Rabindra Sangeet and Special Needs Individuals with Emphasis on their Problem Behaviours

Abstract

Music has,undeniably, a positive and conducive impact on the perturbed human mind. Using this very trait of this art form, the therapists all over the world treat their patients with music through music therapy. Rabindrasangeet, the songs written by Rabindranath Tagore (the poet laureate) mainly in Bengali and later translated in different languages of India and the world, is a very popular form of music among the Bengalis in the eastern part of India. It is often used to treat patients with mental disorders like Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) through the already established therapy called Rabindrik Psychotherapy. However, till date, there exists no such treatment to reduce the anxiety level and modify the problem behavioursof special needs individuals. The researchers conducted 3 case studies of three special needs individuals based in Kolkata and Mumbai, India. Owing to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, they carried out semi-structured telephonic interviews of the mothers (primary caregivers) of these individuals, a private music teacher, a special educator and two music teachers attached to a special school in Kolkata to investigate the impact of Rabindrasangeeton the problem behaviours of these challenged individuals. It was found out that the soothing tune of this genre does play a positive role in bringing down the anxiety level and problem behaviours like self-hitting, self-biting, aggression etc. These individuals experience a calming effect on their mind and a subtle joy while listening to Rabindrasangeet and exhibit socially acceptable behaviours.