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Soothing strains
By Esther Williams
"Music therapy is an effective method of curing stress-related disorders as it touches a person at an emotional level," says music therapist L.P. Sisira Karunatillake. This age- old approach, he says, can have a positive influence on the mind and body.

"Stress-related problems include colossal frustration, anger and jealousy stemming from failed attempts to achieve quick success in life, eventually culminating in anxiety and depression," he says. While modern medicine provides cures for these ailments, there are often side effects. "Music therapy is natural, effective, less expensive and devoid of side effects," he stresses.

Gaining a doctorate from the Benaras Hindu University (BHU), India, he studied music for over 12 years and is an accomplished sitar player. After completing his Masters in instrumental music from BHU he opted for research in music therapy -studying both at the music and medical faculties.

Based on extensive research, he has selected 20 established Indian classical ragas/melodies that evoke special feelings of peace, contentment, romance, etc., 10 having a sedative effect suitable for those suffering from anxiety and 10 mood-alleviating tunes for depression. He develops and improvises on them to suit individual needs.

His thesis testifies to the extensive research undertaken by him, the ragas having been experimented on patients at the Benaras teaching hospital. "With every sitting we were able to draw the patient deeper and deeper into the melody and ultimately free the mind of its depressed or stressful state," he explains.

Over the past two years he has offered the therapy at various hospitals and an ayurvedic clinic, treating over 200 patients and receiving encouraging feedback. 75 % of his patients, he claims, were cured.

Music therapy apparently has been used for healing to bring about physical, mental and spiritual equilibrium for over a thousand years. "Just like a newborn baby goes to sleep happily listening to his/her mother's lullaby that aids in its mental development, music can work to calm our minds."

Most who have sought Dr. Karunatillake' therapy came to him as a last resort, when other medicines had failed. Consultation begins with acquiring all pertinent details of the individual with regard to his/her chief complaints. Subsequently, based on a Prakriti Pariksha that analyses the mental structure of an individual he decides on an individual programme.

The first 10 days would comprise of 45-minute sessions each day where the doctor personally plays music for the patient in a noise-free, darkened room. Following an analysis after day 10, another 11-day programme is carried out by which time most of the patients are cured.

On its benefits, the therapist says, "It is not painful or tiring. It can only relax you and give you a feeling of well-being, thereby improving your self-confidence, memory power and productivity." Occasionally, the therapist uses tabla or drum music for those under depression, its rhythm helping to stimulate and lift spirits. Research indicates that stress releases the cortisol hormone into the blood which can be manifested into a physiological problem like headache, diarrhoea, higher cholesterol or blood pressure. "Selected music can bring down the level of the cortisol hormone and relieve you of other symptoms," he says.

Since 2003, Dr. Karunatillake has offered the discipline for degree students in the Institute of Aesthetic Studies, University of Kelaniya. Currently he is the only qualified person in the country offering this therapy and is now in the process of producing audio CDs of his music. Those seeking his therapy need not be lovers of classical music to benefit from it, he says.

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