The Wisdom Series: Music Therapist Rajam Shanker

The Wisdom Series by Silver Talkies is about stories of resilience and perseverance, mentoring and coaching, following a passion, and taking on an adventure. Here is the story of Silver Talkies club member and renowned music therapist Vidushi Rajam Shanker.

"Where was this Rajam yesterday?" asked her guru Brahmasri Kollegal R Subramanyam in one of their classes in 1997. Rajam had spent the last 24 hours practising to make up for her mistake in the previous day's class. Impressed, her guru continued, "A big turning point is coming in your life. Be prepared for it". That turning point of Rajam branching into music therapy using Carnatic music would come from her guru, who recognised her ability to heal through music. She completed her Masters in Carnatic Classical Music with distinction from Akhil Bhartiya Gandharva Maha Vidyalaya. During this time, her guru saw Rajam's potential to become a music instructor and encouraged her to develop it further. As Rajam started teaching music, she realised that each raga has a distinct quality touching different parts of the body and evoking specific emotions. It began a journey of healing through music.

Music has been Rajam Shanker's life. She started learning Carnatic music in early childhood. In school, she loved the sciences and dreamt of becoming a doctor. She excelled academically but couldn't join medical college due to political agitation in Hyderabad during the late 1960s.

When Rajam took up Carnatic music again at 28, she was married, and relatives discouraged her, asking her to focus on the family and children. Her only supporter was Shanker, her husband. "I am there. You do what you want. I am there to answer people. Nothing and no one will stop you", he told her. Rajam could not practice music vocals at home due to family disapproval. So once he was back from work, Shanker started taking Rajam for a drive daily to a secluded place where he kept himself busy reading a book under the road lights while Rajam practised her vocals in the car.

Most of Rajam's knowledge of music therapy has been self-taught. However, students and attendees at her workshops and conferences suggested to her to write a book to encapsulate her understanding of Indian classical music. So, with the help of former student Deepa Krishnamurthy, who edited and compiled the book, Rajam wrote 'The Healing Power of Indian Ragas' published in 2019.

Dr Shambhavi Das, a music therapist in Gurugram, says, "Rajam made me think and introspect. She is a great learner and not only a knowledge-giver but a knowledge-seeker herself."

Famed Carnatic vocalist Rajani Shridhar has been a student of Rajam Shanker since 2012. She calls her Mai. "My student journey with Mai started with a week's stay living with her in Hyderabad. I use the learnings from Mai regarding the therapeutic aspects of music while tutoring my students. I admire Mai most for not getting angry. She has a knack for putting things nicely while communicating what she wishes. That is something I relate to and hope to imbibe from her".

The most significant learning from Rajam's life is how she emerged more robust from a terrible bout of health. In 2017, Rajam went through a bad health phase. She became heavily dependent on insulin, taking extra pills and tablets to control her diabetes. As a result, she had gained a lot of weight, severely restricting her movement and mobility. The following year, Rajam, then 65, decided to make drastic changes. She hired a dietician and strictly followed her advice. By September 2019, she had lost nearly 20 kgs. She still felt weak and wished to stay isolated, but determination and willpower slowly got her out of it.

Rajam regained weight, made lifestyle changes, practised the tenets of ageing actively and became stronger. Today Rajam Shanker is back. She has regained her dynamic energy level, does Yoga thrice a week for 90 minutes each, and is back to tutoring, coaching, and mentoring students. She is also attending podcasts, holding workshops, speaking at domestic and international conferences, and enjoying life. 

The wisdom from her life? Never give up on your passion & never stop seeking knowledge.