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Music: The Journey from Neural Entertainment to Therapy

Shashivadhanan Sundaravadhanan

Music has been intricately linked to humanity since times immemorial. Initially believed to be a pleasurable activity, there has been a paradigm shift in understanding of this mysterious entity. During ancient times music was thought to enhance ones physical, mental, spiritual and social health. This applied also to unborn child as is evident in the garbhasanskaras from ancient Indian texts. Last decade has witnessed fierce research in providing objective validation of this age old myth. Researchers have concluded that in addition to providing neural entertainment, music also has restorative and healing powers. So impressive are the results that a new branch of therapeutics has emerged called Neurologic Music Therapy. Reviewing the current body of evidence, an attempt has been made to get to the origin of music and trace its evolution and entry into therapeutics from the perspective of Neurosciences. In spite of scientifically tempered enthusiasm and technological back up there are many questions which remain unanswered. The Indian Music Industry which is currently worth 10 Billion Rupees is set to double its revenues by 2019. Why “The Gangham style” from Korea or the “Kolaveri di” from India goes on to have millions of “likes” worldwide, remains a mystery. Precise localization of the neural substrate of music at anatomical, physiological and molecular level still remains unclear. Neuroscience seems to be poised to unravel the mystery of music. Only time will tell whether sound will become music or vice versa.