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The Hindu
05-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Indian Raga therapy: How IIT Mandi study links classical music to brain and emotional health
IIT Mandi conducted a study that connects ancient India's musical heritage with modern neuroscience. Research led by Prof. Laxmidhar Behera, Director, IIT Mandi, has shown how listening to Indian classical Ragas can influence brain activity by enhancing levels of attention, emotional regulation, and mental stability. The researchers, however, say that translating Raga Therapy into a clinical or commercial offering will require further systematic investigation. Research procedure The study, conducted in collaboration with IIT Kanpur, involved 40 participants who were exposed to Indian Ragas. These 40 right-handed male participants were aged between 19 to 29 years, with a mean age being 23.10. They had no formal musical training and were recruited via an electronic announcement. All the participants were healthy college students. Exclusion criteria included neurological or hearing disorders and recent use of psychotropic medication. Each participant was exposed to approximately nine minutes of music, standardised across the cohort to ensure consistency in data collection and comparability of results. The research spanned over 2.5 years, with each participant undergoing a single experimental session. The study is ongoing, and follow-up experiments with 15 female participants have shown consistent results. The study utilised advanced electroencephalogram (EEG) microstate analysis, a real-time brain-mapping technique that captures momentary yet significant patterns of neural activity. Participants' brain activity was recorded using EEG under two conditions: listening to Indian classical ragas and resting silence. 'This design allowed for a clear comparison of the neurological impact of music versus a passive, quiet baseline', the researchers said. The EEG test employs small metal electrodes, known as Microstates, that often last only a few milliseconds and are used to represent the brain's transient modes of operation, such as attention, emotional engagement, or mind-wandering. Brain cells communicate through electrical impulses, and this activity is represented as wavy lines on an EEG recording. The researchers chose two Raagas: Raga Darbari and Raga Jogiya. Raga Jogiya is associated with deeper, reflective emotions, based on their emotional profiles in the Nav Rasa framework. Darbari is known to enhance focus and tranquility, while Jogiya is known to activate emotion regulation and introspection. The participants were not informed of the study's intent, minimising expectation bias. Additionally, in another study, a control experiment was conducted with noise instead of music. Unlike Indian classical music, noise did not lead to significant improvements in attention or reduction in mind-wandering, reinforcing the specific effects of Raga therapy. What the study showed Following the experiment, the research revealed that Raga Darbari, known for its soothing qualities, was found to increase attention-related microstates while reducing those associated with mind-wandering, indicating deeper focus and cognitive clarity. In contrast, Raga Jogiya, a melancholic melody, not only enhanced attentional networks but also activated emotion-regulation microstates, enabling listeners to process emotions with calm and composure. It was concluded that listening to traditional compositions, such as Raga Darbari and Raga Jogiya, can alter EEG microstates, fleeting but powerful neural patterns that reflect attention, emotion, and cognitive processing. The researchers say, longer durations of musical exposure are likely to further stabilise EEG microstates. Even in the limited-time protocol, significant increases in microstate duration and stability were observed. The researchers say these results are consistent and can be replicated. 'We experimented on three separate occasions with different participant groups, and each time the results have consistently pointed to the same conclusions. This consistency reinforces the reliability and replicability of our findings regarding the positive impact of Indian Ragas on attention and emotional regulation', the researchers said. Prof. Laxmidhar Behera, Director, IIT Mandi, informed, 'EEG microstates offer a window into how the brain operates at the moment, attention, mind-wandering, or emotional engagement. What we found was that Ragas don't just evoke feelings, they actually reprogram the brain in real-time.' Dr. Ashish Gupta, Assistant Professor, IIT Mandi and first author of this study, emphasized that the shifts observed in neural activity were not random, stated, 'The data showed repeatable, consistent transitions after exposure to the Ragas, suggesting Indian Classical music can serve as a powerful tool for mental wellness. EEG data consistently showed how music exposure, compared to silence, shifted the brain into more stable and functional patterns'. Prof. Braj Bhushan of IIT Kanpur is also the co-author of the study. Health benefits? The researchers conducted a similar study in 2018. That early research primarily demonstrated that listening to Indian Ragas can significantly enhance cognitive performance. The researchers cite several independent studies that have reported the beneficial effects of Raga therapy in managing hypertension and type 2 diabetes. Rao and Nagendra (2014) demonstrated that both active and silent music interventions positively influenced energy fields in type 2 diabetes patients using electron photonic imaging. 