Musical Medicine

Everyone loves music.

Individual preferences differ when it comes to the type of music we enjoy or the situations in which we prefer a tune in our ears. But otherwise almost every soul on earth has a rhythm that he finds uplifting.

From the classical music enthusiasts that throng musical halls in December to hear their favorite artists "kacheris"(concerts) to the college youth dancing away to the latest "kuthu pattu" (filmy fast-paced folk songs. Even this one has a page on Wikipedia!) to the little tiny tots gluing their eyes to the television box for the umpteenth rerun of  "Wheels on the bus" we all have a preference.

Some like to listen while exercising, some while they retire for the day, some while travelling and some while doing some physical work . Of course there are those that love to have loud beats blaring from their speakers all the time!

When its physical work, the music relaxes us and helps us work with enthusiasm . Songs from rural folklore that farming women sing while planting the paddy saplings, the beautiful rhythmic songs associated with the traditional boat races of Kerala, the songs and kind of music related to fishermen folk are all examples of this.

Last week my husband had a toothache and so we had to go to a dentist. I am personally terrified of a dentists room. The tools in there look so formidable though they are actually rendering a service to humanity and bringing more smiles!

This particular dentist had Mandarin songs playing in his consulting room. I think it was coming from a tablet and though I could not understand a word I found it pretty comforting. Initially i found it odd but soon realized that it kind of soothed my nerves and it felt a lot less scarier. OK it was not me going under those scary lights (yes the lights are scary too!) but nevertheless my nerves did need some soothing!

My mother says that MRI scans can make one a bit nervous and the noises that one hears while taking it can aggravate one's apprehension. These days apparently they play music instead that helps one to pass time faster and also the noises get subdued.

I remember when I had my Caesarean for my son's delivery the anaesthetist kept humming a Carnatic raaga and I asked him groggily if he was the December music season effect. 

I have seen advertisements for music therapy for pregnant women that targets stimulating the brain cells of the developing foetus! 

If Tansen could bring rain or light lamps through music probably there is a way to get your cut to seal itself or the scar to disappear by just listening to a song! Wow!! If that art is discovered and practised doctors would probably be carrying flutes and guitars instead of stethoscopes!

Next time you visit the dentist, do remember to check if you can turn the radio on!