The National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), in partnership with the Mercuri Foundation, has announced the establishment of the Centre for Music Brain Mind and Health in Bengaluru under the patronage of renowned composer and Padma Vibhushan awardee Dr. Ilaiyaraaja.
The proposed centre will be India’s first interdisciplinary national institution dedicated to the study of music, neuroscience, mental health, cognition, rehabilitation, and technology. It aims to advance research, clinical innovation, education, and public engagement in the emerging field that explores the relationship between music and brain health.
The initiative seeks to integrate scientific inquiry with artistic and cultural perspectives to develop evidence-based approaches that promote mental wellbeing, cognitive health, and rehabilitation. By bringing together expertise from multiple disciplines, the centre aims to harness the therapeutic and transformative potential of music for individuals and communities.
Dr. Ilaiyaraaja’s patronage adds a significant cultural dimension to the project. Widely celebrated for his contributions to Indian music, his work reflects the deep connection between music, emotion and human experience an area central to the centre’s mission.
The collaboration between NIMHANS and the Mercuri Foundation underscores a shared vision of positioning India as a global leader in the rapidly evolving field of music, brain, mind, and health sciences.