Kerala - Kozhikode   

Polishing voice for professional use

Maleeha Raghaviah

Kozhikode: Voice reveals the established identity of a person the way his or her thumb impression does.

Now, Kozhikode has a forum of professional voice users, such as singers, actors, teachers, political leaders and Kathaprasangam artistes, for whom correct voice modulation is an invaluable asset. The Voice Society has been set up as part of the voice clinic of the ENT Institute at the Malabar Institute of Medical Sciences.

A. Ravi, head of ENT Institute, has been involved in organising the society. V.T. Murali, singer, is the vice-president of the society. Shahabas Haman and Mohammed Shakeel, Ghazal singers, are among the members. Kaithaprom Damodaran Namboodiri and O.N.V. Kurup, lyricists, and the former Minister M.K. Muneer are patrons.

Dr. Ravi, who had his training at the Institute of Music Medicine at Friedberg, Germany, says professional voice users, including opera singers in Austria and Germany, are part of the voice societies there, and these are of immense help to them in using their voice to advantage.

The society is based on the European concept of phoniatrics, study of voice and its disorders. The societies abroad comprise professional voice users and ENT doctors trained in voice pathology.

Members of the society meet occasionally and discuss with experts the expectations of each of them. The get-togethers usually end with enjoyable musical programmes. The idea is voice improvement.

The techniques suggested include breathing techniques, postures, voice conservation and avoiding of voice abuse, such as shouting and screaming.

Kaithaprom says the society is a solution to scientifically overcome any problem professional voice users face.

He cites cases when even noted singers hum "srutis" not suited to their natural voice. The professional advice provided through the society will help to avoid the abuse. In Europe, voice training and cultivation are provided through church music sessions, when training is carried out in a scientific manner.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

`Most civic problems tackled'
Polishing voice for professional use
Project to develop coconut planned
Plan to boost agriculture
Ghani award announced
A lifetime experience for them
IIM-K looking for trainees
Meet on bird sanctuary

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu