Indian Classical Music Research Articles

Raga Bhairavi in virtual reality reduces stress-related psychophysiological markers

The effects of classical music on psychophysiological parameters are not well understood. This study aimed to investigate the impact of listening to raga Bhairavi, an Indian Classical Music for six days on anxiety, stress, depression, and heart rate variability (HRV) parameters. Forty-four individuals were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (VR-raga), where they listened to raga Bhairavi via 360° video in a virtual reality environment, or the control group, where there was no exposure to raga Bhairavi for six days. Before allocation, the HRV baselines (relax-baseline and stress-baseline) were recorded on the first day. On the first and sixth days of the intervention, HRV was monitored, and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) questionnaire was administered before and after the intervention. After six days, all DASS-21 subscales were significantly reduced in the VR-raga group. A similar trend was observed in the seven HRV parameters evaluated in this study, which demonstrated reduced physiological stress and enhanced autonomic balance following the six-day intervention. The findings collectively indicated the efficacy of the VR-based raga Bhairavi intervention in reducing psychological stress markers and highlighted the potential applications of utilizing the VR-based raga intervention for improving mental well-being in the real-world context.

Exploring the Relationship Between Voice Disorders in Indian Classical Music and the Guru-Shishya Parampara Through an Understanding of the Autonomic Nervous System

ABSTRACT The Guru-Shishya Parampara (GSP), translated as the teacher-student tradition, is a lineage-based oral tradition in Indian Classical Music (ICM). This study explores the relationship between GSP’s traditional obedience-authority dynamic and prevalent voice disorders experienced by ICM practitioners. Combining Constructivist Grounded Theory document analysis and a narrative literature review, the research investigates how disciplinarian tendencies and power differentials in authoritarian implementations of the GSP may contribute to or reinforce voice disorders resulting from psychological strain. Adopting the Indigenous Research Paradigm, the study prioritizes insights from ICM practitioners’ lived experiences within the cultural context of ICM within the analysis. A narrative review of existing literature on the links between autonomic nervous system responses associated with psychological stressors and voice disorders is discussed to further understand the impact of authoritarian GSPs on singers’ voices. Literature on compassion is additionally explored to discuss potential solutions to address the identified issues. Through this approach, the study offers insights into the complex interactions between power dynamics, psychological strain, and voice disorders within obedience-expectant GSPs, aiming to contribute to the development of effective interventions, highlighting that which already exists within ICM culture, to promote vocal health and overall well-being in this ancient and culturally significant tradition.

Effect of Indian Classical Music on Flow State and Emotional Competence of Young Adults

The aim of this research study was to see the effect of Indian Classical Music on Flow State and Emotional Competence of young adults. The objectives included studying the difference in flow state and emotional competence of the participants before and after exposure to the Indian classical music intervention track. This was done through comparing the pre test mid test and post test results. The population for this study included a total of 29 young adults between the age group of 22 to 30, a mixture of learners and non-learners of music. It was a - Single Group Pre & Post Experimental Research Design. Convenient sampling method was used. The instrumental music intervention track was set to Raag Miyan ki Malhar, the Emotional Competence Scale, the Flow Short Scale and the feelings wheel were some of the tools used for this research. Results revealed that there was a significant increase in the Flow State dimensions including Fluency, Absorption and a decrease in Worry from pre test to both mid test and post test. This indicates that the Indian classical music intervention was able to promote a state of flow. With regard to emotional competence, the dimensions Ability to Function with Emotions (AFE) and Ability to Cope with Problem Emotions (ACPE) showed a significant increase from pre test to post test indicating that the intervention track was able to have a positive impact on the emotional competence dimensions.

Cortical Sources and Autonomic Nervous System Response of Listening to North Indian Classical Music (P11-1.008)

Cortical Sources and Autonomic Nervous System Response of Listening to North Indian Classical Music (P11-1.008)

Real-time dynamic analysis of EEG Response for Live Indian Classical Vocal Stimulus with Therapeutic Indications

