Music has frequently been used as a therapeutic agent from the ancient times. Music is a kind of yoga system which, through the medium of sonorous sound, acts upon the human organism and awakens and develops their proper functions to the extent of self-realization. This is the ultimate goal of Hindu Philosophy and religion. Melody is the keynote of Indian Music. The 'Raga' is the basis of melody. Various 'Ragas', have been found to be very effective in curing many diseases.

Individual of any age and ability may benefit from Music Therapy, regardless of musical skill and background. Music Therapy may address physical, psychological, emotional, cognitive and social needs with therapeutic relationships. It focuses on meeting therapeutic aims, which distinguishes it from musical entertainment or musical education.

One obvious use of music is that of a sedative. It can replace the administration of tranquilizers, or at least reduce the dosage of tranquilizers.

The right kind of Music has the ability to increase the metabolic activities within the human body. It accelerates the respiration, influences the internal secretion, improves the muscular activities and as such affects the "Central Nervous System" and Circulatory System of the listener as well as the performer.

Music has two modes of presentation. One is passive mode, which gives importance to listening, the other one is active mode, which give importance to participating. Music which is a complementary form of medicine, in few situations can function as an alternative medicine also.

In my sessions of diagnosis and subsequent therapy, I apply the formula of the 3 Ps

• Perfect Time - It includes duration, span, interval and time to play the music.
• Perfect Direction - It includes posture and conditions to listen the music.
• Perfect Force - It includes Tone, Timber, sound quality and volume of Meditative Music.

Since 1993, I am a practitioner of Music Therapy. After several patients, I have observed that Indian classical Ragas to have healing effects. They stimulate the brain, ease tension and remove fatigue. The effect of Music Therapy may be immediate or slow, depending upon number of factors like the subject, his/her mental condition, environment and the type of Music selected for bringing the desired effect.

Music Therapy largely depends on individual needs and taste and hence is highly subjective and customised. The use of Music as therapy is based on a scientific and clinical approach and has to be used with great care and a deep study of the nature of illness. I also keep in mind the three categories of patients depending on their knowledge and involvement in Music - the learned Musician, the lovers of music, and the non-musical.

Before using music as therapy it must be ascertained which type of music is to be used. The result of Music Therapy is dependent on correct intonation and right use of the basic elements of music such as notes [swara], rhythm, volume, beats, and the piece of melody. There are countless Ragas, of course, with countless characteristics and peculiarities of their own. That is why we cannot establish any generic rule to associate a particular Raga for a particular disease. Different types of Ragas are applied in each different case.

Many of the imbalances in the so called normal person may also be set right by regular exposure to certain Ragas with special emphasis on certain notes. Music Therapy acts on the human body before being transformed into thought and feelings.

I feel, though at an initial state of revival, this ancient Indian art of wellness of being through Music still has a long way to go and my efforts in this direction will help in curing many of the modern-man's illnesses.

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If you want to avail the services for healing, or need a brief on the same, please feel free to contact me and we can take it further. References can be provided if the need arises.

Apart from treating patients, as a professional Music Therapist, I can also be contacted to conduct lecture demonstrations and seminars to spread the awareness about Music Therapy as a powerful healing tool.

The biggest advantage of an alternative form of medicine is that it can be used, not just for sick patients, but to reinforce wellness in a normal person too. The possibility of using Music Therapy in its passive form, where the target just 'listens' to the music, makes it an easy to conduct therapy. Music therapy helps to restore good health and helps to maintain the same. Active mode requires participation of the patients in the music therapy sessions, while the passive mode of music therapy requires mere involved listening. In the medical field, passive form of music therapy plays a dominant role in the betterment of the patients.

Another reason why Music Therapy is so lucrative is because it is beneficial for all ages. The traditional medicinal forms which are not as effective, or have deleterous side-effects on children, find an alternative solution in Music Therapy. The active mode of music therapy is useful in Pediatric areas, especially for Neurological problems. Music therapy helps the hyper active child to reduce the over activity in a given period of time and enhance the quality of concentration in child. With regard to speech difficulties in children this active mode of music enhances the quality of fluency in speech. Music training also enhances the Verbal Memory in children. Many of the behavioral problems in children, developmental delays and other problematic behaviors can be attended through active mode of music therapy. It also Therapy helps in development of expressive behavior and imagination in children.

In cases of neurological aphasia; both the receptive and expressive aphasia may get the necessary stimulation required to bring back the needed communication in patients. The lyrics in active music surely trigger the memory folders in the brains of patients and helps to revive the same.

The passive form of music therapy may surely be implemented in almost all areas of medical field as an adjunct to medicine.

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