Sangeeth Bhavana promotes music therapy to relieve stress
 

R. S. Karunaratne

MUSIC: Prominent musician Anil Mihiripenna's latest book. 'Anil Mihiripenna's new instrumental compositions for North Indian Music' will be launched at the Indian Cultural Centre on February 14 at 6.30 p.m. Indian High Commissioner Nirupama Menon Rao will be the chief guest.

The launching of Anil Mihiripenna's new instrumental compositions for North Indian music comes in the wake of his recent Sangeeth Bhavana concert aimed at relieving people of stress or elemental disorder of any kind of mental problems.

For the main theme of Sangeeth Bhavana, Mihiripenna used eight vocalists and several musical instruments such as the flute, the violin, the sarod and the esraj.

"I didn't use any percussion purposely because I thought it might disturb the meditation. I have also not used any popular ragas in this programme," said Mihiripenna in an interview with the Artscope.

In the Sangeeth Bhavana programme, Mihiripenna created many moods through music. At the beginning he used a Pali stanza to get away from raga (lust). It was sung by music Maestro Lakshmy Sangeetha who proved to be an excellent singer.

The chorus consisted of Mihiripenna's students from the Fine Arts Department, University of Kelaniya.

Outcome

"Sangeeth Bhavana was the outcome of four months rigorous training. Prof. Carlo Fonseka after listening to the meditational music told me that he was going to send me some patients! Pandith Amaradeva too agreed with him.

I'm happy to hear such encouraging comments from two eminent people in different fields of discipline. I also noted that people bought the CD, only after listening to Sangeeth Bhavana, " said Mihiripenna.

The success of Sangeeth Bhavana can be attributed to numerous experiments he carried out at the Sharada Kala Nikethanaya at Mudalige Mawatha, Colombo 1. Even at the experimental stage he found that the music would induce sleep and keep the mind at rest.

His next step is to try Sangeeth Bhavana on patients. Being a flutist of renown Mihiripenna has included some of his flute recitals in the programme. He says that is relevant to meditation. It is not classical music but a meditational flute music.

"Some people who listened to Sangeeth Bhavana and the CD have expressed a willingness to learn the art of playing the flute. In fact, anybody, irrespective his age, may come to Sharada Kala Nikethanaya and enrol as a student. Courses are held during the weekends.

Students have to learn the theory and the practice of their selected instruments. They can proceed up to the Visharad examination, said Mihiripenna.

Hive of activity

Sharada Kala Nikethanaya is a hive of activity during weekends. Not only children but also adults can be seen singing and learning to play various musical instruments.

The institute popularises Indian classical music and is supported by the Indian High Commission.

"My staff includes graduates and eminent musicians. As there is a heavy demand we are going to start Sangeeth Nipun classes shortly," he said.

Sarada Kala Nikethanaya was established in 1983 at Alliance Francaise de Colombo premises.

The late Indian High Commissioner J. N. Dixit paved the way for relocating the institute at the Old Chancery, Mudalige Mawatha, Colombo.

Today it conducts classes and popularises Indian Classical music, dance (Bharatha Natyam and Kathak) and Hindi language. Those who follow the Hindi language classes are prepared for examinations conducted by Dakshina Bharatheeya Hindi Prakash Institution.