Sound on

Kamakshi and Vishala Khurana use sound instruments, which are designed to be struck with a baton or tapped with the hands directly. The sustained notes are used to promote relaxation

Last year, when the world was under lockdown, a video of the people of Siena, Italy, singing Viva la nostra Siena (hooray for our Siena) from their windows, went viral. The rousing verse highlighted the power of music as a source of comfort during crisis. Soon, in country after country, people responded by taking to their balconies to sing to one another.

Nepean Sea Road residents Kamakshi and Vishala Khurana, co-founders of The Sound Space, believe in the boundless power of music. The sisters, who are trained in psychology and Indian classical music, launched the startup in 2010, and have been designing specialised sound sessions for children and adults. Sound therapy is an alternative healing practice that relies on the belief that sound can harness emotions. They say, with the Coronavirus outbreak, their work has found new relevance. "What we realised after speaking with medical professionals was that apart from the physiological issues, patients were also experiencing acute anxiety and sleeplessness. We decided to use sound to help heal," says Kamakshi. Breathing is one of the areas that the sessions focus on. Taking long breaths synchronised with certain notes is known to help regain breathing capacity. The sound bowl, a type of bell that vibrates and produces a rich, deep tone, is used to induce calmness. "We even started using different ragas. For instance, raga Durga is one of energy and power. We also turn to a series of Beej mantras; chanting is known to have healing powers."

Kelly Wallers

During the pandemic, the sessions are being conducted solo, each tailored to specific needs. "The virus has been operating in a way where it preys on an individual's weakest spot. For instance, if somebody is suffering from throat ache, we focus on the throat chakra," says Vishala.

Interestingly, this field of thought is now receiving clinical attention and funding. Babar A Khan, MD, assistant professor of medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, for example, is using a sound health grant to test music intervention with patients who have delirium, including those with COVID-19.

Darryl Loyola

City-based musician Kelly Waller has long been curious about sound therapy, but it's only when she was diagnosed with COVID-19 that she decided to sign up for a class. "Though I was ill, I went through the motions of my symptoms fairly quickly. This infection is characterised by manifesting as different symptoms in different people. You never know what to expect. The sound therapy session was designed to help us find peace - the mind is what makes the body stronger." Waller's class involved listening to sounds at different frequencies.

Kamakshi says she has noticed overriding worry among their patients. Mumbai-based Darryl Loyola is a kindergarten teacher. After testing positive for the virus this year, Loyola says his anxiety levels hit the roof. "I deal with it [stress] on a daily basis because of my job, but the disease triggered it to a new level." Loyola says the sessions have allowed him to introspect and form a new relationship with music and sound. "I have definitely been able to relax more and calm myself."

Kamakshi says the efficacy of the therapy also hinges on the receiver. "They have to be driven. And this becomes all the more important in virtual sessions. When you're in my environment, I'm in a position to control the distractions, but when you are in your own set-up, you need to make sure that it's conducive to receive the healing."