INDIAN CLASSICAL MUSIC- THE POWERFUL HEALER
Music is the language of our soul. If we listen around, then can find music in the rustling of wind, cooing of dove, swooshing of grasses, continuous flow of the river water, tinkling of the bride’s anklets, chirping of birds so on and so forth. These sounds make music by rhythm which is nature’s calculated mathematics.
Based on nature’s laws and the brilliance of ancient musicians of India, Indian classical music has evolved. It’s bound by mathematical calculations of Taala and laya.
If we trace back the history of Indian classical music, then find the roots in ‘Natyashastra’ by ‘Bharata muni’ but definite description is found only in 13th century. The clear definition was found in the scriptures written by Sarangadeva which both Hindustani and Karnatik classical music follow.
Indian classical music has been defined into many ‘Raagas’ based on ‘Melas or Thatas’. Melas can be of 12 types and each of them will contain 7 swaras — Sa-Re-Ga-Ma-Pa-Dha-Ni with different permutations and combinations of ‘Shuddha’ and ‘Komal’ swaras. Mela or Thata is not sung, instead Raagas based on these Thatas/ Melas are sung. If Thata is mentioned then it is needless to mention which swaras would be present. There again some dominant and less dominant swaras known as ‘Vaadis’ and ‘Samvadis’ are used. Each raga has a time of its own as to when it should be sung. For example Raaga Bhairav- it has to be sung early in the morning to get its optimum phonic effects. Hence it is not a simple art form instead a science.
In modern medical science, researchers have started venturing into this field to explore the possibilities of healing power of music. The penetration of music is visualized through ultrasound. The Raga Research Centre in Chennai, India, is currently making a comprehensive study of Indian ragas and evaluating their therapeutic potential with the help of musicians, doctors and psychiatrists. By diverting the mind from its concentration on a pain location (or a painful experience) music can work like a pain-reliever without any side-effects. It is believed that classical Indian ragas can benefit a whole host of conditions like Indigestion, Arthritis, Epilepsy, Insomnia, Hypertension, Asthma, Chronic Headaches, Hemorrhoids, Arrhythmia, Ulcers and Cancer Rehabilitation etc.
Diseases and Ragas to listen
Tuberculosis –Meghmalhar
Chronic Headache –Darbari, Jayjayvanti, Gunkah
Hypertension — GorakhKalyan, Bhimpalasi, Puriya
Depression — Natnarayan
Cold, Cough — Gurjantodi, Bhairavi
Paralysis — Jayjayvanti
Loss of Appetite — Deepak, Chandrakauns
Rheumatoid Arthritis — Bhairav, Ahirbhairav, Gunkali
Flatulence, gas — Malkauns, Jaunpuri
Skin disorders — Asavari
Apart from this some ragas like Darbari Kanhada, Kamaj and Pooriya are ragas that help in defusing mental tension, especially cases of hysteria. 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 are very effective.
But one should listen to the said Ragas, when one is totally relaxed, alert and should focus his attention to the sound of music.
What happens at molecular level when we listen to such music? Though exact studies have not come up in Indian contexts, in certain western studies they have found music to relieve stress and anxiety before going for any operational procedures if they are put on some music of their choice or some smoothening music. Due to stress and anxiety blood cortisol level (stress hormone), blood pressure and heart rate are increased. With music therapy sympathetic nervous system is suppressed and limbic system of brain triggers release of endorphins which creates a sense of well-being.
A personal experience from my surgeon husband is that he feels calm and his patients’ surgery outcomes are usually good because he keeps playing soothing music throughout the operative procedures. It maintains the calm on either side. There had been many researches in Western countries regarding effect of music on reducing doses of anaesthesia when music is played in pre-operative period. But however, there had been no conclusive evidence.
Indian Classical music being highly scientific and bound by definitive rules and regulations, we need to do extensive research on the healing power of the same as prospective studies by studying each raga and its effect on human physiological system.
Since it is a highly scientific system, its deviation from the rules may also cause some adverse effects which we can sense in modern raucous music. Ultimately it is advisable to use this powerful and divine tool of classical music, the “Nada Brahma” in the health of humanity through extensive research.
