Acoustic-Perceptual Correlates of Voice in Indian Hindu Purohits

Vocal and Nonvocal Habits among Vedic Chanters

“…These techniques and exercises involve regulating and channelizing air through the nasal and oral cavities [37]. Also, it is worth noting that the chanting of the syllable “OM” (among Hindu Purohits) uses predominantly forward focus and the posture and breath support they maintain while chanting results in a clear, loud, and open voice [17]. These can be equated to many of the evidence-based voice therapy approaches used today that place importance on forward focus and relaxation exercises [38].…”

“…For example, Hindu priests/Purohits use their voice during worships, prayers, and special ceremonies (such as weddings, thread ceremonies, housewarming). A study of Hindu Purohits revealed that acoustic measures such as average fundamental frequency, average intensity, noise harmonic ratio, jitter, shimmer, and cepstral peak prominence were similar for both the control and experimental (Purohits) groups [17]. Devadas et al [18] administered a self-report questionnaire to 124 Hindu priests working in temples in and around Mangalore, India.…”

Systems Approaches to Occupational Vocal Health: Considerations for Community Faith Leaders

“…Faith leaders’ vocal awareness includes: Recognising vocal health experiences (Hagelberg & Simberg, 2015 ), Health-based help-seeking for poor vocal health (Hagelberg & Simberg, 2015 ; Hapner & Gilman, 2012 ; Jayakumar & Mohamed Yasin, 2021 ), Safe voice use techniques (Hočevar-Boltezar, 2009 ; Jayakumar & Mohamed Yasin, 2021 ; Middleton & Hinton, 2009 ), and Supportive health behaviours for vocal health (e.g. hydration, vocal rest—time away from demanding voice use, avoiding smoke) (Abdelhamid & Al-Khoufi, 2017 ; Balasubramanium et al, 2018 ; Boltežr & Šereg Bahar, 2014 ; do Nascimento Martins et al, 2018 ; Jayakumar & Mohamed Yasin, 2021 ). …”

“…Supportive health behaviours for vocal health (e.g. hydration, vocal rest—time away from demanding voice use, avoiding smoke) (Abdelhamid & Al-Khoufi, 2017 ; Balasubramanium et al, 2018 ; Boltežr & Šereg Bahar, 2014 ; do Nascimento Martins et al, 2018 ; Jayakumar & Mohamed Yasin, 2021 ).…”

“…teaching, preaching, public speaking) (Hapner & Gilman, 2012 ; Jayakumar & Mohamed Yasin, 2021 ). However, voice use education is reportedly missing for Turkish Islamic religious officials and Indian Hindu purohit (Balasubramanium et al, 2018 ; Büyükatalay et al, 2020 ). 1 Learning opportunities regarding supportive vocal health behaviours appear limited within career education across faith leadership traditions (Balasubramanium et al, 2018 ; Büyükatalay et al, 2020 ; Hapner & Gilman, 2012 ; Jayakumar & Mohamed Yasin, 2021 ).…”