Music Therapy in India: An Interview with Dr. Sumathy Sundar

As a music therapy intern, I have spent a lot of time on self-growth, reflection, and discovery. During this time period, I have synthesized loads of information regarding medical music therapy research and clinical practice. Thankfully, I was able to step back from this microcosm and take time to interview Dr. Sumathy Sundar. Previously, I had minimal knowledge of India in general, but through email exchanges and a Skype interview, I was able to paint a vivid picture of music and medicine in Southern India. Dr. Sundar is a captivating educator and speaker that has faced many challenges with introducing music therapy as an allied healthcare profession in India. She has certainly risen above those challenges to create an environment of success on international standards. Her passion for educating was evident in this interview, and she seems to be always willing to give an open ear. I have synthesized our conversation via Skype into the following interview. On October 10, 2013, she opened my window to the world of music therapy in India. I hope this provides a glimpse of the magnificent work and delightful personality of Dr. Sumathy Sundar.Chris: I am so glad to have this opportunity to learn from you! Can you speak about your training in music therapy and other educational experiences?Dr. Sundar: My educational background consists of a master’s degree in Carnatic music. This is a classical music style of the southeast part of India. I also have a master’s degree in applied psychology with a specialization in clinical psychology and a Ph.D. in cancer care. My research was under medical professionals where I learned to think objectively. This has impacted how I think about music therapy techniques and search for the most effective practices. My music therapy education is informal and has mostly been self-taught through reading many textbooks, attending international conferences, and staying connected with professionals around the world. I relied heavily on technology and have always been exceptionally savvy with current technological trends. At a time when these forms of communication were still gaining popularity, I was using the Internet, Skype, and other telecommunication to learn about music therapy. I paired this knowledge with my strong musical and psychological background to implement music therapy techniques in my work and research.Chris: Music is a large part of the culture in my region of the United States [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent="yes" overflow="visible"][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" background_position="left top" background_color="" border_size="" border_color="" border_style="solid" spacing="yes" background_image="" background_repeat="no-repeat" padding="" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="no" center_content="no" min_height="none"][Kentucky] and plays a significant role in how patients respond to music. What cultural considerations must you navigate in your area of India?Dr. Sundar: The cultural considerations regarding music therapy in India are extensive. There are hundreds and hundreds of confounding variables when considering the appropriate techniques and interventions to use. According to the 1961 census, there are 1,652 languages within India, and every 400-500 kilometers you travel, there are different dialects. There is one official national language known as Hindi, but there are many official regional languages within the country. These multicultural aspects present a barrier with providing music therapy care. You know communication is very important in music therapy even though music can be a form of non-verbal communication. The interpersonal process of therapy requires verbal communication, and this is integral to create the dynamic change. There are many other aspects to consider past the language barrier, including the rich healing traditions, the many genres and styles of presents a barrier with providing music therapy care. You know communication is very important in music therapy even though music can be a form of non-verbal communication. The interpersonal process of therapy requires verbal communication, and this is integral to create the dynamic change. There are many other aspects to consider past the language barrier, including the rich healing traditions, the many genres and styles of music including folk genres, the wide religious and spiritual spectrum, philosophical orientations, and much more. All of this, including a language barrier, can prove most challenging for aspiring music therapists in India. They must acquire a large set of skills to be very culturally aware and sensitive. This is integral to success both here and anywhere, really. Even in my region, in South India, it is difficult for me to practice even though I can use music as a non-verbal medium and techniques. You must be able to speak their language to be effective. This makes it hard to practice across the country without specialization in their regional culture and practices. You cannot easily compartmentalize cultures, which makes practice difficult but adds to what makes India’s diversity so beautiful.Chris: I read that you researched cancer care and music therapy. Can you describe typical sessions, interventions, goal areas, and other information regarding to music therapy with this population in India?Dr. Sundar: As I mentioned before, I learned from medical professionals how to think objectively and all of my research has been quantitative in nature. The area of cancer care in India is rather complicated considering aforementioned variables that must be navigated to get to the cultural self of the client. One of my areas of study focuses on objectifying musical healing traditions to inform clinical decision making in Indian culture. Music therapy is currently a practice-based application in India, and the aim is to integrate these healing traditions alongside techniques. Is music therapy not dynamic change? The dynamic aspects of therapy can work alongside the static history of healing. Psychological, philosophical, and spiritual well-being are commonly discussed in Indian culture, and some traditions date back thousands of years. The idea of healing encompasses quality of life, including a balance of mind-body-and soul, but mostly deals with the subjective. These ancient traditions of dance, music, and prayer are so linked to healing that they must be objectified through quantitative measurements to inform best culturally sensitive evidence-based practice. You can’t take away something from the soul, like an archetype, that has been unquestioned for thousands of years and expect to see success. Music therapy utilizes many far-reaching approaches to most effectively meet the needs of clients. Currently there is no prescribed approach or model, but after much research is done, a spiritually and culturally sensitive model may prove very effective in India. Much growth is to be done in practice and research until that time will come.Chris: How do religious/cultural differences impact your treatment plan? Also, have you noticed different subcultures responding differently to music therapy?Dr. Sundar: Many different religions, spiritualities, and philosophical orientations are present and coexist in India. Primarily these include Hinduism, Christianity, Buddhism, and Islam, but just like the many dialects and cultural diversity, there are