Numerous studies have been conducted on the connection between music and the brain, and it has been established that listening to music directly affects brain activity and stimulation. The potential benefits of music therapy, which uses music as a tool for healing and fostering well-being, have come to light in a number of circumstances. However, there is a gap in understanding the effects of Indian classical music (ICM) on the brain and its therapeutic applications. Yaman and Puria Dhanashree were the two chosen ragas, which share same notes (swaras) and differs in two of their counter notes. The brain responses are captured from five volunteers through 24 channel Electroencephalogram (EEG) cap using a smartphone, which is utilized to allocate electrodes to different regions of the brain. In this work, different automated approaches for identifying brain regions evoked to live ICM stimuli are proposed, considering input and output uncertainties. These approaches are based on automated energy and Mahalanobis distance measurements, and, a region-specific real-time algorithm based on eigen perturbation, which provides a measure to capture the time evolution of brain activity. This identification is relevant in understanding dynamic changes in brain responses during musical experiences providing a more comprehensive perception and processing of ICM in the human brain. Also, significant change in beta band power reduction was observed after music. These approaches can help integrate it into evidence-based music therapy for cognitive, emotional, and psychological conditions. The findings of this study provide evidence indicating ragas activate different brain regions based on listener’s musical knowledge and is a first step for mhealth based applications.

Pertumbuhan Musik Klasik Barat di Kota Medan

Edward Van Ness is a violinist, conductor, writer and teacher who has lived and worked in Indonesia cumulatively for more than forty years. Composition and world music studies were completed at Wesleyan University, conducted at the Eastman School of Music, with further graduate studies also at Boston University. He undertook research on South Indian Classical Music, was a concert player in the Carnatic Vina, and founded the Madras Chamber Orchestra. He founded the music department in 1986 at the Medan International School and became head of the music and technology department at the Indonesian Music Academy, University of North Sumatra and HKBP Nommensen University. A founder of the Indonesian Promusik group. Also known as the conductor and artistic director of the first complete performance of Handel's historic Messiah with the Ensemble Nommensen and Promusika in 1987 (in the original Baroque performance style). He is also known as the first musician invited by the institution and the Vietnamese government by leading the orchestra with cellist Cecylia Barczyk from the Ho Chi Min Conservatory Orchestra in Vietnam in April 2005. Since 2003 he has led the Nusantara Symphony Orchestra in many concerts. . Most recently he was the music director and conductor of the Indonesian National Christmas celebration in December 2018 in Medan. Until now he is a Music Teacher at the Sumatra Conservatoire.

Role of Indian Classical Music in Treating Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias

The prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Alzheimer’s disease related dementias (ADRD) is on rise all around the globe with limited treatment options. Current symptomatic pharmacological treatments are modestly effective and are associated with adverse side effects. Therefore, there is an increased interest in validating non-pharmacological alternatives to treat AD/ADRD. One of such alternatives is music therapy which has recently picked up an upsurge not only in treating mental disorders but also other disparities. Many systematic reviews and meta-analyses using PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Cochrane database searches have revealed that music-based interventions successfully improved mood, depression, anxiety, verbal fluency, gait/motor abnormalities, autobiographic and episodic memory, and cognition, in neurological disorders including AD/ADRD and other dementias. In that regard, targeted effects of Indian Classical Music (Raga) are worth deciphering. In contrast to general emotional upliftment induced by other musical genres, Raga has an ability to evoke specific emotions based on its defined notational structure arranged in a specific ascending/descending order, and these effects are further magnified when the Raga is sung/performed at a designated time of the day based on its circadian specificity. Ragas containing the predominance of major notes are known to activate default mode network via induction of dopaminergic pathways and evoke cheerful/ happy emotions, causing mind-wandering and self-referential mental activity. On the other hand, the Raga becomes incrementally sentimental as the proportion of minor notes increase in a Raga structure. Ragas can affect brain activity, emotions, and autonomic functions. This review elucidates enhanced therapeutic potential of Indian Classical Music (Raga) as an advanced music therapy, that has an ability to exert Raga-specific health-effects in a circadian-specific manner. Raga therapy may be an effective disease-modifying treatment for treating AD and other dementias.

Impact of Listening to Indian Classical Music, or Rāgas, on the Electroencephalogram: A Meta-Analysis.

