Music for leisure, pleasure and therapy

by S. Bandara

Music can be defined as an arrangement or the art of combining or putting together, sounds that please the ear.

Music is one of the oldest forms of expression, older than language or art. It begins with the voice and with our overwhelming need to reach out to others. In fact music is for man, for more than anything else. Music touches our feelings more deeply than most words and makes us respond with our whole being.

Music has played an important role in the life of people. It is a personal language often conveying our deepest feelings and emotions. Birth, love, work, maturity and death have been documented and celebrated to the accompaniment of this special language.

A mother's lullaby to quieten her child, a song to express deep love for another, the rhythms of a work, song to help lighten a burden, the jazz and dancing at a black funeral in New Orleans to express deep sorrow. These are some of the many sounds of music in life.

Music was closely bound to the myth and beliefs of ancient cultures. The Indian Raga, for example, was associated not only with specific mood but also with particular times of the year and religious ceremonies. In many parts of the world this relationship between music and belief persists. Many oceanic people, native Americans and others still see music as the expression of sacred beings.

Classical music today is heard primarily as an entertainment art form. This is just one of the ways in which it functions throughout the world. From the earliest civilisations to the present day, in almost every culture including those of the west, music has played an important role in religious practices.

Music is now a universal media which could be enjoyed by art lovers all over the world. It is creative, boundless and is not restricted to any particular State or nation.

The language of music can be used to speak to the hearts and minds of anyone in any part of the world.

Music is also for your leisure, pleasure and therapy, if performed in the correct manner. Good music helps to soothe the nerves and enhance the muscles.

People like to listen to good music, perform on their own, sing a few songs and enjoy for themselves. Scientists have now found that music could be used as a form of therapy to bring relief and cure patients.

Music helps each person to be a sensitive human, learning to think of and feel for and care for each other and thus live in harmony.

As long as the human race survives, music will be essential for us. We need music as much as we need each other.