Dr Phanishree –
Scriptures such as the ‘Nada Bindu Upanishad’ and ancient Indian texts on Music like ‘Natyashastra (Bharata),’ ‘Sangeeta Ratnakara (Shanrangya Deva)’ and great musicians of the present times like Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji, working for decades on the therapeutic abilities of Music, have described the musical abilities and musical experiences as a process ‘Nada Yoga.’
Ganapathy Sachchidanada Swamiji uses a combination of the Indian Ragas based on their aesthetic appeal, self-composed lyrics (with resonating seed letters like Om, Aim, Hreem, Sreem), ‘Jyotisha Shastra’ (astrological calculations), ‘Mani Shastra’ (healing energy of crystals and gems) for selection of appropriate music frequencies during live music therapy sessions and in studio recordings.
He also uses bonsai trees relevant to the musical scale, and specific bird-related to the Raga, along with self-improvised combination of various natural and instrumental sounds (sampled on ‘His Datta Veena,’ the synthesiser).
Great Lineage
Born in the lineage of the great Venkatamakhi, the musicologist who popularised the ‘72 Melakartha System’ (parent scales) of Carnatic Music, Swamiji is a prolific, versatile and multilingual composer.
His proficiency is explicitly demonstrated in more than 500 varied compositions ranging from simple ‘Namasankeertana Bhajans’ to profound secrets of ‘Vedanta’ accounting for simple four to eight liner couplets to elaborate descriptive and contemplative songs.
Swamiji has employed all avenues in attempting to explore the mystery of therapeutic sounds hidden in the inanimate as well as the animate.
Integration of Nature
He said that the mountains, the waterfalls, the oceans, the five elements as well as the flora and the fauna, in fact, everything around us is full of Nada – ‘Nada Moolam Idam Jagat’ (The entire universe is full of Nada).
His Kishkindha Moolika Bonsai Garden hosts nearly 800 species of Bonsai plants (www.sgsbonsai.org) and Shukavana Avery (www.sgsbirds.com) hosts nearly 400 species of birds.
These are testimony to his experiments in analysing with different musical sounds emerging from the flora and fauna and studying the influence of various sounds on their behaviour.
The Casurina trees at the entrance of the Garden were brought in a near-dead state. They were rejuvenated with his raga Malayamaaruta.
Fruition and growth in some of the trees has been shown to be influenced by ragas. Some of the trees are named after their respective ragas.
More than 200 recorded music albums of Sri Swamiji have been released by the Ashram; his hundreds of live music concerts all over the world have attracted and influenced the novice and music scholars.
Millions of transoceanic admirers and listeners of his music exemplify his versatility.
Dr Phanishree PV is a Doctor of Medicine (MD) practicing as a Paediatrician in Mysore, Karnataka. He also has a Diploma in Hindustani Flute.
Ganapathy Sachchidanada Swamiji will present a Meditation and Healing Music Concert at 6 pm at Dorothy Winston Centre, Auckland Girls Grammar School on Saturday, February 4, 2017.
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Photo Caption:
Ganapathy Sachchidanada Swamiji