Ancient Indian classical music (ICM) has long been lauded and recognized for influencing emotional responses by influencing the human body's resonance. A meta-analysis of prospective case studies published in the last ten years on the effect of ancient Indian music rāgas on brain waves is investigated. This meta-analysis aimed to analyze published prospective studies investigating the effect of ancient Indian rāgas on EEG in healthy subjects. The present study included prospective studies published since 2012. Studies were obtained by searching four databases, such as PsychINFO, PubMed, Google Scholar, and JSTOR, and searching related journals. Eligibility criteria included studies assessing the impact of listening to Indian classical music on the EEG. Primary outcomes were changes in the brain waves, frequency, and power and their relationship to activity-related arousal, attention, and mental tasks. The studies were analyzed according to the PRISMA guidelines. There were a total of five included studies with 71 participants in the age range of 19-30, and the conditions for the test groups were generally similar except for varying types of rāgas used and time of day. Analysis of the data collected from 71 participants revealed that music interventions had statistically significant effects on increasing alpha activity and attention scores. Fractal analysis was sensitive enough to detect EEG brainwave changes while and after listening to the rāga musical intervention. Rāgas stimulate arousal in different areas of the brain, depending on the emotions they are designed to evoke. However, the synchronized studies together could not highlight a significant relationship between rāgas and EEG fractal dimension values. Although the meta-analysis failed to reproduce the same results from the individual studies, potentially due to the small sample size and study variation, the meta-analysis opens doors to the potential of rāgas to elicit distinct emotions and serve as robust predictors of emotional response. Future studies can explore the therapeutic potential of various rāgas in the clinical setting, such as in the management of cognitive disorders and stress or in modulating heart rate variability and cognitive performance.

Eternal Elegance: The Resplendent Beauty and Global Impact of Indian Classical Music

This essay delves into the captivating beauty of Indian classical music and its farreaching impact on the global stage. Indian classical music, renowned for its intricate melodies, rhythmic complexities, and spiritual profundity, has captivated audiences worldwide, transcending cultural confines. Through a historical and cultural lens, this essay explores the distinct elements of Indian classical music and its remarkable capacity to evoke emotions, bridge cultural gaps, and nurture cross-cultural appreciation. Additionally, the discussion underscores the significance of various types of Indian classical music and their modern applications, including their therapeutic potential and fusion with other musical genres. Ultimately, the essay emphasizes the enduring influence of Indian classical music and its potential to continue enriching the global cultural tapestry.

The Role of Media in Promoting Hindustani Classical Music

Media has been pivotal in preservation of art for ages. The traditions and cultures have been travelling across generations via media through centuries. And as the media experienced technological advancement, it became more potent and started playing even more crucial role. The ability of the media contents to reach to masses and the preservation of the content has allowed preservation and subsequent promotion of various art forms. This paper concerns with the Indian classical music and the role media played in promoting it. Cinema has been the prime carrier of the art form but other mediums too have played a significant role. The related literature suggests the same and provides evidence for the same. The literature however mostly relates to art in general with very little reference to Indian Classical Music. The objective of this paper is to study the perceived role of media in promoting Indian Classical Music. The study was conducted using survey method on 246 (N) respondents. The data was analysed using statistical analysis including ANOVA and T-Test to find the difference in opinions of the respondents categorised on various basis. The findings suggest that people strongly believe that media has been instrumental in promoting Indian Classical Music. The feeling however is not the same for all mediums but for some mediums like Radio and Cinema. People also believe that reality shows have brought Indian classical music to the fore though it still has not translated into the creation of greater opportunities leading to more financial freedom amongst the classical musicians.

Neural quantification of timbre and emotions from Indian Classical Music: A multifractal exploration

Music is believed to be one of the strongest mediums to affect both psychological and neural responses in humans. In case of Indian Classical Music (ICM), raga rendition has the power of evoking emotions of certain colors due to its characteristic note structures, tempo and method of unfoldment. The aim of this work is to study and understand the neural origin of different timbres (Sitar and Sarod), emotions (happy and sad) and audience category (musician and non-musician), using certain Alaap (without any accompaniment) portions from renditions of several maestros as input signals. Using robust non linear parameters like multifractal width (MW) and asymmetry, we have tried to characterize and compare the EEG responses originating from the temporal, occipital and frontal lobes of brain. From MW and asymmetry tools, significant classification has been obtained for timbre, emotions as well as audience classification. To compute the statistical significance of the results, tools like one-way ANOVA and Mahalanobis Distance (M.D.) were used to compare the two classes under comparison (emotion/timbre/audience category). While ANOVA revealed significant timbre classification for happy clips and significant emotion classification for Sitar clips, M.D. showed prominently higher values for sad clips of both timbres in occipital lobe, significant separation in different lobes were obtained characterizing musicians and non-musicians. The paper presents new and interesting results regarding the neural processing and characterization of timbral and emotional parameters in musicians and non-musicians using Indian Classical Music as the input stimuli.

