Prescribing a healthy dose of music therapy
Five-year-old Navaranjini was too small to reach the piano keys and had to be carried up on to the piano stool. Today, Florence Navaranjini Olegasegarem keeps the Sri Lankan flag flying high on distant shores, as the only Sri Lankan on the Australian Music Examiners Board in New South Wales.
Navaranjini who lives in Sydney, Australia and was on a visit to Sri Lanka recently, is in a nutshell, a ‘music specialist’. A qualified and eminent teacher in voice and piano, she also has a wealth of experience in the field to her credit.
A well-known singer back home before she migrated to Australia, she now trains students for various competitions and examinations and conducts choral training as well in Australia.
“I train students for the ‘Eisteddfods’ music based competitions too,” says Navaranjini, explaining that this was a concept that had its beginnings in Ireland and has now spread to other countries across the globe.
Blessed with a beautiful voice, Navaranjini has thrilled classical music fans with her performances both in Colombo and in Sydney where she sang 14 operatic soprano lead roles. She has also been an accompanist to various musicians.
This passion for music that began at a tender age continues to this day and Navaranjini has passed on the ‘music genes’ to the second and even third generations of her family, including her four-year-old grandson. Her daughter holds a Fellowship in singing and her son is a violinist. While three of her grandchildren are also learning to play the violin and the fourth the cello, they all learn piano and singing too under the guidance of their favourite teacher – their grandmother!
“My husband Rex is our audience and is a constant source of encouragement,” says Navaranjini, before adding with a grin “he is our critic too!”
However, Navaranjini did not always want to be a musician. There was a time when her career aspirations inclined towards the field of medicine. “I wanted to be a doctor!” she says with a smile.
Today, Navaranjini has not given up her fascination for medicine, rather reconciling her passion for music and interest in medicine to be of service to society.
She has learnt to use music as a means of reaching out to those with certain disabilities or suffering from ailments helping them to lead as far as possible a near normal life, by prescribing a medicine that she knows best – music therapy.
She shares the story of a stroke patient whose ability to freely move her hands was severely restricted following the stroke. The process of learning how to play music gradually trained her fingers to move with ease and released the stiffness.
“She can now play 20 different tunes!” enthuses Navaranjini. Music therapy , the planned use of music which enhances the physical, sensory, emotional, social and psychological well being enhances the patient’s quality of life.
“It is one medicine with absolutely no harmful side effects!” smiles Navaranjini. Navaranjini who completed a Postgraduate course on Music Therapy, is a Registered Music Therapist and a Neurological Music Therapist.
Neurological music therapy is a medically recognized evidence based and researched therapy which is integrated with Evidence Based Medicine (EBM), which utilizes standardized treatment methodologies. The treatment techniques are based on scientific research and are directed by functional therapeutic goals.
Navaranjini was able to gain much knowledge and exposure on the subject at a seminar held recently by Professor Michael Thaut from Colorado which is the main base for Neurological Music Therapy.
Navaranjini conducts music therapy at the Sir Moses Montefiore Jewish Home for Aged Care and also works with those who are autistic, differently abled and with those who suffer acute difficulties.
“Music stimulates them and the brain can be re-trained to carry out various functions,” she says. “Human beings are born with music. When we are in the womb, we hear the rhythmic beating of the heart. As a result, a spontaneous response is detected in individuals when music therapy is done.”
Before music therapy is administered to an individual firstly a general assessment is carried out, followed by a re-assessment of the individual’s needs, capabilities and preferences. Thereafter, a care plan is sketched in relation to their needs, goals and the necessary interventions. An evaluation on the effectiveness of the interventions is then carried out every three months.
“The kind of music to be used is prescribed as per the need of the individual,” explains Navaranjini, adding that music, which can calm and soothe the nerves, helps to instil coordination and the ability to move with intent and purpose in those suffering from stroke or Parkinson’s disease.
Navaranjini also spoke of how music therapy has helped those who are saddened by various incidents leading them to open up and share their stories, thus bringing about a closure to the unhappy memories.
Therefore, song writing, sing-a-longs, instrumental playing and choir training are certain techniques employed in music therapy which increases self-esteem, socialisation, concentration span and self expression, to mention just a few advantages.
“Music therapy can be shown as a science based therapy and is a wonderful tool to use in rehabilitation. Reliable results can be obtained,” she says.
An ardent advocate of music therapy, she would like to see the concept gain more recognition in Sri Lanka. “More awareness should be raised on music therapy.” she says.
For Navaranjini personally, who simply loved ‘being back home in Sri Lanka,’ the enjoyable holiday was over too soon and she heads back to Sydney and the work she loves, as well as her “ own therapists” – her grandchildren!
Follow @timesonlinelk
Related Posts:
Strumming their heartstrings with songThis year, Sri Lanka celebrates a centenary of special needs education. One in 93 children in the country may have ...
‘Kammeliya’Nuwan and Collin, a popular singing duo of trendy ‘Gemba’ fame has released their latest hit single ‘Kammeliya’ under ‘m ...
Glittering launch for Mano Chanmugam Music FoundationOn a recent Sunday night, music lovers and others made their way to Hunter’s End, the palatial Piliyandala home of ...
“Sadani” – A musical Extravaganza Organized by the Oriental Music Society of Trinity College Kandy on October 18“Sadani” The musical Extavagnzaorganized by the Oriental Music Society of Trinity College Kandy is to be held on October 18 ...
Her songHer name is pronounced ‘Neeve’ and in Irish mythology her namesake is the daughter of the sea god. “She was ...