'While these studies do not claim a definitive cure, they do demonstrate the therapeutic value of Raga listening as a secondary or supplementary intervention', the researchers said. The way forward The research team suggests that listening to Raga Darbari before exams or important meetings may improve focus, while Raga Jogiya could help manage emotional overwhelm or grief. The study doesn't just underscore how people feel in response to music; it demonstrates how the brain structurally responds, offering new potential for music-based interventions in cognitive and emotional health. The researchers say translating Raga Therapy into a clinical or commercial offering will require further systematic investigation. The next steps involve designing and validating structured, music-based therapeutic modules—tailored for diverse settings such as educational environments, workplace wellness programs, emotional support, and clinical treatment. Rigorous clinical trials will be essential to optimise dosage (duration, frequency), select the most effective Ragas for specific conditions, and establish standardized protocols before broad implementation for patient care. In comparison with Western classical music The researchers say several studies on Western classical music have reported similar outcomes. They conducted a follow-up investigation using Western classical music with international participants. The findings revealed comparable effects on EEG microstate modulation, reinforcing the idea that structured classical music—whether Indian or Western—has a cross-cultural capacity to positively influence brain dynamics. Researchers say, however, that Indian Ragas offer a uniquely emotionally structured and mood-specific experience. Rooted in the Nav Rasa framework, each Raga is crafted to evoke a particular emotional landscape. The therapeutic use of Raga, often termed 'Raga Chikitsa,' has existed in India for centuries. While these results are promising, more rigorous and systematic scientific studies are needed in this domain, researchers say. Both studies have been peer-reviewed and published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, a global journal.
Hans India
03-07-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Listening to Indian ragas can boost mental stability: IIT Mandi study
Listening to Raga Darbari - known for its soothing and uplifting qualities - before exams or important meetings may improve focus, while Raga Jogiya - a melancholic melody - could help manage emotional overwhelm or grief. The shifts observed in neural activity were not random. The data showed repeatable, consistent transitions after exposure to the ragas, suggesting Indian classical music can serve as a powerful tool for mental wellness. The EEG data consistently showed how music exposure, compared to silence, shifted the brain into more stable and functional patterns. EEG microstates offer a window into how the brain operates moment, attention, mind-wandering, or emotional engagement. What we found was that Ragas don't just evoke feelings, they actually reprogramme the brain in real time, it is remarkable to see how these ancient melodies consistently guide the brain into more stable and focused patterns Amid rising mental health challenges such as stress, burnout, and attention deficits, a new study by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi showed that Indian classical ragas can potentially enhance levels of attention, emotional regulation, and mental stability. The study, conducted in collaboration with IIT Kanpur, provides scientific validation for music as a therapeutic tool: one that is culturally resonant and non-invasive. The research, which involved 40 participants exposed to the ragas, utilised advanced electroencephalogram (EEG) microstate analysis - a real-time brain-mapping technique that captures momentary yet significant patterns of neural activity. The findings, published in the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, suggests that listening to Raga Darbari - known for its soothing and uplifting qualities -- before exams or important meetings may improve focus, while Raga Jogiya - a melancholic melody - could help manage emotional overwhelm or grief. The shifts observed in neural activity were not random, said first author Dr. Ashish Gupta, Assistant Professor, IIT Mandi. 'The data showed repeatable, consistent transitions after exposure to the ragas, suggesting Indian classical music can serve as a powerful tool for mental wellness. The EEG data consistently showed how music exposure, compared to silence, shifted the brain into more stable and functional patterns,' added Gupta. The EEG test employed small metal electrodes, known as 'microstates', which often last only a few milliseconds and represent the brain's transient modes of operation, such as attention, emotional engagement, or mind-wandering. Brain cells communicate through electrical impulses, and this activity is represented as wavy lines on an EEG recording. The research revealed that Raga Darbari and Raga Jogiya can fundamentally alter EEG microstates, and show fleeting but powerful neural patterns that reflect attention, emotion, and cognitive processing. 'EEG microstates offer a window into how the brain operates moment, attention, mind-wandering, or emotional engagement. What we found was that Ragas don't just evoke feelings, they actually reprogramme the brain in real time, it is remarkable to see how these ancient melodies consistently guide the brain into more stable and focused patterns,' said Prof Laxmidhar Behera, Director, IIT Mandi. The study also observed an overall increase in brain stability across participants, with microstates becoming longer and more grounded, indicating a calmer, more focused mind.
