Abstract

“Unveiling the Significance of Indian Classical Music in the Modern World” undertakes thorough research into the long-term influence and applicability of Indian classical music in contemporary society. The transformational quality of the art form is meticulously explored, which presents it as a timeless embodiment of human creativity and spirituality.  Furthermore, it explores the basis of this genre of music which include deep philosophy and spirituality having ties to Indian philosophy, spirituality and cultural identity. It highlights the enduring significance of Indian classical music in the modern world as an epitome of cultural identity, artistic and creative innovations, and spiritual nourishment.

Key Words: Indian classical music, modern world, Spirituality, Philosophy.

Introduction:

Indian classical music carries the enduring legacy of a rich-culture tradition, spirituality and artistic expressions. This genre of music has transcended temporal boundaries to resonate with audiences worldwide with its deeply rooted origins of ancient customs and cultural development shaping over centuries.

The Indian classical music is regarded as one of the oldest art forms which origins can be traced back more than five thousand years to Vedic chants. This art form is built upon a twelve-note scale consisting of seven pure or ‘Suddha’ notes and five altered or ‘Komal’ and ‘Tivra’ notes. To comprehend and value this art form, it is necessary to understand three essential concepts: 1. Raga, which denotes the melodic structure. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a raga is defined as “a pattern of musical notes used as a basis for improvisation” (Singha, 2014). 2. Taal signifies the rhythmic structure, and 3. Ras-Bhaw represents the overall mood or emotional core of the composition.

Indian classical music has recently garnered significant scholarly attention globally with its therapeutic potential. However, if one delves into the art form, the potential of the Indian classical music, also known as ‘Sashtriya Sangeet’, has long been acknowledged for its profound impact. The concept of ‘Raga Chikitsa’ referring to ‘healing through ragas’ has been practiced for centuries and is documented in manuscripts. Recent studies on this age-old practice have shown that the exposure to Indian classical music post-surgery can expedite recovery (Sundar, 2017). The studies also encourage the art form as a remedy for alleviating depression, a pressing concern among today’s youth (Tripathi, 2017).

            Albert Einstein acknowledged the importance of music on his intellectual pursuits stating, “It occurred to me through intuition, and music played a significant role in that intuition. My breakthrough was a result of musical perception.” Swami Vivekananda once added, “Music alone can take you to the highest.” These illustrations provide compelling evidence of the spiritual essence inherent in music (Kripakaranda, 2023).

Delving into the insights of this rich artform’s enduring significance and profound influence in the complexities of modern societies is the prime focus of this study. It aims on elucidating the impact of Indian classical music on both individual and collective levels through an interdisciplinary lens encompassing musicology, medicine, anthropology, sociology, philosophy and psychology.

Findings and Discussion:

1. Stress Alleviation and Calmness

Stress has seamlessly integrated itself as a constant companion in the hustle-bustle of our modern lifestyles, unconsciously dominating over both our physical vitality and mental stability. Alarming health issues due to stress, anxiety or depressions have paced particularly among the working age group. A report of the World Health Organisation (WHO) published in September 2023 states that “around 301 million people has been affected by anxiety disorder and the symptoms mostly onset during teenage years.” If not treated, depression may lead to suicide. In India, the suicide rates have been increasing. In 2020, suicide rate of 11.3 was recorded, followed by increased rate of 12.0 in 2021 and 12.4 in 2021 (National Crime Records Bureau, 2022).

Regular engagement with Indian classical music reduces stress and enhances well-being due to its precisely calculated melodic and rhythmic structures (Serenade, 2023). This study was published in the Journal of Advanced Research in Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy. Furthermore, it’s believed that the 72 parent ragas (melakartas) can have effect upon 72 major nerves in the body, which would further promote harmony (Singh, 2021). The study of Tripathi (2017) on “Raga therapy as an effective treatment for depression,” discovered significant mental health improvements in patients suffering from depression after continuous 10 days of exposure to Indian classical music for 15 minutes each day.

Indian classical music offers a calm and serene haven for the weary amidst constant digital cacophony and sensory overload. Immersing oneself into this genre of music either through listening or practicing, would experience a potent remedy for dealing daily stress. It allows individuals to momentarily detach from the frantic pace of life and combat the concerning rise of anxiety and depression. 

• The Highest form of Meditation: Music for the soul

Our ancient scriptures have the following take on music as meditation:

Translates to: “Those who are enlightened in the profound musical aspects likeshruti, jati, tala and playing of the veena attain salvation effortlessly.” (Kripakaranda, 2023) Famous professor of religious studies, Houston Smith says “At their best, (the arts) they transport us to a higher plane of existence. I can’t tell you how they do this. It’s truly magical. But when it happens, we know something different is happening. And what happens is identical with authentic religious experience.” (Kripakaranda, 2023). Indian classical music has a strong meditative essence. The leisurely tempo and intricate melodies have a soothing effect, gently guiding the mind towards tranquillity.

