A musical path to being reformed

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Cooking, plumbing and other skills are taught to the prisoners to make their time in jail productive and engaging. Many prisons also have libraries. However, the special sub-jail at Kunjalammodu has gone a step ahead and is planning to begin a music training and therapy programme for its inmates.  The programme has a dual purpose. It not only aims at equipping the inmate to secure a job but also provides them mental respite. The training sessions will see songs by composer late G Devarajan being taught to the inmates.  

According to K Somarajan, Superintendent of the prison, the new initiative will surely bring a positive change in the inmates and it will also work towards reducing their emotional problems.
“Many inmates here suffer from emotional upheavals. Though there is a system in place to keep them engaged, initiating them into the world of music will work wonders. It is like a balm and will help the inmates overcome negative emotions like depression, frustration, anger and sadness. It helps reduce the stress one gets bogged under while spending a long time within the four walls of a prison. Music also has the power to change a person. So this initiative, which will be a daily exercise,  will work towards instilling positive energy in the inmates,” Somarajan said.

According to him, Devarajan master’s music pure magic and it is because of this uniqueness his songs were chosen for the programme. “Devarajan-Vayalar Rama Varma combo had made wonderful and meaningful songs. Also, we wanted to teach the inmates the technical aspects of the songs including ‘raaga’, ‘taala’ and its ‘arohanam’ and ‘avarohanam’,” Somarajan said.
Recently, a Devarajan master musical night was held at the prison. The positive behavioural changes seen in some of the prisoners after the programme made the jail authorities to chose his songs for the music training and therapy programme.  

Tourism, Co-Operation and Devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran will inaugurate the training session and music therapy organised by G Devarajan Smrithigadha music forum on Monday. Kavalam Sreekumar will hold a concert and give lessons on the day one. The special sub-jail at Kunjalammoodu was opened in 2010. Today, the prison houses around 250 prisoners. Majority of the inmates being held here are those who are being held on remand.