{"id":2871,"date":"2024-06-21T10:53:12","date_gmt":"2024-06-21T10:53:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.navhindtimes.in\/kuriocity\/?p=2871"},"modified":"2024-06-21T10:53:12","modified_gmt":"2024-06-21T10:53:12","slug":"the-power-of-music","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.navhindtimes.in\/kuriocity\/the-power-of-music\/","title":{"rendered":"The power of music"},"content":{"rendered":"

On World Music Day, NT KURIOCITY <\/strong>delves into the importance of teaching music to children at a young age<\/span><\/p>\n

RAMANDEEP KAUR | NT KURIOCITY<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Introducing music to children at a tender age is more than just a fun activity; it\u2019s a powerful journey that opens doors to knowledge, skills, and emotional growth.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Music\u2019s early benefits<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Founder of music education charity, Child\u2019s Play India Foundation, Dr. Luis Dias says, \u201cLearning music also imparts a knowledge of and exposure to mathematics, history, science, physical exercise and foreign languages,\u201d he says. \u201cIt also bestows creative thinking and transferable skills that are useful in later life and make him\/her a kinder, gentler, more responsible and confident citizen and human being.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He adds that playing an instrument or singing allows individuals to express themselves in unique ways that speech, writing, or other art forms cannot achieve. \u201cEarly music education has also been shown to prevent or delay onset of dementia in later life,\u201d he says.<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition, key values are also instilled through music education. \u201cOne learns, for example, that there is no substitute for hard work. Discipline is crucial, as progress on an instrument depends on daily practice and the gradual improvements made each day or week, which may not be immediately obvious to the child but contribute significantly to their technique and growth as a musician,\u201d he says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ensemble playing or singing, according to Dias, further enhances these values by promoting teamwork and communal harmony. \u201cMusic ensembles act as microcosms of society, where every voice, regardless of its size, contributes to achieving harmony,\u201d he says, adding that the friendships formed through music-making create strong bonds that often last a lifetime.<\/span><\/p>\n

Besides this, music also <\/span>has therapeutic potential. \u201cMusic is the best mood-lifter there is, with no side effects and absolutely free of cost. More and more physicians are prescribing participation in music as an antidote to depression and other mental health issues, for people of all ages,\u201d he says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Faculty in-charge, Theme Music Institute Private Limited, Margao, Russel D’souza (who teaches piano, violin, guitar and vocals) agrees that music education plays an important role in a child\u2019s holistic growth. \u201cIt develops the child\u2019s cognitive, communicative, and social skills. It teaches the child to be a multi-tasker and equips them to be disciplined and goal-oriented individuals later in life,\u201d he says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Director of the Department of Western Music at Kala Academy Goa, Fr. Romeo Monteiro also believes that music is one of the vital aspects of all-round education. \u201cStudies have shown that children are born with an innate sense of rhythm, singing, and deep listening potential. If music is introduced to children at a young age, it will surely help nurture and develop their sensibilities\u2014not only musical sensibilities but all-round general sensibilities to their maximum capacity,\u201d he says.<\/span><\/p>\n

In fact, Fr. Monteiro feels that music education should not be an add-on or an extra benefit in a curriculum, but rather a prime concern, something necessary in the students\u2019 curriculum right from the beginning.<\/span><\/p>\n

At Kala Academy where students are admitted from the age group of seven onwards, they use different strategies depending on the student, age group and other factors which are involved in order to bring out the best in each student.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Parental guidance<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

To aid in a child\u2019s early music education, the role of parents\/caregivers is of utmost importance. According to D\u2019souza, parents help in instilling in their child the routine of what he calls \u20183 P\u2019s\u2019 – passion, practice, and perseverance. \u201cBy imparting these strong values at an early age, they prepare their children to become better individuals capable of handling professional life,\u201d he says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fr. Monteiro says that if there is a musically inclined parent in the family, they can surely help the student develop their musical skills and bring out their talents in a more efficient and prominent manner.<\/span><\/p>\n

In fact, like many parents who have knowledge of or are active in music themselves, Carnatic music teacher at BITS Pilani, Vasco, Sandhya Jayakumar has ensured that her daughter too got to experience the joys of music early. \u201cTraditional music offers numerous advantages, such as shaping the voice beautifully and bringing internal peace. It has a calming and positive effect on the body and mind,\u201d she says.<\/span><\/p>\n