NDTV
02-07-2025
- Health
- NDTV
Indian Classical Ragas Transform Mind And Emotions, IIT Study Finds
Indian classical Ragas can influence brain activity, a study conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology Mandi (IIT-Mandi), in collaboration with IIT Kanpur, revealed. The study, published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, found that the Ragas enhance attention and provide emotional regulation and mental stability. Stress, mental overload and emotional disconnection are becoming common across all age groups, with people seeking meaningful and sustainable ways to find emotional balance. "This is where the Indian classical musical system stands out-not just as an art form, but as a highly refined, structured science of emotion and consciousness," Prof. Laxmidhar Behera, Director of IIT Mandi, told NDTV. "Each Raga is crafted to evoke specific emotional states (Nav Rasa), guiding the mind from tension to tranquillity, and from heaviness to clarity and joy." The study, which included 40 participants, found that Indian classical music guides the brain into more stable and focused patterns, and exposure to Ragas leads to consistent transitions in neural activity, suggesting music's potential as a tool for mental wellness. The research employed advanced EEG microstate analysis, which is a real-time brain-mapping technique that captures momentary but meaningful patterns of neural activity. These "microstates" often last just tens of milliseconds and represent the brain's transient modes of operation, such as attention and emotional engagement. The study highlights the therapeutic potential of Indian Classical music, rooted in cultural wisdom, for developing personalised music-based mental health support tools. The measurable impact of specific Ragas on these brain states makes this study exceptional. For example, Raga Darbari increases attention-related microstates while reducing mind-wandering, indicating deeper focus and cognitive clarity. Recommended for improving focus before exams or important meetings. Raga Jogiya, on the other hand, enhances attentional networks and activates emotion-regulation microstates, enabling listeners to process emotions with calm and composure. The research team suggests that listening to Raga Darbari before exams or important meetings may improve focus, while Raga Jogiya could help manage emotional overwhelm or grief. Ashish Gupta, the first author of the study, emphasised that the shifts observed in neural activity were not random. "The data showed repeatable, consistent transitions after exposure to the Ragas, suggesting Indian Classical music can serve as a powerful tool for mental wellness," he said. Is it a workable model? Prof Behera told NDTV that it is "absolutely" a workable model, with its foundation already strong. "The therapeutic use of Raga, often termed " Raga Chikitsa," has existed in India for centuries," he said. "What's new today is the scientific validation of its effects on the brain and emotions through tools like EEG and neuroimaging. The core science is robust and shows consistent patterns of cognitive and emotional benefits." Prof Behera said that now a "structured implementation" is needed, such as designing music-based therapeutic modules that are customised for different contexts-education, corporate stress, emotional care, or clinical support. "With thoughtful scaling, collaboration between scientists, therapists, and musicians, and integration into digital platforms or wellness apps, this ancient practice can become a globally accessible and scalable tool for mental well-being," he added. Professor Braj Bhushan of IIT Kanpur, co-author of the study, said in a press release, "This work reveals the remarkable capacity of Indian Classical music to engage cognitive and emotional systems. It opens a new path for developing personalised, music-based mental health support tools rooted in India's cultural wisdom." A parallel study on Western participants confirmed similar effects of classical music on brain microstates, indicating the universal neurological power of classical music.
