In today’s busy, stressed out and competitive world, music could be a great stress reliever. It provides an antidote to a stressful existence, even if it means for a few moments. And, in those perfect few seconds, we are truly able to connect with our inner self. In fact, music could be seen as a way owards self-realisation as well. Music is one such art form that is both worldly as well as divine, which is endorsed by every religion and culture globally. Whether in the hymns, sufikalams, omkar or Buddhist chanting, music forms the basis which takes us nearer to our inner self and the divine. Thus, it is essential to take some time out for music, as it changes life gradually.
Indian classical music and evolution of music therapy
From the very beginning, the main goal of Indian classical music was to create a link between the self and God. While, classical music in India was mainly seen as a prerogative of the elites in the ancient times, it gained prominence in the academic circle in the past 150 years, primarily due to the efforts of Pandit Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande and Pandit Vishnu Digambar Paluskar.
While Pandit Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande gave us the first modern treatise on Hindustani classical music, an art that was mainly propagated through oral traditions, Pandit Vishnu Digambar Paluskar as instrumental in the establishment of the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya in 1901.
Due to the constant efforts of these two great musicians, classical music witnessed a revolution in India. The perspective of people towards singers also saw immense change. They were no longer seen as gawaiya–colloquial term for singer–instead, they were given due respect and status in the society. Classical singers were seen as a connection between human beings and divinity, creating a ridge through music
Further, the numerous research undertaken by Pandit Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande and Pandit Vishnu Digambar Paluskar became the foundation for formal Indian classical music therapy as well. Such a therapy has proven healing benefits, that helps in uplifting the physical, mental and emotional well-being of a person.
Music therapy for well-being
Music has often been used as a therapeutic agent. It is seen as a yoga system, which through various sounds and notes act upon human body and brain, helping in awakening it and developing different functions.
With regards to Indian classical music, there had been many therapeutic benefits of such a form of music. Musicians have been successfullyusing Omkar therapy and Ragas for stress relief. Let’s first consider Omkar therapy.
OM (Omkar) is considered to be the primordial sound of the creation, as per Vedas. It is the foundation of naad, which became the base for swar and sangeet. Thus, OM is said to be the foundation of the Indian classical music.
Omkar consists of four sounds: A and U, which contracts to produce O; and O nasal (anuswara) and M. It has been proven that each of these sounds directly impact our energy system.
1. A – activates the left channel or lunar channel
2. U – activates the right channel or solar channel
3. M – directly acts on the center channel.
Such a therapy is being widely used for stress management.
Similarly, various Ragas are also found to be very effective in managing or curing diseases. In such a therapy, a combination of specific notes or Ragas is being used to act upon a particular chakra. It also helps in relieving anxiety, creating relaxation and inducing asleep.
While the impact of Indian classical music therapy on depression, mental illness and terminal diseases are still under research, one could undoubtedly conclude that it helps in the general well-being of a person, especially in today’s stressedout existence.
About the author: Dr. Shampa Choudhury is the assistant professor of vocal music, with the Department of Music, VMLG PG College, Ghaziabad, affiliated to CCS University, Meerut
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