Bringing culturally and linguistically diverse perspectives into focus in interdisciplinary music research: Learnings from a perinatal healthcare study

With rising levels of human migration across the globe and with Australia registering twice the number of migrants this year compared to the last, there is a need now more than ever to amplify the cultural resources of our society. Music as a culturally rich form of human engagement that is also creative offers rich modes of engagement in such cross-sectoral research with multiple and intertwined methodologies, imperatives, and benefits. Over the last two decades, interdisciplinary music research has emerged as an effective model to accomplish, examine, and enrich cultural wellbeing while also bolstering our nation’s health and socio-cultural sectors. In this presentation, I share some of the key conceptual ideas, foundational sciences, and methodologies that have underpinned my work on the efficacy of song, singing, and songwriting in the perinatal mental health and wellbeing sector alongside the discipline of midwifery. Firstly, I shall briefly unpack the nuances around song, language, identity, and belonging the context of displaced peoples. Then, I shall outline the needs and strengths that were communicated to the research team by the community, illustrating the importance of co-design and strength-based approaches in working with minoritized peoples. After a cursory glance at the cross-sectoral partnerships that scaffolded this research design, I shall share one of the pieces that the group wrote and performed together, completing my presentation with song.

Dr Charulatha Mani is a vocal performer of Karnatik music of South India with international renown for her research into Karnatik ragas, ornamentation, and compositional structures. With a PhD in the intersections of Early Opera of 17^th century Italy and Karnatik music from the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University in Australia, her performance, pedagogy, and research explore the role of historical practices in contemporary (re)constructions of musical dialogue between cultures and contexts. She is currently Lecturer in Creative Arts and Health at the University of Tasmania with research focusses on interdisciplinary approaches to perinatal mental health and wellbeing. She has been awarded the 2023-24 Australian Broadcasting Corporation Classical Commission for a multi-movement compositional work underscoring climate action through Indian music and Sanskrit scriptures. www.charulathamani.com

Dr Charulatha Mani is collaborating with Dr Bonnie McConnell on the CHIME Australia project for perinatal mental health.