SRIRAM RAVISHANKAR
pioneers of the work, often inspired by ancient practises of
vibrational/ sonic healing have forged a new ground and
also formed international networks like the Sound Healers
Association. It is possible now in the markedly emerging and
growing field also to study in courses in England, Germany,
USA and also now in India (see the one year training for
Integral Sound Healing offered by Svaram) the scientific,
pragmatic background andpossible application of this revived
healing modality. While MT in its culture specific modalities
is focused on the Client – Patient relational context and
its psychotherapeutic implications, both in receptive and
interactive settings. Sound Healing is based on the principles
of resonance and entrainment through the directapplication,
transmission and the effect of vibrations (in their sonic
expression oftone, tempo and pattern) on the organism, either
through the use of specially resonant instruments like gongs,
singing bowls, bells, string resonators, didgeridoos, or also
through electro-mechanical and electronical devises in the
field of vibrio-acoustics and hemi-synch, binaural brain wave
stimulations, with a plethora of new products on the market.
More on the traditions and modernity at Svaram.
Having been exposed to many traditional cultures and their
music ethnographies Aurelio looked into the diversity
and richness of Indian folk instruments, many ofthem
disappearing in this rapid race of change and urbanisation,
before setting outdeveloping some of the simple archetypal
instruments of the Svaram range, likeLithopones,
Xylophones, Glockenspiel, Ocarinas, Overtone Flute and
primal percussions. These explorations also revealed that
the western equal temperedtuning system of the piano
has been found only a few hundred years ago and andthe
international pitch of A 440 only been standardised after the
second world war, is only one of many possibilities of tonal
arrangements and that there have been original systems
in place for millennia in India, China, Arabic Music and
other cultures like the unique Gamelan of South East Asia.
At the same time contact with a young generation of sound
pilgrims and travellers from around the globe brought
exposure to the sophisticated use of the knowledge ofthe
full range of frequencies in techno, trance and dance hall
genres to createspecial physical effects on the listener. So
experiences of the ancient shamanistic trance techniques in
combination with the science of psychoacoustics, binaural
beats , entrainment, resonance inform the ever evolving work
of Svaram's explorations of sound and its physical, emotional,
cognitive, social andenvironmental impact.
Tell us a little about the research and explorations you
are currently into.
Presently we are exploring and prototyping outdoor
instruments for the use in institutions working with the
limitations and challenges of climate and environmental
impact on material and finishings. An exciting area is the
work with mathematically precise tuning modalities and
the phenomena of pulsations and their effect on brainwaves
and physicality. This is a whole new field partly inspired by
avant-garde music and touches the edge of musicality, now
not only in the electronic media but possibly also with pure
acoustic instruments like plate bells, resonators, tubular
bells bringing out the synaestetic phenomena of 'the touch of
sound”, the sensory perception and experience of soundwaves
on our organism The recently launched training program
SVARAM launched in January, the first one year course on
Integral Sound Healing with a seminar and International
guest lecturer by Joshua Leeds, the author of “ThePower of
Sound”. There were 35 participants form around the world
and we arefollowing up now with the next modules focusing
on creativity, musical improvisation, sound awareness,
science of hearing, therapeutic contact, instrument building,
cymatics, and the applications of sound in a healing context
What's next for Svaram?
SVARAM has been running for 14 years now, emerging form a
social impact community enterprise, and now is working on
and planning the creation of a Campus for the Crafts, Arts and
Science of Sound which shall bring together the artisan fine
crafts with educational interactive exhibitions, experience
museum, research centre, studios, ateliers and a school for
Sound Healing. Land has been allocated within the Auroville
Galaxy plan and collaborations, partners and investors are
sought for this next logical development phase of bringing
Svaram in its full scope and global relevance as a unique hub
for the explorations of a sound new world of harmony and
peace.
The
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