Having a group play drums randomly may not seem like a good idea. But the soundscape at the Trivandrum Cultural Center in Thiruvananthapuram on September 28 proved to be a memorable experience. The group of musicians included neurodiverse children and adults, their parents, and therapists who were playing drums, as well as some of them singing.
That was the first session of The Humdrum Circle in Thiruvananthapuram. It is a participatory music program for neurodiverse individuals, specifically those on the autism spectrum. Razude (Rudy) David, the Bengaluru-based musician, composer and sound designer who developed the concept, led the session organized by Seraphic Play and Learning Development Center in the capital city.
Rudy, who grew up in Tripunithra near Kochi, says the inspiration to start the program came from his close friend’s son Sid (Siddharth). “Even though Sid couldn’t speak, we had an instant connection. I could direct his excitement (repetitive body movements or noise) towards the drum. But he was not comfortable with the sound of the djembe. So I brought a ganjira for her and she liked it. Later, I developed a drum based on it using easily available materials,” says Rudy.
Razude David | Photo Credit: Nirmal Harindaran
The humdrum has a specific frequency and texture with which the neurodivergent is comfortable. “When we look at the history of civilizations, drumming was a primitive method of communication. Some communities continue to communicate in the same way. Rhythm is part of our existence and music is the source of language. So when working with a child who has a disability and cannot speak, drum beats can become a form of expression. Since it also involves humming while playing the drum, we named it Humdrum.”
Razina PA at The Humdrum Circle | Photo Credit: Nirmal Harindaran
Ultimately Rudy developed Rudiments of Music, a structured course consisting of 21 exercises for 21 days, practiced for 15 minutes a day. This is the first section and is based on the concept of time. “This is not a way of teaching music but of making music a habit,” says Rudy. He has so far conducted programs in Bengaluru, Chennai, Kochi and Chandigarh. Post-pandemic, he has been conducting online sessions for students in the US, Australia and Budapest. He also conducts workshops on humdrum making.
experiment with music
Music has always been a part of Rudy, who started his career in the advertising industry as a copywriter. He has worked with Raghu Dixit Project, Dr. L Subramaniam Global Music Group and Lucky Ali, besides touring with Bengaluru-based Thermal & A Quarter for almost a decade.
The humdrum has a batter head made from a school bag and a sofa cover. The drum shell is made of 12- or 10-inch PVC pipes cut into two-inch wires. Cable ties are used to secure and tension the head on the frame. A drip irrigation pipe is used for the lower ring to keep everything well together. A small fishing line is also used below the head to connect with the voice to give it a buzz and distinctive tone. Brass bells or small metal cymbals add charm to the high-frequency range,” explains Rudy.
‘Rudiments of Music’ is designed for a minimum of two participants. Section I of the program is timed and focuses on left-right hand and eye coordination to trigger muscle memory. The purpose of the practice method is to simplify the language and mathematics of music.
He brought this concept to Kerala at the Kochi Biennale 2019. It was pioneered by neurodivergent Dr. Lincoln Samuel, a cardiothoracic surgeon turned musician. “My wife (Dr. Susan Zacharias), a developmental pediatrician, became acquainted with Rudy through a patient’s mother and put me in touch with him. On 1st February this year we organized a Humdrum event in Kochi in connection with the release of our album. Since April, we have been holding monthly sessions at Imutsa in Kakkanad (in Kochi) on the first Sunday of every month,” says Dr Lincoln.
Razina PA, Founder-Director of Seraphic Play and Learning Development Centre, attended one of Dr Lincoln’s sessions and wanted to bring it to Thiruvananthapuram. “I didn’t limit it to just the students of our center because I wanted everyone to know about it. We now plan to incorporate this into our music therapy sessions at Seraphic. We will also organize monthly sessions for people from all walks of life,” says Razina, mother of 12-year-old Ibrahim Surez, who is on the autism spectrum.
Hamdrum circle in progress at Trivandrum Cultural Center in Thiruvananthapuram. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
In the session, Rudy was assisted by Seraphic’s music therapist Chhaya Govind, who sang while the participants played drums. Since the event was open to all, the participants also included music graduate student Amrita B, who was visually impaired, who enthralled the group with her singing.
Razina adds, “When playing drums, children feel like they are part of a community because everyone is equal in a musical setting. It is a stress reliever for children and makes them happy.”
Razude David (left) and Chhaya Govind (far right) leading the humdrum circle. Photo Credit: Nirmal Harindaran
A point supported by Sujeena TM, who came to the event with her five-year-old son Aryan Al Anam. “He cannot speak but likes to listen to music. I was amazed by his reaction, especially when he tried to sing along with Chhaya. I was relieved to see him happy. “I have never been stress-free for a long time,” says Sujina.
Manju Krishnan R, another parent who attended the session, says her 10-year-old son, Sriniket BM, has never played any instrument before, though he listens to music. “I could see how much fun he had hitting the drums. Moreover, it was like a social gathering and we could see the children communicating through music. “The kids were probably happy that they were able to do something.”
Anjali Rajan Dilip, a media professional who was part of the session with her 12-year-old son Ananthashreyas, called it a rare phenomenon where “sound so seamlessly connects the heart and mind.”
For information about Hamdrum contact 8089023779 (Razeena) or 9895462656 (Dr Lincoln).
published – October 02, 2024 11:52 am IST
