Raga is the sequence of selected notes (swaras) that lend appropriate ‘mood’ or emotion in a selective combination. Depending on its nature, a raga could induce or intensify joy or sorrow, violence or peace, and this is the quality which forms the basis for musical application. Thus, a whole range of emotions and their nuances could be captured and communicated within certain rhythms and melodies. Playing, performing and even listening to appropriate ragas can work as a medicine.
Healing Ragas
According to an ancient Indian text, Swara Sastra, the seventy two melakarta ragas control the important nerves in the body. It is believed that, if one sings with due devotion, adhering to raga lakshana and sruti shuddhi, the ragas could affect particular nerves in the body in a favourable manner.
Certain ragas do have a tendency to move the listeners –emotionally as well as physically. An unintended nod of the head, limbs or body could be manifest when lilting tunes are played. The real impact of sound is more apparent when there is a metallic screech, which nails the nerves and makes the body undergo a sudden shiver! Simple melodic structures, slow tempo, low-pitched notes, which are repeated over and over again, as in bhajans and kirtans have been found to be soothing and relaxing. They are found to impart a sense of relaxed spaciousness, besides reducing stress, deepening the breathing process, leading the listeners to consciousness through frequencies akin to the Earth’s electro-magnetic field.
Thus, music played for the soldiers or for the dancers have to be more lively and uplifting with frequent use of arohi content. More ascending notes are found in war music or in joyous dance music, all over the world. Some ragas like Darbari Kanhada, Kamaj and Pooriya are found to help in defusing mental tension, particularly in the case of hysterics.
For those who suffer from hypertension, ragas such as Ahirbhairav, Pooriya and Todi are prescribed. To control anger and bring down the violence within, Carnatic ragas like Punnagavarali, Sahana etc. do come handy. For stomach-related disorders, there are ragas from the Hindustani school: Deepak for acidity, Gunkali-and Jaunpuri for constipation and Malkauns (Hindol) for intestinal gas. For controlling high fevers such:as malaria; ragas such as Malkauns, (Hindol) and Marva are considered useful. One can try Darbari Kanhada, Jaijaiwanti or Sohni as a treatment for certain types of headaches. To cure insomnia, one listens to Nilambari raga likewise martial fervours are believed to be instilled in people by making them listen to pieces in Bilahari or Kedaram.
Sri Raga, when sung or listened to, after a heavy lunch is said to aid in digestion and assimilation. Saama raga is used to restore mental peace, while Bhupalam and Malayamaarudham, when sung before dawn, serves as an agreeable invitation to people—including the Lord of the Seven Hills—to wake him up from their slumber.
Relief from paralysis is reported by listening to pieces of Dvijaavaniti Raga. Those who are prone to depression are often recommended with a dose of lilt in Bilahari to overcome their melancholy. Nadanamakriya, yet another. raga, is supposed to soften the adamant people and even hardened criminals.
The Probable Therapeutic Components in some Selected Ragas
Kalyani (Yaman): A possible remedy for High Blood Pressure : The soothing touch inherent in the teevra madhyam in the raga Kalyani (Yaman is the Hindustani equivalent) which is interspersed with the six swaras which are all shuddha render a compassionate, personality to this raga, which could be the reason for its acknowledged role in bringing down one’s (high blood pressure).
Malkauns (Hindolam): A possible Remedy for Low Blood Pressure : For those who suffer from low blood pressure, the morning raga malkauns (whose Carnatic equivalent is Hindolam) is prescribed. The oscillations in Gandhar, Daivat and in Nishad one comes across in this raga. This could be the reason behind the elevation of one’s spirit- as well blood pressure. One finds magic in the pivotal note, the Madhyam, which makes it a feminine raga.
Bageshri: A possible remedy for Sleep Disorders: A romantic, late night raga is prescribed for sleep and insomnia. The occasional inclusion of Pancham besides the sharpness (Komal -type) and Nishad could be the secret for its soporific role.
Bilahari : A possible remedy for Depression : Recommended for Depression. This raga is ideal for starting the day. This raga could be sung at the very early hours of the dawn by those who suffer from dejection and depression.
Durbari : A possible remedy for stress : A late-night raga Durbari is considered ideal for soothing nerves and reducing tension.
Shiva Ranjini : A possible promoter of intellectual excellence : An ideal raga for the night which is credited with the improvement in one’s intelligence quotient, the common man gets the taste of this raga from the least expected source of all the Bollywood films! It may also be seen that in any filmi abasement of this raga leads to a hit song as in the films: Mera Naam Joker (Jaane Kahan Gaye Woh Din) and EK Duje Ke Liye (Solah Baras Ki) and in many others. At one point of time every producer in the North and in the South used to insist that at least one song should be composed in this raga.
Madhyamavathi – A possible Neutralizer: Madhyamavati is the raga often chosen by the Carnatic Vidwans for ending the kacheries (concerts) with mangalam. The reason is quite simple. The raga has certain unique qualities to equalize the upheaval of emotions often brought by singing or listening to various raga that heighten them. Akin to Madhyama Sarang perhaps the oscillations at Rishabh in this raga could be the cause of equalizing the mind.
This article was published in Eternal Solutions March 2010 – Pages 86, 87
Edited by Geeta Shreedar, August 5, 2021