Digital Innovations in Indian Classical Music Education

This research paper explores the transformative impact of digital innovations on Indian classical music education. The rapid advancement of technology has revolutionized the way students learn and engage with this traditional art form. The paper examines various digital tools and platforms that have reshaped pedagogy, curriculum development, accessibility, and the overall learning experience. By analyzing existing research, case studies, and expert opinions, this paper provides insights into the benefits, challenges, and future directions of digital innovations in Indian classical music education.

Clustering the Raagas of Sankari Sangeet—A Computational Approach

Raaga is the heart of Indian Classical Music. A raaga is an arrangement of 12 notes in the octave. Like Indian classical music, Sankari Sangeets which are composed 500 years ago are also based on raaga. The musicologist of Sankari Sangeet found nearly 26 different raagas in Sankaree Sangeet. Each of these raagas has some specific characteristics such as Aruhana (Ascending order of notes), Avaruhana (Descending order of notes), Pakad, Time of Singing, Vadi swara (Dominant/Important Note), Samvadi swara (Second Dominant Note), etc. This piece of work considers all of the 26 raagas of Sankari Sangeet to statistically cluster on the basis of 18 features extracted from each raaga. For clustering of the raagas, k-prototypes clustering technique is used which gives four clusters of sizes 9, 4, 6, and 7. Also, a comparison is carried out between the clusters obtained from k-prototypes clustering and existing theoretical Thaat-based classification.

Decolonising Voice Research: The Inclusion of Indian Classical music

This article presents a narrative literature review on the decolonisation of voice research through the inclusion of Indian Classical Music (ICM). It utilises the Indigenous paradigm to incorporate the experiences of ICM practitioners, recognising their valuable perspectives and knowledge. The review delves into key aspects of ICM: range, vocal registration, and vocal ornamentation and agility. It explores the specific requirements and techniques employed in these areas, shedding light on the unique stylistic elements of ICM. Furthermore, the article examines the common vocal issues faced by ICM singers, considering the impact of these challenges on style and performance. By addressing these issues, the article aims to contribute to the preservation and enhancement of ICM as a distinct vocal tradition. The review emphasises the significance of incorporating ICM research not only for the benefit of the ICM community, but also for the broader voice research community. By integrating ICM into the realm of voice research, scholars may gain a deeper understanding of the diverse range of vocal practices and expand their knowledge base. This inclusivity fosters a more equitable and comprehensive voice research landscape. This article advocates for the decolonisation of voice research through the inclusion of Indian Classical Music. By embracing the Indigenous paradigm and examining the unique aspects of ICM, researchers can contribute to a more inclusive, diverse, and enriched understanding of vocal traditions and practices.

Towards building a Deep Learning based Automated Indian Classical Music Tutor for the Masses

• Addresses a humanitarian concern and presents a possible social innovation. • State-of-the-art Deep Learning techniques for music classification. • Deployed in a highly scalable, orchestrated, and containerized cloud environment. • A substantial literature survey. • Results are acceptably accurate. Music can play an important role in the well-being of the world. Indian classical music is unique in its requirement for rigorous, disciplined, expert-led training that typically goes on for years before the learner can reach a reasonable level of performance. This keeps many, including the first author of this paper, away from mastering the skill. The problem is particularly compounded in rural areas, where the available expertise may be limited and prohibitively expensive, but the interest in learning classical music still prevails, nevertheless. Machine Learning has been complementing, enhancing, and replacing many white-collar jobs and we believe it can help with this problem as well. This paper describes efforts at using Machine Learning techniques, particularly, Long Short-Term Memory for building a system that is a step toward provisioning an Indian Classical Music Tutor for the masses. The system is deployed in the cloud using orchestrated containerization for potential worldwide access, load balancing, and other robust features.

Markov-based genetic algorithm with [formula omitted]-greedy exploration for Indian classical music composition

Recent technological advancements have made it possible to automate some of the intricate activities involved in music production. In this paper, a heuristic method is proposed for automatic composition of Indian Classical Music (ICM). Composing ICM necessitates consideration of raga constraints which distinguishes it from other genres of music. The raga-based music cannot be generated through random exploration of search space. More specifically, certain disordering in note combinations can violate the raga constraints. To address the aforesaid issue, the paper proposes a novel method by combining genetic algorithm with Markov chain model attuned to ICM sequences. Moreover, the proposed method uses ϵ-greedy strategy to balance the exploration and exploitation of musical search space. In order to preserve the musical characteristics, domain-specific genetic operators (i.e., crossover and mutation) are defined. The evaluation function based on music theory is used to direct the search to favorable tracks. The Kullback Liebler (KL) divergence metric is used to analyze the probability distribution of output and sample data sequence. The results indicate that by regulating the exploration rate, the method is capable of generating melodic sequences while maintaining the desired musical note distribution. Moreover, the method converges faster than the conventional genetic algorithm.

