The Mystery of Music
Recent neurological experiments, employing sophisticated neuro-imaging and brain-mapping techniques, have confirmed the role of music in altering the brain wave patterns. It is a clear scientific endorsement to the outlandish concepts and practices of nada yoga, which came into vogue, long before acoustics came to light in Europe.
Stimulating genres of music, characterized in general, say, by faster pace of rhythms, progressive forms and resonance in higher frequencies (5000 to 8000 HZ) – are now known to affect the human brain in such a way that they could help in rearranging the brain wave patterns towards beta forms, conducive to extreme alertness and quick mental response to external puzzles – trait expected equally from both a fighter pilot in the battle-front and the math – solving school-kid in the examination hall. Certain other genres of music, particularly the religious chants and the like, on the other hand, can induce tremendous tranquility and stress-free conditions by converting the brain wave patterns with predominant mix of alpha and / or theta levels.
When we talk of music, we treat it as if it has a separate existence from us. We tend to forget that it is our very mind that has made its existence possible. It is the advaitism that comes in the way of any rational all the more magical and makes life worth devoting towards its unravelling – perhaps – understanding.
Music, like life, is recognized; but hardly understood.
Realizing its importance however, Friedrich Nietzsche once remarked that life would have been a mistake without music.
While the fundamental tone in music remains the same, it is the overtones, the sound hovering above this tone, that plays magic. Monks in the Himalayas concentrate on their harmonics, emanating from their ‘singing’ bowls to reach into higher (deeper) realms of their consciousness. For a minute observer, when the tara ‘sa’ is held steadily, the overtones (tara sthayi antara ‘ga’ and ‘pa’ ) can be heard as shifting echoes. The musician and the yogi are the fortunate few who can be aware of such subtleties that life offers to us. Laya, a combination of tempo and rhythm, inter- woven, is made explicit by a strange fusion of sound and silence. Here, mathematics is transformed into art. Laya prajna, the perception of laya refers to an ability to perceive the minute fragments of time, the symbolic significance of tempo or gait, and spacing of notes that greatly affect our mood.
It’s again the magic in music that sweeps us away from our time orientation. Time, as we all know, is always there – in our beta consciousness – whether the music is sounded or not. Now with the arrival of music especially, the stretching of a note (karvai) – smoothly expunges the time sense in us!
It is this mystery that surrounds music that makes it all the more magical and inviting. Let’s go ahead with our musical adventure without anticipating any results. For the process itself is an achievement.
This article was published in Indian Customs and Excise Journal – 1st June 2005 – Page 23
Edited by Geeta Shreedar, April 7, 2021