Music has the potential to lower blood pressure and stress levels significantly (Komaroff, 2015). It is believed to release endorphins, which are the body’s natural feel-good hormones (Hoffer, et.al., 2022). Immersing oneself on a very introspective journey of renowned artists such as Pandit Nikhil Banerjee (Sitar), Ustad Ali Akbar Khan (Sarod), and Ustad Amir Khan (Vocal) leads to a meditative voyage as these artists delve into the most profound aesthetic potentials of ragas.

•  Cognitive Advantages

Indian classical music requires listeners to participate actively. In order to grasp the intricate patterns, nuances, and improvisations that unfold during a performance, one must engage intently. When listeners immerse themselves into the melodic and rhythmic complexities, it naturally sharpens their focus, promoting mindfulness. The Indian classical music naturally cultivates a heightened sense of creativity as it mostly relies on spontaneous improvisation. The years of extensive training and practice, referred to as ‘Taalim’ or ‘Riyaz’ are devoted solely to unlocking the boundless and ultimate realms of creative artistic expressions.

Engaging to Indian classical music offers cognitive benefits. The repetitive musical phrases and emotional depth helps in improving memory recall and retention. Problem-solving and analytical skills are stimulated by the dynamic nature of ever-changing melodies and rhythms. Participating in prolonged performances fosters improvement in concentration, attention and focus span. Furthermore, exposure or engagement to Indian classical music provides positive impacts in improving spatial-temporal reasoning. Which is a critical skill for mathematics and complex problem-solving (Serenade, 2023).

• Understanding of Culture and Tradition

Indian classical music is a potent tool for fostering cultural awareness, appreciation and understanding. Having its deep ties to ancient traditions and customs, this art form offers a distinctive insight on India’s culturally abundant diversity. As mentioned in text, this art form is regarded as one of the oldest art forms still practiced to date. Through its journey, the art form has undergone numerous transformations. Exploring and investigating those transformations helps us to enhance our understanding and connects to our cultural roots. When embarking on a cultural voyage, an individual discovers narratives, myths and legends that have impacted the continuous development of the art form.

Furthermore, the Indian classical music is firmly grounded in Indian philosophy and history. It provides listeners of all backgrounds a gateway to Indian philosophy and history, offering insightful knowledge of these disciplines. Indians take pride of the rich cultural history the nation holds in various aspects, which has astounded Westerners. It is necessary and appreciative to explore the vast ocean of knowledge and wisdom that our music offers prior attempting to understand and appreciate foreign cultures.

Conclusion:

Indian classical music has great significance in the modern world because it is firmly anchored in spirituality, tradition and customs. The art form serves as an epitome of cultural identity, artistic innovation and spiritual nourishment. This study highlights the therapeutic potential of Indian classical music in reducing stress, improving mental health, and boosting cognitive abilities. Furthermore, the importance and necessity of promoting awareness and appreciation of culture by providing insights into India’s rich philosophical traditions and heritage is highlighted. For ensuring its preservation, support young musicians, cultural education, and multidisciplinary studies are crucial. Indian classical music stands as a timeless embodiment of human creativity and spirituality, enriching lives over generations.

References:

Hoffer, M., Avirett, J., Bocharski, K., & Costa, J. D. (2022, December 2). How music affects your mind, mood and body. Tallahassee Memorial Health.

Komaroff, A. (2015, January 18). Is there a connection between music and health? Longwood Seminars. Music as Medicine: The impact of healing harmonies, Boston.

Kripakaranda, S. (2023). Classical Music, Kolkata and Spirituality. (G. Nag, Ed.) Kolkata: The Registrar, Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata.

National Crime Records Bureau. (2022). Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India 2022 (p. 196). https://www.ncrb.gov.in/uploads/files/AccidentalDeathsSuicidesinIndia2022v2.pdf   

Serenade. (2023, July 21). Serenade The Music Of India. Retrieved from Serenade: india.serenademagazine.com

Singh, P. (2021). Exploring Current Music Therapy Practices in India. Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy, 21(3).

Singha, V. P. (2014). Introduction to Hindustani Classical Music A Guide Book for Begineers (1st ed.). New Delhi: Roli Books.

Sundar. S. (2007). Traditional healing systems and modern music therapy in India. Music Therapy Today (Online) Vol.VIII (3). Available at http:// musictherapyworld.net

Tripathi, J. L., & Sharma, A. (2017). Raga therapy as an effective treatment for depression. Journal of Psychology & Psychotherapy, 2161–0487.  

World Health Organization. (2023, September 27). Anxiety disorders. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/anxiety-disorders