Staff members at Kidwai say music betters the mental well-being of the patients. Geeta Bharathi Bhat, an actress by profession and a volunteer, says, “Coming here, I have realised that my problems are nothing compared to those of the patients. Volunteers say that they enjoy performing and spending time with the patients. Ashwin wanted to take music as a therapy for cancer patients across India as well, and his family and friends started AMF to make this vision a reality. While undergoing treatment in San Diego, he had signed up for music therapy sessions and it helped alleviate his pain, improve sleep and reduce nausea and mood swings. Ashwin was 23 at the time and was studying law at Jindal Global University. This was brought to Kidwai by the Ashwin Maharaj Foundation (AMF).Įstablished in December 2015, this foundation was started by Dr D Ramasubramanian, an anaesthesiologist, and his wife, R Manomani, in memory of their son R Ashwin Maharaj who they lost to Acute Myeloid Leukemia in October 2015.
Research shows that it helps reduce stress, anxiety, pain and mood swings. Music therapy is being adopted across the world to help cancer patients. Some of them request volunteers to play their favourite songs.” “They clap, laugh and sing along with the musicians. “The children love Kannada film songs while the adults prefer folk songs,” according to Usha Hariharan, the Bengaluru co-ordinator of the programme. Only soft, soothing songs are played and volunteers refrain from using percussion instruments. They are attended regularly by 20 to 30 children and about 50 adult patients, who look forward to spending time with the musicians.