Music
is a universal language. It spans continents, languages
and sensibilities. From time immemorial, music has
been a part of Indian culture. All forms of celebrations
have always been accompanied by music. The type of
music varies according to religion, region and customs.
But its appeal is universal. The saints and seers
of ancient India recognized the importance of music.
Saints like Kabir, Tulsidas, Namdeo, Tukaram and Meerabai
obtained 'Moksha' through music. In the Vedas too,
music has an important place. The 'Samveda' is full
of music. Hymns have been known to have a positive
effect on human beings. The doshas like Vata, Pitta
and Kapha can be controlled effectively by Music Therapy.
Music can play an effective role in helping us lead
better, fruitful lives. Listening to devotional music
in the early hours of the morning gets one ready to
face the challenges that the day has to offer. In
the evenings, after a stressful day at work, the right
kind of music helps one relax and refresh. Even during
the course of working, light music improves efficiency.
Listening to music helps control negative aspects
of our personalities like worry, bias and anger. In
addition, it can help cure headache, abdominal pain
and tension. Music therapy is one of the most effective
ways of controlling emotions, blood pressure and restoring
the functioning of the liver.
The
origin of Indian music is in the principle of creativity.
Indian music attaches a great degree of importance
to a calm and thoughtful state of mind as opposed
to the provocative nature of western music. The attainment
of intense concentration is the prime aim of Indian
music. It also aims at liberating us from the bonds
of life and death. The law of physiology states that
when the mind is concentrated, the blood circulation
is balanced. Such a body with a balanced circulation
cannot be affected by any disease. Music can therefore
play an important role in keeping us healthy. The
ragas in Indian music are based on principles which
provide for different feelings like irritation, happiness,
sorrow and so on. It has been established that certain
ragas have the power of evoking feelings of happiness,
sorrow, pain and anger. For example, raga 'Todi' can
elicit tears while 'Shankhadhani' has the power to
refresh. Rage 'Bhairavi' encourages detachment while
'Yaman' creates serenity. Background music also proves
to be a panacea for many ills. Music is capable of
improving happiness, peace, health and concentration.
It is however important to know the method and duration
for which Music Therapy is to be administered. This
knowledge can be obtained through regular experiments
and experience. The first step towards this is the
correct diagnosis of the disease and then the selection
of the precise raga that will be helpful. Procedure,
discipline and a systematic method will help achieve
this goal.