Correspondent
KOHIMA, SEPTEMBER 25
A three-day training of trainers on Music and Art Therapy organized by Enable and Awakening Bells Centre (ABC) got underway here at The Heritage, Kohima today.
State Chief Secretary, Banuo Z Jamir, who graced the inaugural function of the training as the chief guest, said incorporating music and art therapy in the educational system, particularly for children with special needs, is a novel concept. Stating that Nagas are naturally very talented in music and arts, she expressed enthusiasm that the training will hone and enhance the skills of educators and the introduction of music and art therapy will go a long way in making a difference, not just to persons with special needs but to the society as a whole. Jamir also lauded the efforts of the two organizations- Enable and ABC- for sensitizing the Naga society and its responses towards children with special needs and for venturing forward to put together this training.
“It requires people who feel, to initiate such awakening steps….people who are willing to take opportunities with courage, and we need more people like you in our society,” Jamir said.
Jerusalem based music therapist, Tsvia Horesh, who will be a resource person at the training, stated that music is connected to “all our bodily functions” and this connection will be taken into account during the workshop and participants will be guided on how to use music with children with special needs to express themselves better.
Expressing appreciation over the establishment of Music Task Force in Nagaland, she said she is happy and excited to see a government, which believes that music, is important and how music is connected to the culture, the church and the community in the state.
Another resource person, Elana Lakh, an art therapist and a Jungian psychotherapist who is also from Israel, shared about her work in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict areas using music and art therapy for emotional healing.
She said while every child has special needs and every culture has its own ideas of child development, music and art therapy emphasizes on the individuality of each child. She also pointed out that children are greatly influenced by sounds, movements and interactions around them and explained the need to identify each child’s uniqueness through music and art. These therapies are not meant only for children or children with special needs, but also prove to be useful for adults as an emotional treatment, she said.
During the three-day training programme, participants will be enlightened on the importance of play in child development, trauma & trauma healing by using the means of music and art therapies etc. and implementation of the knowledge in work places.
The programme was chaired by Neikule Doulo of Enable. Earlier, an introduction to the workshop was made by ABC managing board chairperson Neidonuo Angami and City Church Kohima pastor Kedo Pesiyie pronounced a prayer while former Chief Secretary Alemtemshi Jamir and MTF project director Gugs Chishi presented a song.
