I greet the attendees in a foreign language and receive perplexed expressions in response, I highlight the point that understanding Indian Classical Music is as good as knowing an exotic language and being able to converse and connect with those who speak it.

From all the workshops that I have conducted over the years, I’d like to share my experience of a recent one. I was invited to enlighten the Executive MBA batch of the prestigious S.P.Jain Management Institute, Mumbai. With the participants holding mid and senior managerial positions at different public and private companies, it was an insightful experience on both sides. While engaging with the younger generation is always more dynamic and fun, interacting with adults is challenging as well. For one, they may come with pre-conceived notions and assumptions that can be difficult to crack. But it is oddly fulfilling to provide something new to grasp and learn, to individuals already experienced in the school of Life. 

While I use different techniques to prove the similarity between Indian Classical Music and the music they understand or like, I keep subtly stressing on the fact that Indian Classical Music gives a strong foundation to experiment with any other genre of our preference. What helps further is when they learn about the numerous benefits of learning this art form through a Live Demo of musical exercises meant for concentration, focus and memory. That definitely is a way of pushing away the occurrence of Dementia, Alzheimer’s and overall reduction of memory with age. And who can deny the destressing characteristic of music.

As a practising Music Therapist to help people suffering from Arthritis, Asthma, Hypertension, Diabetes, Acidity, Insomnia and Migraine, I am living proof that the power of Music goes beyond beating psychological stress. It isn’t a miracle when a person suffering from high BP over the years, regains a normal BP with Music Therapy or someone suffering from unending pain and restricted mobility is able to walk and sit normally once again.

The reason I don’t call it a miracle is because the therapy I practice, namely Sur Sanjeevan Music Therapy, is a scientific technique using a holistic approach based on Ayurveda and Brain Wave entrainment that uses Indian Classical Music as a medium for therapy. A complimentary mode of treatment, it enhances the body’s responsiveness to traditional medication while using its own science to restore the imbalance in the body that manifest as the disorders stated above.

The session held at S.P.Jain Management Institute concluded with a much needed therapy session for Stress. The evening ended on a high note with the attendees feeling much relaxed after listening to a specially created Therapeutic music piece and hopefully reignited the desire to reconnect with their lost passion for music.

By Ashwini Narayangaonkar-Kamath

Ashwini Narayangaonkar-Kamath is the eleventh generation of her family to be dedicated to the ancient art form of Indian classical music. As a singer, she has performed in India and abroad, has music albums to her credit and successfully runs her classical music academy - Deepak Music Academy all over Mumbai.

For more details do log onto her website:

http://www.deepakmusicacademychembur.com