India Today
30-06-2025
- Health
- India Today
Listening to Indian ragas improves focus and emotional balance: IIT Mandi study
In a remarkable fusion of traditional Indian music and modern neuroscience, IIT Mandi researchers have provided scientific proof that listening to Indian classical ragas can positively influence brain study recommends listening to Raga Darbari before exams or meetings to improve focus, and Raga Jogiya in times of stress or emotional research, led by Prof. Laxmidhar Behera, Director of IIT Mandi, in collaboration with IIT Kanpur, shows how specific ragas help improve focus, manage emotions, and bring mental The findings were published in the journal Frontiers in Human A WINDOW INTO THE BRAINThe study focused on EEG microstates, short-lived but meaningful patterns of brain activity. These patterns, which last only milliseconds, reflect different mental states such as attention, emotional response, or advanced EEG analysis, researchers tracked how participants' brains responded to specific ragas. The study involved 40 participants and monitored changes in their brain activity in real DARBARI AND JOGIYAThe results showed that Raga Darbari, known for its soothing tone, increased brain microstates related to attention and reduced those linked to mind-wandering. This suggests that the raga helps listeners stay focused and contrast, Raga Jogiya, which has a melancholic feel, also strengthened attentional networks but more importantly activated brain patterns associated with emotional control. This indicates that it can help people manage feelings like sadness or VALIDATION OF INDIAN MUSICAL WISDOMadvertisement'This study shows that Indian classical music has a real effect on how our brains work,' said Professor Behera. 'It is fascinating that ancient melodies can guide the brain towards more focused and stable states.'Lead researcher Ashish Gupta noted that these changes were consistent and repeatable, suggesting Indian ragas could become useful tools for improving mental health in non-invasive and culturally resonant validating the results, a parallel study on Western participants revealed similar brain responses, confirming the universal neurological power of classical music across cultures.A FUTURE OF HEALING IN TRADITIONAL STRAINSCo-author Prof. Braj Bhushan of IIT Kanpur highlighted the broader potential: 'This research opens a new path for personalised, music-based mental health tools that are both scientifically effective and culturally meaningful.'The findings underline how ancient traditions and modern science can work together, showing that solutions for mental well-being may lie in our cultural past.- Ends
Hans India
30-06-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Listening to Indian ragas can enhance attention, boost mental stability: IIT Mandi
New Delhi: Amid rising mental health challenges such as stress, burnout, and attention deficits, a new study by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi on Monday showed that Indian classical ragas can potentially enhance levels of attention, emotional regulation, and mental stability. The study, conducted in collaboration with IIT Kanpur, provides scientific validation for music as a therapeutic tool: one that is culturally resonant and non-invasive. The research, which involved 40 participants exposed to the ragas, utilised advanced electroencephalogram (EEG) microstate analysis -- a real-time brain-mapping technique that captures momentary yet significant patterns of neural activity. The findings, published in the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, suggests that listening to Raga Darbari -- known for its soothing and uplifting qualities -- before exams or important meetings may improve focus, while Raga Jogiya -- a melancholic melody -- could help manage emotional overwhelm or grief. The shifts observed in neural activity were not random, said first author Dr. Ashish Gupta, Assistant Professor, IIT Mandi. 'The data showed repeatable, consistent transitions after exposure to the ragas, suggesting Indian classical music can serve as a powerful tool for mental wellness. The EEG data consistently showed how music exposure, compared to silence, shifted the brain into more stable and functional patterns,' added Gupta. The EEG test employed small metal electrodes, known as 'microstates', which often last only a few milliseconds and represent the brain's transient modes of operation, such as attention, emotional engagement, or mind-wandering. Brain cells communicate through electrical impulses, and this activity is represented as wavy lines on an EEG recording. The research revealed that Raga Darbari and Raga Jogiya can fundamentally alter EEG microstates, and show fleeting but powerful neural patterns that reflect attention, emotion, and cognitive processing. 'EEG microstates offer a window into how the brain operates moment, attention, mind-wandering, or emotional engagement. What we found was that Ragas don't just evoke feelings, they actually reprogramme the brain in real time, it is remarkable to see how these ancient melodies consistently guide the brain into more stable and focused patterns,' said Prof Laxmidhar Behera, Director, IIT Mandi. The study also observed an overall increase in brain stability across participants, with microstates becoming longer and more grounded, indicating a calmer, more focused mind.