many religions and regional practices. Each religion has it’s own traditions related to music and the therapist must know the differences to treat the patient effectively. The classical music styles are used as prayers so that individuals can bring themselves closer to their god. Certainly the subcultures respond differently to music, but with the diversity and cultural differences so large, there are many other factors that also must be considered.Chris: The Chennai School advocates the use of consultancy in music therapy. In what ways have you provided consultancy services in your area?Dr. Sundar: In advocating for music therapy as an allied healthcare profession, I have just joined Mahatma Gandhi Medical College & Research Institute, Pondicherry as a consultant. As a consultant, I will set up music therapy treatment protocols for different areas of the hospital and will train health care professionals on music therapy integration. On a macro level, medical personnel is interested in being self-reliant to integrate music in medicine services on suitable professional training and not as interested in the title of music therapy. They are, in turn, able to advocate for music therapy in the country. They are not licensed as music therapists and understand they can use terminology related to “integrating music in medicine techniques.” This unique partnership aims to increase awareness of the Chennai School’s mission to introduce music therapy as an allied healthcare profession. This practice will differentiate music as a scientific profession from a healing tradition through the medical ambassadors.Chris: The Chennai School’s mission statement includes a lot of opportunities for education in both close and extended communities. What have been the most effective ways that you introduced music therapy as an allied health care profession in India?Dr. Sundar: The Chennai School of Music Therapy is a private institution. Students establish connections with medical hospitals/universities where they complete their internships. These partnerships give students the opportunities to test their techniques and integrate the healing traditions while working alongside medical professionals. Their research and projects inform clinical practice in India and advocate for our profession and students. The students and hospitals benefit from the students’ learning and research. This, paired with the new consultancy partnership, is growing the acceptance of music therapy as an allied health care profession in India. Currently, the Chennai School offers a one-year program. The first semester is full of classroom sessions, and the second semester includes an internship. This platform allows collaboration with medical hospitals/universities on an international standard. Eventually, I would like the program to grow into a traditional four-year program, but for introducing this profession and program, I decided one-year was the best course of action. Music therapy is still in its infancy in India, and the toddler must first learn to walk before we can run! I can very proudly say that there are no other programs like this, and I couldn’t do it without the international resources that support us. We want to incorporate the best practices from around the world in an indigenous program. That is not to say that we haven’t had challenges. They’ve been many, and that is a completely different conversation, but we have persevered, and we believe in our mission and vision. There have been a lot of slips between the cup to the lip, but we are very sure that we will get to take a drink! If it is a problem with range of motion, we will work on it! If it is a problem emotionally, we will work on it! If it is a problem physiologically, we will work with a therapist to do it, but we will get the cup to the lip!Chris: If someone trained in the United States desired to work in your area of Southern India what skills would they need to acquire to be effective?Dr. Sundar: The most important would be to go and see Southern India for yourself, and I welcome international students to attach to the Chennai School of Music Therapy. Students will use pre-existing collaborations with medical hospitals to learn the culture, healing practices, and philosophical orientations. They will be able to observe how the Chennai School operates and to spend time learning the intricacies of the Indian cultures. For a student to be truly successful, they would need to take their prior knowledge and submerge themselves in the Indian culture.Learning the sensitivities is key! Chennai School of Music Therapy believes that the students have to be sensitized to clients apart from the educator’s need to be sensitized to the students in music therapy training and practiceChris: As a student that is interested in global perspective of music therapy, what suggestions do you have for ways to learn about other cultures and their treatment styles?Dr. Sundar: Find ways to fund your interest and studies. Utilize scholarships and other resources to allow you more freedom! These opportunities can allow you to visit India, or other cultures, and utilize the World Federation of Music Therapy as a resource. These international resources are the same ones that helped me develop my music therapy skills. Students must be encouraged to travel abroad if they wish to understand the cultural context! The wonderful thing about music therapy is that it looks different everywhere but is achieving the same means. Other fields do not have the ability to be so adaptable. An ophthalmologist in India learns the same thing as an ophthalmologist in the U.S., and the same with bankers or management styles! This is why culture is so important to where we practice. It plays such a large role in what we do, and to truly understand another culture, you must see it for yourself.Chris: There is no doubt in my mind that Dr. Sundar and the Chennai School will continue to take the cup to their lip and take the drinks they deserve. She is a wonderful educator to learn from, and I would like to thank her personally for the time she spent with me.

About the Interviewee

Dr. Sumathy Sundar is the director of the Chennai School of Music Therapy in India. Aside from her work associated with the school, Dr. Sundar is music therapy consultant with Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Pondicherry, serves as the South East Asia regional representative for the World Federation of Music Therapy (WFMT), the editorial board for the Journal of Music and Medicine, and is the current Chair of Global Resources Reporting Committee of the International Association of Music and Medicine (IAMM).Chris Millett, Music Therapy Student, University of Louisville, USAMusic Therapy Intern, University of Kentucky HealthCare, Kentucky, USANote: This interview series was part of the University of Louisville’s Internship seminar under the instruction of Dr. Petra Kern.[fusion_separator top="40" style="dotted"/]

Window to the World

Did traveling, studying, or working abroad change you? Do you have a meaningful music therapy experience from your home country or culture?Share your story by sending us:

1. A narrative (maximum 300 words) about your music therapy related experiences abroad including pictures (jpeg), sound (mp3), or video (mp4) files.
2. Download and sign the WFMT multimedia license form.
3. Send the above to Jen Spivey at assistant@wfmt.info

[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]