Mindfulness
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is a state of mind where we will not think about our past or future.It’s all about being present. Mindfulness can reset and relax our mind. Indrani Mukherjee has developed “Panchajanya Om” a unique form of mindfulness! This mindfulness physiology and music therapy method using Indian classical music has been observed to produce beneficial effects on people suffering from autism, ADHD, stress, anxiety, anger issues, depression, dementia and forgetfulness.
How does mindfulness work?
Now a days 9 in 10 people (children and adults) experience stress, tension, anxiety, depression in their daily lives and have a hard time relaxing and calming down their minds. Due to Covid19 pandemic in 2020,the people all over the world are dealing with very restless situation which has added to panic, depression & stress. These put them at high risk of different diseases and illnesses. So these days mindfulness is being practiced in schools, colleges, sports teams, corporate house. Army people are also adopting it.
The origins of Indian classical music can be found in the Vedas. In Sanskrit, “Veda” means “Knowledge.” According to most scholars, Indian classical music is probably the world’s oldest continuous vocal tradition which started between 1500 – 1200 BC.
The practice dates back at least 3,000 years. The Veda sages, also known as Rishis, wrote the texts after intense meditation. The texts have been carefully preserved since ancient times.
There are four major Vedic text groups called, “Samhitas”: the Rigveda, the Samaveda, the Yajurveda, and the Atharvaveda. The Samaveda, also known as the Veda of the Chants, are sung in hymns that are complex, melodic.
Instruments used for Indian classical music
Tanpura
Tabla
Harmonium
Singing style of Indian classical music
Indian classical music singing style is kind of a single syllable of text while moving between several different notes in succession.This style is referred to as melismatic . It is a melodic framework for improvisation and composition with appropriate aesthetic sense and feelings.
In Western classical music, there are seven basic notes in the ascending tonal order: Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So, La, and Ti. Indian classical music has the same assortment of notes, in ascending tonal order: Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, and Ni.
Indian classical music is based on different Raags and consists of Tal, Loye, Rhythm, Chanda, and imagination with appropriate aesthetic sense and feelings. Indian classical music is based on two main elements: Raga (a specific pattern of notes) and Tala (beats). This wonderful structure can “color the mind” of the audience with a melodic mood. The colors are created by the Ragas, which means color in Sanskrit.
Connection between mindfulness and Indian classical music
The Indian classical musician performs a raga which is a combination of rhythms, beats and melody. These three things at a time resonates in their brain. Each performance is based melodically on ragas and rhythmically on talas. Raga and tala (beat) are the two foundational elements of Indian classical music. There are different types of ragas and talas (beats). These are created for different times of the day, moods and seasons. Each raga has its own different approach which can create an atmosphere of enjoyment for the listener. Raga and tala are considered a means in Indian classical musical tradition to evoke certain feelings in the audience. Raga can transform an agitating mind to a peaceful and relaxing mind in the present moment which is mindfulness. That creates an increased sense of wellbeing.
Beneficial effects of Indian Classical Music through Mindfulness!
Indian classical music is based on the ragas ("colors"), allows for a much greater degree of "personalization" of the performance, almost to the level of jazz-like improvisation. Thus, each performance of a raga is different. Indian ragas are assigned to specific times of the day (or night) and to specific seasons.
Like Western classical music, Indian classical music divides the octave into 12 semitones of which the 7 basic notes are, in ascending tonal order, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni for Indian Classical music and similar to Western music's Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti.
I observed some beneficial effects of different Indian Classical Ragas, Tempos & Rhythms on children in the age group of 11--20 over a period of few years. I studied the effect of different types of ragas and intra raga elements such as slow and different levels of rapid motion tempo of the ragas. I have also discovered that Ragas as performed in live concerts need to be modified to be beneficial for mindfulness. Some of the modifications include speed, beats, rhythm patterns and so the mindfulness raga becomes entirely different from the ragas performed in live concerts.
In one of the sessions I was trying to improvise the calm and quietness which is the essence of the raga I was singing. At the beginning some children were a little restless. When I started singing the raga which is an evening raga I observed that group which was restless would all become very relaxed. Some of them would lie down and even fall asleep.
Different types of ragas have different level of impacts. I have seen that ragas produce relaxation, calmness and increased attention. Also this study has shown sensitivity to certain rhythm patterns which have produced beneficial effects. The study over a period few years shows increased level of personal interactions such as trying to discuss the music, attempting to sing and play it and trying to visualize the music by drawing pictures.
Some of the children in the sessions who never made eye contact and were withdrawn have come out of their cocoon and have now gone onto college and are performing live music. That is the power of these raga compositions.
