{"id":12919,"date":"2012-12-01T20:54:19","date_gmt":"2012-12-02T01:54:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=12919"},"modified":"2012-12-01T21:17:47","modified_gmt":"2012-12-02T02:17:47","slug":"navaranjini-olegasegarem-well-known-singer-blessed-with-a-beautiful-voice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=12919","title":{"rendered":"Navaranjini Olegasegarem: Well Known Singer Blessed With a Beautiful Voice"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Shalomi Daniel<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Navaranjini Olegasegarem<\/p><\/div>\n

(The only Sri Lankan on the Australian Music Examiners Board in New South Wales, Navaranjini Olegasegarem, who was back home on a holiday, discusses how she has learnt to harmonise two passions in life, music and medicine)<\/em><\/p>\n

Five-year-old Navaranjini was too small to reach the piano keys and had to be carried up on to the piano stool. Today, Florence Navaranjini Olegasegarem keeps the Sri Lankan flag flying high on distant shores, as the only Sri Lankan on the Australian Music Examiners Board in New South Wales.
\n
\nNavaranjini who lives in Sydney, Australia and was on a visit to Sri Lanka recently, is in a nutshell, a \u2018music specialist\u2019. A qualified and eminent teacher in voice and piano, she also has a wealth of experience in the field to her credit.<\/p>\n

A well-known singer back home before she migrated to Australia, she now trains students for various competitions and examinations and conducts choral training as well in Australia.<\/p>\n

\u201cI train students for the \u2018Eisteddfods\u2019 music based competitions too,\u201d says Navaranjini, explaining that this was a concept that had its beginnings in Ireland and has now spread to other countries across the globe.<\/p>\n

Blessed with a beautiful voice, Navaranjini has thrilled classical music fans with her performances both in Colombo and in Sydney where she sang 14 operatic soprano lead roles. She has also been an accompanist to various musicians.<\/p>\n

This passion for music that began at a tender age continues to this day and Navaranjini has passed on the \u2018music genes\u2019 to the second and even third generations of her family, including her four-year-old grandson. Her daughter holds a Fellowship in singing and her son is a violinist. While three of her grandchildren are also learning to play the violin and the fourth the cello, they all learn piano and singing too under the guidance of their favourite teacher \u2013 their grandmother!<\/p>\n

\u201cMy husband Rex is our audience and is a constant source of encouragement,\u201d says Navaranjini, before adding with a grin \u201che is our critic too!\u201d<\/p>\n

However, Navaranjini did not always want to be a musician. There was a time when her career aspirations inclined towards the field of medicine. \u201cI wanted to be a doctor!\u201d she says with a smile.<\/p>\n

Today, Navaranjini has not given up her fascination for medicine, rather reconciling her passion for music and interest in medicine to be of service to society.<\/p>\n

She has learnt to use music as a means of reaching out to those with certain disabilities or suffering from ailments helping them to lead as far as possible a near normal life, by prescribing a medicine that she knows best \u2013 music therapy.<\/p>\n

She shares the story of a stroke patient whose ability to freely move her hands was severely restricted following the stroke. The process of learning how to play music gradually trained her fingers to move with ease and released the stiffness.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe can now play 20 different tunes!\u201d enthuses Navaranjini.\ufffdMusic therapy , the planned use of music which enhances the physical, sensory, emotional, social and psychological well being enhances the patient\u2019s quality of life.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is one medicine with absolutely no harmful side effects!\u201d smiles Navaranjini.\ufffdNavaranjini who completed a Postgraduate course on Music Therapy, is a Registered Music Therapist and a Neurological Music Therapist.<\/p>\n

Neurological music therapy is a medically recognized evidence based and researched therapy which is integrated with Evidence Based Medicine (EBM), which utilizes standardized treatment methodologies. The treatment techniques are based on scientific research and are directed by functional therapeutic goals.<\/p>\n

Navaranjini was able to gain much knowledge and exposure on the subject at a seminar held recently by Professor Michael Thaut from Colorado which is the main base for Neurological Music Therapy.<\/p>\n

Navaranjini conducts music therapy at the Sir Moses Montefiore Jewish Home for Aged Care and also works with those who are autistic, differently abled and with those who suffer acute difficulties.<\/p>\n

\u201cMusic stimulates them and the brain can be re-trained to carry out various functions,\u201d she says.\u201cHuman beings are born with music. When we are in the womb, we hear the rhythmic beating of the heart. As a result, a spontaneous response is detected in individuals when music therapy is done.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before music therapy is administered to an individual firstly a general assessment is carried out, followed by a re-assessment of the individual\u2019s needs, capabilities and preferences. Thereafter, a care plan is sketched in relation to their needs, goals and the necessary interventions. An evaluation on the effectiveness of the interventions is then carried out every three months.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe kind of music to be used is prescribed as per the need of the individual,\u201d explains Navaranjini, adding that music, which can calm and soothe the nerves, helps to instil coordination and the ability to move with intent and purpose in those suffering from stroke or Parkinson\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n

Navaranjini also spoke of how music therapy has helped those who are saddened by various incidents leading them to open up and share their stories, thus bringing about a closure to the unhappy memories.<\/p>\n

Therefore, song writing, sing-a-longs, instrumental playing and choir training are certain techniques employed in music therapy which increases self-esteem, socialisation, concentration span and self expression, to mention just a few advantages.<\/p>\n

\u201cMusic therapy can be shown as a science based therapy and is a wonderful tool to use in rehabilitation. Reliable results can be obtained,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

An ardent advocate of music therapy, she would like to see the concept gain more recognition in Sri Lanka. \u201cMore awareness should be raised on music therapy.\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

For Navaranjini personally, who simply loved \u2018being back home in Sri Lanka,\u2019 the enjoyable holiday was over too soon and she heads back to Sydney and the work she loves, as well as her \u201c own therapists\u201d \u2013 her grandchildren! courtesy: The Sunday Times<\/em><\/p>\n

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By Shalomi Daniel (The only Sri Lankan on the Australian Music Examiners Board in New South Wales, Navaranjini Olegasegarem, who was back home on a holiday, discusses how she has learnt to harmonise two passions in life, music and medicine) Five-year-old Navaranjini was too small to reach the piano keys and had to be carried …<\/p>\n

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