And her daughter, Athulya VM, currently preparing for her MPhil believes that an early beginning in music has indeed benefitted her greatly. \u201cMusic truly heals my soul and helps me stay calm in stressful situations,\u201d she says, encouraging other children to pursue classical music, even if the beginning is challenging.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sneha Shirwaikar, a parent to 11-year-old Eesha who has been learning Hindustani classical vocals for the past four years, shares that when her daughter was a baby, they often played music. As she grew up and she started picking up Konkani songs and singing them and noting that she had a gifted voice, they enrolled her in Hindustani classical vocal lessons. \u201cExposing Eesha to Hindustani classical music was primarily to help her understand the value of art, a rich part of our Indian culture. It builds dedication, perseverance, and confidence. We are delighted to see her growing interest in music\u2014classical, folk, and popular.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

According to Shirwaikar, music has also shaped her daughter\u2019s emotions. \u201cShe can stay calm in tense situations. Her focus and attention to detail, identifying \u2018sur\u2019 from songs and melodies have definitely had a positive impact on her daily life. The other day, she told me that different cultures have influenced the music she is learning. This is a wonderful way to learn about the world and how humanity works,\u201d she says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Reflecting on her musical journey, Eesha says that music has taught her patience and concentration. \u201cStarting at an early age is helping me shape my voice, and the qualities required to learn music have helped me manage my time effectively as I balance music with school and karate,\u201d she says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another parent, Maya Amonkar, whose son (12) and daughter (20) have been learning Western music (electronic keyboard) from a young age, believes that children naturally possess an innate sense of music. She says, \u201cI introduced them to music at a young age because she felt it was the most natural thing to do. \u201cIt\u2019s a hobby that will stay with them for a lifetime. Music acts as therapy; channelling children\u2019s abundant energy into productive activities can be life-changing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Amonkar adds that introducing her son to music has helped him de-stress positively. Meanwhile, her daughter is pursuing her dentistry degree at Goa Dental College, Bambolim. \u201cSince music has been a part of her life. It has helped her develop patience, compassion, and perseverance.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGrowing up with music has helped her build qualities that are useful in life, such as resilience, empathy, and determination.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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A lifelong music affair<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Shivangi Shetye Bhandare, a legal assistant and part-time professional performer, began her musical journey at age 10. Inspired by her father\u2019s orchestral singing, she took Indian classical music lessons, studying up to Madhyama Purna (equivalent to a music diploma). Music not only improved her singing skills but also ignited a lifelong passion.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI started participating in all-Goa singing competitions and won prizes from the age of eight. Then, I began doing stage shows at the age of 18. Early exposure to music helped me identify the passion of my life.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ashweta Mamledar, a full-time musician who teaches vocal lessons and music theory part-time, reveals that her mother was a classical singer for All India Radio and played a crucial role in encouraging her pursuit of music. \u201cTo this day, music remains a way for me to articulate unspoken emotions.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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The musical journey of an autistic child<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Eleven-year-old Chinmay Patkar, an autistic child with a deep passion for classical music, credits his family\u2019s rich musical heritage for sparking his interest in the art form. Patkar comes from a family with a strong musical tradition going back to his great-grandfather.<\/span><\/p>\n

He says, \u201cMusic has been with me since I was very young. Even as a little kid, I would play with kitchen utensils and sing along to melodies I heard, simply because I enjoyed it so much.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He adds that he used to also try to imitate musicians and singers whenever he watched them perform and formally began studying music at the age of three.<\/span><\/p>\n

For him, music has been invaluable in his journey as an autistic individual. \u201cIt helps me express myself and connect with others more easily. It allows me to express myself in ways that words sometimes cannot,\u201d he says.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

On World Music Day, NT KURIOCITY delves into the importance of teaching music to children at a young age RAMANDEEP KAUR | NT KURIOCITY\u00a0 Introducing music to children at a tender age is more than just a fun activity; it\u2019s a powerful journey that opens doors to knowledge, skills, and emotional growth.   Music\u2019s early […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2872,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2871","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-aspire-inspire","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.navhindtimes.in\/kuriocity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2871","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.navhindtimes.in\/kuriocity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.navhindtimes.in\/kuriocity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.navhindtimes.in\/kuriocity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.navhindtimes.in\/kuriocity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2871"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.navhindtimes.in\/kuriocity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2871\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2876,"href":"https:\/\/www.navhindtimes.in\/kuriocity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2871\/revisions\/2876"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.navhindtimes.in\/kuriocity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2872"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.navhindtimes.in\/kuriocity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2871"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.navhindtimes.in\/kuriocity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2871"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.navhindtimes.in\/kuriocity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2871"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}