IDENTIFYING THE SPACE OF SHIVA’S RUDRA VEENA: A QUEST TO EXPLORE MYTHS, BELIEFS, AND FACTS IN THE DISCOURSE OF THIS ANCIENT MUSICAL INSTRUMENT

Rudra Veena, an ancient musical instrument is believed to be most widely used in North Indian Classical Music. Being one of the first musical instruments in Hindustani Classical Music, it has a significantly interesting history of its own, which is intertwined with various captivating facts, myths, and beliefs. My goal in this paper is to explore the intricacies involved in the making of this extravagant instrument, the myths and the stereotypes related to it, and the efforts of some prominent Rudra Veena players who have fought with time and defied a change that’s inclined to modern musical taste in the quest to keep the tradition of Rudra Veena alive. In my opinion, it is significant to trace these elements that are now rooted in an unspeakable silence and demand a voice of their own

Raga Recognition in Indian Carnatic Music Using Convolutional Neural Networks

A vital aspect of Indian Classical music (ICM) is raga, which serves as a melodic framework for compositions and improvisations for both traditions of classical music. In this work, we propose a CNN-based sliding window analysis on mel-spectrogram and modgdgram for raga recognition in Carnatic music. The impor- tant contribution of the work is that the pro- posed method neither requires pitch extraction nor metadata for the estimation of raga. CNN learns the representation of raga from the pat- terns in the melspectrogram/ modgdgram dur- ing training through a sliding-window analysis. We train and test the network on sliced-mel- spectrogram/modgdgram of the original audio while the nal inference is performed on the au- dio as a whole. The performance is evaluated on 15 ragas from the CompMusic dataset. Multi- stream fusion has also been implemented to identify the potential of two feature representations. Multi-stream architecture shows promise in the proposed scheme for raga recognition.

Tonic Pitch Estimation in South Indian Classical Music using DSP Processor

In South Indian Classical Music, a performer chooses the tonic pitch as the reference note throughout the performance. The tonic pitch is the swara Sa in the middle octave range of a performance. Automatic tonic identification is essential in South Indian Classical Music to perform computational melodic analysis based on data. The identification of the tonic in real time is often required to judge the quality of the singer or instrumentalist. In this era of a musical reality shows, an autonomous electronic system for tonic identification is very relevant in which the system accurately judges the competitor in terms of tonic perfection. In this proposed method, a tonic identification is performed by using the characteristics extracted from the pitch histogram through frequency ratio method. A mathematical model is proposed based on the parameters of the tonal histogram for tonic identification. In this context, a Tonic identification system also implemented in a Texas Instruments TMS320C6713 Digital signal processor.

Aristotle’s hexis, phronesis, and Prolific Politics: Through a Musicological Lens

This paper attempts to examine and interpret the idea of phronesis, which unfolds in book Six of Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics. Emphasizing the role of politics, Aristotle’s concept of phronesis(practical wisdom) involves the idea of habit (hexis) or cultivating moral virtues. It is thought that phronesis helps agents avoid extremes in their choices and finally achieve the thoughtfully desired good. Implications of these ideas lead us to ask – where do we get/cultivate phronesis? What is the nature of politics that cultivates active dispositions in us? In order to answer these questions, I interpret Aristotle’s concepts of phronesis and politics through Indian Classical Music’s principle of ’improvisation.’ In the initial part, I discuss Aristotle’s ethical framework to understand the role of habit (hexis) and politics in the cultivation of phronesis. I will then show problems in MacIntyre’s interpretation of these ideas. Finally, I will argue that as a musician’s ’new’ imaginative creativity arises from ’given’ patterns of melodic possibilities provided by a prolific teacher, practical wisdom is also cultivated by ’hexis imparting’ politics. However, politics must be qualified with prolificity, which will develop autonomous moral agency and evade any coercive influence of socio-customary morality.