Music therapy makes prison inmates sing a new tune in life

In a bid to chase away the blues and spread positivity, around 250 inmates of special sub jail at Kunjalammodu, Thiruvananthapuram, got a chance this week to be initiated into the world of music through the melodies of late composer G Devarajan.
A music therapy programme, organised by the prison officials along with G Devarajan Smrithigadha music forum on Monday, provided a platform for prisoners in custody and awaiting or undergoing trial to learn a new skill.
On the focus of the pilot project by the jail officials, prisons DIG B Pradeep says, “Majority of the inmates are stressed and depressed. We have tried to ease that with activities such as farming. The music therapy sessions are a practice to make them artistic too. We choose Devarajan master’s songs as they touch the soul and also have meaningful lyrics.”
The music gala was also a time for relaxation for the convicts, with musician Kavalam Sreekumar interacting with them through musical games and discussions on songs.
Sreekumar says, “It was a unique experience for me to conduct the session for the prisoners. There are a few amazing singers and they are an enthusiastic bunch. I made them sing Aalayal Tara Venam along with me.” He stresses on making such sessions a part of their daily routine. “This way we could make them patient and good human beings for their rest of lives,” he says.
The event seems to have worked its magic on the prisoners, says jail superintendent K Somarajan. “It did bring smiles on their faces. Some were overjoyed to hold a microphone for the first time in their lives and sing.
Others said that listening to the meaningful lines boosted their mental strength,” he says. “Many inmates are strangers to each other and yet I was surprised by the support they gave to those who performed on stage. Music has the power to heal, bond people and spread joy.”
While it’s first time the jail officials are holding an event, they have been organising sessions in prison for those interested.
“I am an MSW holder, so I first gave a counselling session to the officials on handling rough behaviour of inmates,” says Somarajan. “Music has the power to change behaviour of a person and it has been elemental in our prison as the the officials’ attitude towards the inmates changed. They become friendly and are relaxed at their jobs too. That’s when we decided to hold music classes for interested inmates with the support of karaoke or our orchestra.”
The music sessions have helped find new talents. For instance, Rajesh, who is serving a life sentence for murder, came out with a song that was uploaded on YouTube recently. “Rajesh was an illiterate. We taught him to read and write Malayalam, and that’s how he penned down a poem titled Thadavarayil Ninnu. Later, it was given music with Pandalam Balan singing the track. So, the sessions helped him see an artistic side of his life and also inspire others,” says Somarajan.
Meanwhile, the jail officials too got a chance to perform on stage at the event. “To educate the inmates about technicalities of music, we explained the ragas, talams and different genres of music after rendering particular songs,” he says, adding tracks such as Keralam Keralam, Parijatham, Chandrakalabham and Ullasapoothirikal kannilaninjavale were some of the tracks they sang.
Taking heart from the success of the event, B Pradeep says that the music sessions will be a monthly affair in almost all prisons, going forward. “This was a start and we are planning to spread it to other jails including women’s cell as it would mark a behavioural change in the inmates,” he says.