Raga Chikitsa: a study of Indian music therapy

method of self-healing

AIMS• To investigate the curative roles of

classical Indian raga as a method of self-healing.

• To investigate the current status of Raga Chikitsa (Indian music therapy) in India and other countries.

The ancient Indians had relied on music for its curative role.

-Not just for entertainment.

• Indians recognized that vibrations in raga’s resonance could synchronize with one’s moods and health.

• “By stimulating the moods and controlling the brain wave patterns, ragas could work as a complementary medicine.”

(Sairam, 2004).

What is ‘Raga Chikitsa’?

What is raga?

The sequence of selected notes (‘swaras’) that give appropriate mood or emotion in a selective combination.

According to Bagchii (2004), Raga Chikitsa was an ancient manuscript which dealt with the therapeutic effects of raga.

• Playing, performing and even listening to appropriate ragas can work as a medicine.

(Bagchi, 2004)

Diseases  and Ragas to listenTuberculosis – MeghmalharChronic Headache – Darbari, Jayjayvanti, GunkahHypertension – GorakhKalyan, Bhimpalas, PuriyaDepression – NatnarayanCold, Cough – Gurjantodi, BhairaviParalysis – JayjayvantiLoss of Appetite – Deepak, ChandrakaunsRheumatoid Arthritis – Bhairav, Ahirbhairav, GunkaliFlatulence, gas – Malkauns, JaunpuriSkin disorders – Asavari

How does it work?

• Various ragas have since been recognized to have definite impact on certain ailments. (Sairam, 2004b)

• They are capable of leading to relaxation, as observed with the alpha-levels of the brain waves. They may also lead to favourable hormonal changes in the system. (Crandall, 1986).

IMPORTANT PEOPLE

Dr. T.V. Sairam

SRI SWAMIJI

• Sri Swamiji has pioneered the reinvention and popularization of "Raagaragini Vidya", an ancient musical tradition that is claimed to cure ailments.

• Sri Swamiji conducts tours of the world to spread spirituality and holds concerts claimed to provide healing benefits. He has installed Datta temples in India, the United States of America (USA) and the West Indies

Dr. Suvarna NalapatDr Nalapat is an advocate of music therapy.

She uses Indian classical music for Raga Chikitsa.

Publications: ‘Without a Stumble: A book on the Spirituality of Music' gives an introduction to music therapy and ‘Raagachikitsa’.

“Though as ancient as the Indian culture itself, is a comparatively new discipline in modern India. It should be viewed as integrated medicine, person-oriented and family medicine.’’

– Dr. Suvarna Nalapat

THE FUTURE OF RAGA

• 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.

• Modern science and medicine are now rediscovering the healing powers of music.

SSG medical hospital, Vdodara, India

reveals that some of the classical ragas positively influenced the body, mind and spirits of the sufferers from Asthma, and other stress-related disorders.

• In the West, it is now an accepted form of treatment.

e.g. In USA, raga Gorakh Kalyan is successfully used in hospitals to cure Hypertension.

CONCLUSION

• Increase awareness in the use of ragas as a safe therapeutic way.

• Music therapy is getting momentum in the present era.

VIDEOS

Classical Indian Music Therapy at Gold Coast, Australia

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vlVwnTTxU4

REFERENCES

1) Bagchi, K. (Ed.) Music, Mind and Mental Health New Delhi: Society for Gerontological Research

2) Sairam, T. V. (2004 a) . Medicinal Music. Chennai: Nada Centre for Music Therapy

3) Sairam T. V. (2004 b). Raga Therapy. Chennai: Nada Centre for Music Therapy. Crandall

4) Crandall, J. (1986) Self-tranformation through music