An interactive workshop with music and visuals was held on 29th June, 2002 at the Indian Habitat Centre, New Delhi. It was conceived, designed, coordinated and presented by the well-known author and musicologist Dr. T. V. Sairam who was trained under Sangeetha Vidwan Sri S. V. Ramani. The workshop was attended by famous musicians, popular artists and top medical professionals of the capital. It dealt with ragas having a positive impact on the body, mind and spirit. The objective of the workshop was to demonstrate and share the healing power of music.
The workshop, like the earlier ones included a colorful slide presentation as the ragas were introduced to the learned audience one by one. The visuals and the music, drawn from both the Carnatic and Hindustani schools were a treat to the participants, who were able to feel the greatness of the raga system, which is the unique contribution of the Indian subcontinent to the world of music.
It is difficult to conceive ragas as mere melodies, as they are not based on just mechanical notes, but on swaras, the self-shining entities that get decomposed into partials and harmonics. Dr. Sairam pointed out the concept of these anuswaras, and their relevance in determining the characteristics (lakshana) of the ragas and said that this showed the extent to which the manipulative mind of the Indians could reach! It is the Indian genius again that recognized that ragas are not just conceived for entertainment alone, but their vibrations touch one’s interiors as a healing medicine. By activating emotions and controlling brainwave patterns ragas can be used as a powerful tool for alleviating the most common ailments of the modern society such as blood pressure, depression, sleep disorders, stress etc.
Practitioners of both Carnatic and Hindustani systems of Indian music are fully aware of the power and influence that the ragas wield in not only bringing down downpours from the skies but, also, in healing the mind, particularly when tension takes over. Playing, performing or even listening to appropriate ragas is believed to work as a complementary medicine – if not as an exclusive medical prescription.
There has been an explosion of scientific research material in the field of neuro music – a point which was highlighted at the workshop.
A note of music is not just a sound; it is in fact composed of a group of partials. And, each partial represents a single, usually time varying oscillator. Dr. Sairam demonstrated the impact of sounding the Tibetan Singing Bowl which is made of saptadhatus, or 7 metals, each representing a planet or, the days of the week. Gold represents the sun (Sunday); silver the moon (Monday) so on so forth. The decomposition of a tone into its microtones and the vibratory pattern that emanates from the resonating bowl was an eye opener for many. This exemplified the impact of resonance (nada) on the minds of the listeners.
The recent decades have witnessed an explosion of experiments, with various forms of sounds conducted particularly in the West, by medical professionals, psychiatrists, neuro-musicologists, biologists and the like. The research has been on the impact of sound on body and mind, and their role in alleviating many psychological ailments like criminal tendencies, stress, negative feelings and emotions, frustrations, interpersonal incompatibility etc., that pose a serious threat to man in the modern setting. The ancient system of nada yoga has already acknowledged this and put into practice the vibrations emanating from sound to uplift one’s level of consciousness.
Raga Chikitsa, an ancient Indian treatise has documented the therapeutic aspect of ragas. Some ragas like Darbari-Kanada, Khamaj and Pooriya are strongly recommended for diffusing tension in the mind, particularly in the case of hysterics. For those who suffer from hypertension, ragas as Ahirbhairav, Puriya and Todi are highly recommended. To control anger and bring down the violence within, the Carnatic ragas like Punnagavarali and Sahana should come handy. For stomach related disorders there are ragas from the Hindustani system – Deepak (for acidity). Gunakhali and Jaunpuri for constipation and Malkauns for intestinal gas. For controlling high fevers like in malaria, ragas like Hindol and Marwa are said to be useful. How about when you have a headache? Try Darbari-Kanada, Jaijaywanti or Sohani.
Neuro musicology
Neuro musicology is an emerging branch of science, born out of the combination of neurological sciences and music, intended to explore the biological and biochemical responses to the sounds of music. According to Dr. Sairam, the recent developments in this field represent just the re-discovery of the ancient concepts and practices of nada yoga.
Based on textbook understanding of synchronization and entrainment of vibrations, this field takes into account the basic premises that vibrations are ceaselessly synchronized in the universe, bringing about changes in every moment of its conceivable fraction.
Experiments conducted on brain waves with the help of instruments like electron encephalography reveal that the music waves and rhythms can alter the pace or composition of brain waves, thus affecting the mental state of consciousness levels and selecting appropriate tunes and rhythms, every mental ailment can be effectively addressed.
Western science has gone a long way exploit sounds for the welfare of people. Right from unborn babies in the womb to the terminally ill patients in hospices, every individual stands to benefit from this research. A huge body of knowledge now endorses common mental ailments like tension, anti-social behavior like arson and violence, negative feelings such as anger and jealousy can be easily tackled with appropriate doses of music, dispensed by an experienced therapist.
There are reported instances where music has played a soothing role. By introducing music in the City Square, it is reported that in Edmonton, Canada, the pedestrians’ behavior has become more orderly and they are more accommodative with each other. In work places, music is reported to have brought in more smiles and bonhomie among the employees; in long queues, music has inculcated a sense of relaxation and tolerance among those waiting their turns.
It has been highlighted that music not only alleviates the anxiety and violence in the minds of people, but imparts a positive behavior pattern that enables a new approach tempered with love and compassion and, above all, a greater sense of understanding towards one’s fellow travelers.
Another important aspect of neuro musicology lies in the constant pattern of tension and resolution inbuilt into all forms of music – be it a bhajan or a baroque! For instance, the first line in the popular bhajan Hare Rama Hare Krishna creates a sense of tension, which is resolved by the following line, Rama Rama Hare Hare. Scientists say that the tension built and the resolution that follows in any music, gets translated into an electrical code of pulse in the brains. Conversely, nature’s rhythms have been found to be akin to those we find in music. Particularly, in terms of timing (talas), intensity (amplitude), synchronicity, contrast in frequency (vadi, anuvadi or samvadi), patterning etc., there is a remarkable similarity between the two types of rhythms. Dr Gordon Shaw and his associates have discovered that specific firing patterns in brain cells resemble the musical works of Baroque, New age and Eastern music.
The growing body of knowledge has proved beyond doubt the therapeutic value of music including the Indian ragas. Simple iterative music as in bhajans and kirtans proves to be sedative and increases alpha levels. The complex forms of music as in Baroque or new age varieties are found to facilitate complex neuronal patterns and make one fit for complicated thinking processes as required in the game of bridge, chess or in mathematical assignments. Musical training, besides enhancing mental imagery and creativity, also proves to have lasting effect in responsible citizenry as one avoids negative feelings and emotions. It helps spread the message of compassion and love through music.
This article was published in Heritage Healing –August 2002, Pages 9, 10
Edited by Geeta Shreedar, Feb 19, 2021