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House of Lord’s hosts ‘music healing’ event

MPs, FAITH leaders and fans of Indi­an classical music attended a Music for Healing symposium at the House of Lords on May 21.

Conservative MP Bob Blackman, a co-chairman of the All Party Parlia­mentary Group (APPG) on Indian Tra­ditional Sciences, spoke about the healing powers of music and suggest­ed it be made available in hospitals.


There were performances by Katri­na Rute, a dancer trained in the Indi­an classical dance styles of Kathak, Bharatnatyam and Odissi; and Shrey­na Patnaik, who started learning clas­sical dance at the age of five in India and then continued at Bharatiya Vid­ya Bhavan in London.

Vocalist Vaishali Govilkar, who ob­tained her training in Uttar Hindu­stani classical music, spoke about the role of specific Ragas in India to treat certain health conditions.

Sugato Bhaduri, one of the most sought-after mandolin players in the world, also performed at the event.

Prof Peter Warburton, the head of the Maharishi Organisation in the UK, elaborated on the wisdom of Indian classical music for its “therapeutic” effect and the work of the APPG Indi­an Traditional Sciences.

Vibha Mehdiretta, the deputy di­rector at The Nehru Centre, London, paid tribute on behalf of the high commissioner of India, YK Sinha.

Lord Gadhia concluded the pro­gramme with presenting all artists with a sacred white garland.

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