Music is an intrinsic part of every zone of us - irrespective of the fact whether we are singers or listeners. Rhythm is the first organizing structure in the infant’s experience. Science acknowledges that pulse and rhythmic patterns found in our heart beats, in our breathing and in our body movements are just a few indicators of rhythms with which all our life-processes are intrinsically linked.

Melody is built in our laughter, cry, screams and songs - all following a rhythmic pattern. A whole range of emotions can be captured and communicated through rhythms, tones and melody. Nature too is made of cycles and rhythms.

All biological processes follow a pattern in an orchestrated manner - breathing, digestion, metabolism, circulation. So much so that scientists have discovered a musical symphony in the process by which chromosomes condense and segregate during nuclear division.

But rhythms cannot be confined to just intercellular functions alone. Nada yogis can visualize their impact beyond the confines of their bodies; and present-day scientists are discovering that the foundation of the universe is not just matter but movement of energy - vibrations.
Every one of us responds to music - from the new-born to the old, from a healthy person to a patient. Music exercises the brain and playing the instruments activates different areas of the brain-functioning. It reaps cognitive rewards - in terms of linguistic skills, reasoning and creativity.

In ancient India, meditation was prescribed for ‘taming’ the mind so as to reach the higher realms of consciousness. Ancient India had also devised means to tap the inherent power lying in music for holistic health. The concepts and practices of nada yoga or laya yoga not only take into account the gross resonance, captured within the sensory limitations of the human ears, viz. 20 to 20,000 Hz., but also the subtle, anahata which is totally beyond sensory reach, can be perceived by mastering the techniques.

Music or nada reveals a distinct yin-yang pattern, a characteristic common to all living systems. Here, the sound and silence, is yoked together under a mystic canopy for their mutual interaction in producing synergy. The synergy is considered to be the very building block that constitutes the universe. For the nada yogi, it may even represent the very manifestation of God or Brahman.

In music, westerners perceive a note as a note. It has to be mathematically correct and mechanically precise. The Indian system of raga, on the other hand, encompasses not only swaras but even their partials, those stacks of subordinate vibrations. The subtle way in which the subordinate vibrations in a swara encounter their counterparts in the preceding or succeeding swaras determines the pakad, a short cut involved in identifying a raga by representing a musical phrase and not a sentence. It is these partials that elevate the Indian raga from being a mere mechanistic melody to a lofty, divine form. As the selected harmonics cannot be properly reflected, the Indian system is dependent on guru-shishya parampara, which makes it unique.

Interestingly, it is these partials which have paved way for effective meditation. Concentration on the syambhu swara, especially during rechaka and kumbhaka can heighten the experience of consciousness.

Indian music is a combination of experiences, both emotional and intellectual. While a listener’s emotional thirst is met with by selecting the melodies laced with required bhavas, his intellectual thirst is quenched by the mathematical precision in the tala system. But Indian music attaches importance to serenity and thoughtful state of mind as its primary aim.

Music from certain instruments also has therapeutic value. This is because of the timbre or tone colour. For instance in south India, sweet strains of veena can ensure smooth arrival of a baby from the womb of its mother. Ragas can have an ‘equalising effect’ on the mind. For example, sometimes concerts are concluded with raga madhyamavati. This raga takes the first three notes in the cycle of fifths and fourths (samvada dvaya) and naturally has a high degree of rakti. When sung at the end, it imparts a state of tranquility. While saama raga restore mental peace, bhupalam and malayamaarudham when sung before dawn serves to wake up people from slumber. Dvijaavanti raga gives relief to a paralytic patient, Bilahari is recommended for depression and nadanamakriya can soften adamant people and even hardened criminals.

THERAPEUTIC COMPOTENTS IN SOME RAGAS

It is the intuitive use of resonance in the tones that lend individuality to ragas. Not only that, it is the way the swaras are selectively used which impacts our mind and moods. For instance, the soothing touch in the tivra madhyam in kalyani which in interspersed with other 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 high blood pressure.

Malkauns can be prescribed for those suffering from low blood pressure. The oscillations in gandhar, dhaivat and in nishaad could be the reason behind elevation of one’s spirit as well as blood pressure.

Darbari, the late night raga, is ideal for soothing the nerves and reducing stress and tension. It is often used in devotional music as it brings peace and tranquility.

Shiva Ranjani, an ideal raga for the night, is accredited for improving one’s intelligence quotient.
Tambura or tanpura, the Indian drone instrument, is just not a drone of achala swaras, the tonic and the fifth spilling out monotony all the way. The harmonics emanating from the heart of this instrument over a period of time, say 15 to 20 minutes a day - also assure peace all around.

Though there are no hard and fast rules regarding music treatments sessions, some recommend a daily session at a fixed time. In a typical therapeutic session, the patient is provided with an instrument or a piece of notation. In the true mano dharma sangita, the patient is encouraged to carry on whatever he feels like doing with them till an emotional bond develops between the two. The patient is also encouraged to use his vocal chords to create musical and emotional environment. As the patient’s response to the challenges increases, it provides experience for socialization, improves self-confidence and communication skills. Rhythm instruments have been found to be useful for this type of therapeutic goals, particularly in the case of hyperactive patients.

Though the mechanism of healing is still a mystery, there is a great deal of belief that music stimulates the pituitary glands, whose secretions affect the nervous system and the blood flow. It is also believed that for healing with music, the cells of the body need to be vibrated. It is through these vibrations that the patient’s consciousness is changed effectively to promote health. Several psychiatrists have confirmed the usefulness of music therapy for neuroses.

Lively music is found to be useful for depression, while melodious music played on string instruments can be effective in treating anxiety. European experiments have endorsed that a 15-minute session of soothing melodies can lull a patient into a sense of well-being before a painful operation. Music has also been found to nudge some patients into making movement, which they cannot do otherwise.

Musical experience is unique in the sense that it can impart an experience of extraordinary freedom to rise beyond limitation of one’s physical beings. In other words, one’s consciousness level can be increased to the next higher realm, with the appropriate dose of music.

Meditative music, where melody and rhythm are combined with inspirational words and expressions (bhajans, kirtans, chanting of shlokas) enhances concentration and helps the mind to focus inwards. In this way, one can also experience a deep state of relaxation which cannot be achieved by intake of chemicals like drugs, etc, which have their side-effects as well.
Music as a therapy is not exclusive, it is meant for all patients. From terminally ill to the temporary sufferer, music suits everybody as it involves no side-effects. Alzheimer patients, chronic pain sufferers, premature infants, terminals patients - all respond to the healing power of music.

In some western countries, low-paid workers and those work in noisy factories, are given free passes to attend musical concerts. There is a real joy when people attend to live music. Even in offices, melodious music has already started creating conducive environment of harmony and bonhomie, reducing tension and stress.

Thus, music therapy has established itself as a dependable health care system using music and musical activities. In combination with other healing methods such as yoga, acupuncture, music is found to be greatly efficacious. Regardless of age and disabilities, music has proved itself useful in bringing harmony and happiness in the lives of many people.

The writer is Member (Technical), Customs, Excise & Service Tax