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The term `psychoacoustics’ essentially refers to the modern study on the way sound emanations are perceived by human beings. The study includes how we listen, our psychological responses, and the physiological impact of music and sound on our nervous system. In the realm of psychoacoustics, the terms music, sound, frequency, vibrations etc. become interchangeable, as […]

‘In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God’ — The Bible  Ancient and primitive human societies across the world had interpreted life and lived with more compassion and reverence than what we find in today’s world. Even the concepts and practices relating to healing were thus

An Indian raga is often viewed by music therapists as a highly complex sequence of notes (swaras) which are cyclic, emotional, inward-looking and meditative. It is also used in practical sessions aimed at emotional healing for those who are traumatised or mentally unstable. A very essential feature conceived in Indian classical music traditions is Gamaka,

Proto-ragas have a positive impact on mentally challenged children. These ragas have an impact on the moods and behaviour of these children.  The term ‘Proto-raga’ was changed by the volunteers of Nada Centre for Music Therapy, Chennai (www.nada.in) in the year 2005, when they were engaged in working on ‘appropriate ragas’ which could influence listening

Though anger is an emotion which is and should be avoided, even then, each one of us experiences anger in some form or the other in our everyday lives. Music has shown to have a positive impact in controlling anger and also reducing the angry bouts in people. The author highlights how music helps to

Aalaap is an ancient form of contemplative music, which exercises the brain and regulates the emotional flow in a pleasant manner. Though the negative emotions such as fear, anger, melancholy etc. are expressed through ragas, they are expressed so pleasantly that they do not have any adverse effect on the listeners.  Recent years have witnessed

Emotional healing sessions are known to control the out bursts of emotions in people affected by failures in life, discrimination in competitions, physical or psychological handicaps, traumatic events caused by racism, loss and accidents, nature’s fury such tsunami, floods, drought, hurricanes etc.  The table appended herewith summarizes the areas which cause emotional imbalance, particularly when

Modern science refers to emotion as a mental state organized in the limbic system of the mammalian brain. It is recognized as a state of manifestation of the feelings expressed nonverbally. Such strong feelings have a link with what we call fear, dislike, disgust, sadness, shame, wonder (surprise), anger and joy, which are the innermost

Long before acoustics came to be understood in Europe as a subject of study, the ancient Arab, Greek and Indian civilizations were already familiar with the therapeutic role of sounds and vibrations and the latter day concepts pertaining to them. While music as a whole is well recognized for its entertainment value, the Indian civilization

Chanting is an ancient time-tested method of overcoming grief and trauma known for centuries in all parts of the world, as a religious practice. Chanting involves repetition of either meaningless phrases (or those phrases for which no rational meaning is possible) or assertive and self-encouraging resolutions. Chanting is defined as the continuous recitation of a

The studies conducted by Tony Nader, a medical doctor, brings out a precise relationship between the structures and functions of the different aspects of the Vedic literature and those of human physiology, leading to the conclusion that the human body is a replica of the Veda. These sounds of Veda are the intelligence that structure

“The meaning of music is intrinsic and lies within itself. It can be extracted only through an act of musical understanding and not by an assignment of values of the kind provided by a semantic theory.” — R. SCRUTON, Aesthetics of Music  Musical intelligence allows a listener or a performer to discern or interpret nuances

Shamanism is an ancient healing system, practiced by a set of persons who claimed communication with the spiritual world.  Shamans, who were practitioners of this system, worked as messengers between the humans and the spirits, which they could summon for healing. Shamans were credited with healing ailments “by mending the soul” of those who were

Recent experiments affirm that music can be a ‘psychological tonic’ for those deprived of normal life. In Indian cities and towns, we have children and adolescents growing in slums and barns, deprived of a normal living, assured through the Constitution of India even today!  Many are not aware that it is these underprivileged children who

Nada Yoga, which means “union through intonation of sound” has been a part and parcel of an ancient system of Yoga called Kriya Yoga or the Yoga of Technique. We know that the Sanskrit term, “Yoga”, has varied connotations – to combine, coordinate, harmonise, integrate and much more. Apart from Kriya Yoga, ancient Indian spiritualists

It has been observed that in general, music therapy helps a baby to gain weight, get rid of stress and handle pain better. It also helps her to go to sleep which guarantees her health and well-being.  A tiny, premature baby is lying in the neonatal ward. The incubator’s heat is substituting her mother’s hugs.

The expression ‘musical experience’ refers to more than listening to a piece of music. It also includes the listener’s response or reaction to a particular kind of music that he often comes across.  The Indian traditions affirm that music can change not only one’s moods but  also one’s behaviour, which is governed by a certain

Recent years have witnessed the application of music as a therapeutic intervention. Music therapy is thus, the way music and musical activities are employed so as to facilitate physical, cognitive, communicative or psychological improvement in patients. Recent developments include the use of music even in the care of people with cancer and HIV, apart from

Music therapy is becoming increasingly popular in Indian settings. A group of volunteers from NADA Centre for Music Therapy have begun working on a series of lecture-demonstrations in various Indian cities and towns. This author has been associated with such attempts since the late nineties, when he had to encounter dissent from the intellectuals and

A beautiful tune not only tugs your heart, it also rejuvenates the soul.  Music has always been a very powerful tool for expression, thanks to the range and depth of sound frequencies which could stir a listener with a range of feelings. Archaeological evidence proves that music-making is a part of the history of almost