Strings, Stories & Strength | Anusmita Bhattacharyya | TEDxAshokaUniversity

Key Concepts:

• Violin as a coping mechanism
• Anxiety disorder diagnosis
• Bipolar disorder diagnosis
• Social stigma associated with mental illness
• Importance of family support
• Music as a source of resilience
• Finding acceptance and support in university

Early Life and Introduction to Music:

• The speaker first encountered the violin at the age of seven through a computer application called "Inkar."
• Despite the expectation in her Bengali family in Kolkata to learn Rabindra Sangeet or Bharatnatyam, she convinced her parents to let her learn the violin.
• She began learning Indian classical music and performed on stage the same year.
• Growing up, she used books and music as companions, playing the violin compulsively to manage anger issues.
• She describes growing up surrounded by books, including "Harry Potter" and "Narnia."

Adolescence and Social Life:

• In 11th and 12th grade, she started prioritizing social life, spending time with friends in Kolkata.
• She was made the head girl of her school, which was a significant achievement.

Onset of Mental Health Issues:

• After becoming head girl, she experienced a shift in her personality, becoming fearful and anxious.
• Two months before her board exams, she was diagnosed with anxiety disorder.
• Her mother provided unwavering support, encouraging her to take the exams.
• After the exams, her condition worsened, and she exhibited unusual behavior, such as talking excessively and calling people at random hours.
• She experienced auditory hallucinations and feelings of being followed.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Bipolar Disorder:

• After an incident where she got lost, her parents realized the severity of her condition and took her to a psychiatrist.
• She was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
• Medication and counseling helped her stabilize within a month.

Social Stigma and Recovery:

• Upon returning to social life, she faced stigma and was labeled as "mad" by friends and social circles.
• Her family's support was crucial in helping her cope with the social isolation.
• Her family reassured her that her condition was not her fault, which was a significant source of comfort.
• Music, particularly playing the violin, served as a continuous source of resilience and hope.

University Life and Acceptance:

• University life brought positive changes, as she found accepting friends and supportive professors.
• She recounts a story of her roommate's simple act of kindness during a moment of distress, highlighting the importance of support.
• She emphasizes the importance of feeling accepted and not being judged for her condition.

Performance and Closing Remarks:

• She concludes by performing "Raag Bihag," a Western fusion of an Indian raga, which was a signature piece of her orchestra.
• She shares a memory of playing the piece during monsoon season, trying to outplay the sound of the rain on the tin roof of her teacher's house.

Notable Quotes:

• "My mother was the constant voice in my head and she was the constant reassurance in my heart that I would be able to do it."
• "My family made me feel four simple words. That it's not your fault."

Technical Terms and Concepts:

• Rabindra Sangeet: Bengali songs written and composed by Rabindranath Tagore.
• Bharatnatyam: A major form of Indian classical dance that originated in Tamil Nadu.
• Anxiety Disorder: A mental health condition characterized by excessive worry and fear.
• Bipolar Disorder: A mental disorder characterized by periods of elevated mood (mania or hypomania) and periods of depression.
• Raag Bihag: A Hindustani classical raga (melodic framework for improvisation).

Logical Connections:

The narrative follows a chronological order, starting from her childhood introduction to the violin, progressing through her adolescence and the onset of mental health issues, diagnosis, treatment, social challenges, and eventual recovery and acceptance in university. The violin serves as a recurring motif, representing both a coping mechanism and a source of resilience throughout her journey.

Synthesis/Conclusion:

The speaker's story is a personal account of her journey through mental illness, highlighting the importance of early intervention, family support, and finding sources of resilience. It underscores the social stigma associated with mental health conditions and the need for greater understanding and acceptance. Her experience at university demonstrates the transformative power of supportive environments in fostering recovery and well-being. The violin and music, in general, played a crucial role in her journey, providing solace, hope, and a means of self-expression.