Music: The melody of life and safe motherhood
Mother’s Day! It’s that day of year again, when we celebrate motherhood and a mother’s bond with her children. In addition to Mother’s Day, which falls on the second Sunday in May every year, India celebrates Safe Motherhood Day on April 11 every year.
While Mother’s Day is celebrated across the globe, the date for Safe Motherhood Day was chosen to mark the birth anniversary of Kasturba Gandhi, the wife of Mahatma Gandhi, because of her role in India’s freedom movement and because she is a symbol of women’s empowerment.
India has a rich repertoire of traditional and folk songs that not only celebrate motherhood but also the journey to motherhood. Recognising its positive impact, music can also be used beyond traditional ceremonies to ensure safe motherhood.
Music for prenatal bonding
Music has the power to evoke strong emotions and foster connections. Listening to music together with the unborn baby or singing cradle songs strengthen the bond between mother and child, promoting feelings of closeness and attachment.
India has a rich repertoire of traditional practices that not only celebrate motherhood but also the journey to motherhood. (Photo from Shuttterstock)
In this modern world, baby showers have become a prominent ceremonial event. The purpose of a baby shower is to show emotional support for the mom. This traditional version of this ceremony in India is known as godh bharai in north India, valaikappu and seemandham in Tamil Nadu, seemantha in Karnataka and pellikuturu in Andhra Pradesh. It is celebrated as shaad in Bengal, srimantham in Rajasthan and seemandham in Maharashtra. In all these similar ceremonies, music is an integral part. Many popular folk and traditional songs in different dialects are sung at these occasions.
Jagar, a traditional folk ceremony of Uttarakhand, is performed to bless the expectant mother and pray for a safe delivery. The melodies and rhythmic beats create a solemn and uplifting atmosphere.
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In their paper, researchers Tanvi Kashyap and Anuradha Sharma have mentioned that prenatal music intervention has been proven to be beneficial and effective in reducing anxiety in full-term pregnant women. Other studies have indicated that listening to music in the third trimester of pregnancy can reduce the risk of postnatal depression.
Music to soothe expectant mothers
The hospital environment is sterile and intimidating, which may increase feelings of discomfort and apprehension in expectant mothers. Incorporating music into the birthing environment by playing soft melodies or nature sounds can create a more soothing atmosphere, promoting relaxation and comfort.
Music has been shown to have analgesic effects. The use of music in pain control is called music-induced analgesia or audio-analgesia. It is said to help reduce the perception of pain. Using music during labour is believed to help reduce the perception of pain through a concept called “the gate control theory of pain” which says that by using music as a stimulus, the body perceives other stimuli, including pain, less.
Communities’ importance to music
Among tribal communities, drumming is a common element of tribal music and ceremonies, and it is often used during childbirth rituals. The rhythmic beat of drums creates a calming and meditative atmosphere, helping the mother in managing pain and maintaining focus during labour.