Carnatic Music - Soul healer - Part 1

Carnatic Music - Soul healer - Part 1

            Carnatic Music is a Vocal Music, originated from Devas (Gods), the Mother of all Music. It is believed that Samaveda has laid foundation for Carnatic Music, consisting of hymns from Rig veda. This Classical music is also refered in various Epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata.  It was traditionally taught in Gurukula System, where the student lives with Guru (Teacher) and learn the education. In those ancient days, education includes, Martial Arts, Music, Dance, Weapon arts, Vedas, Morals, Ethics, Traditions, State craft, Governance and much more. In modern times, students visit Gurus daily or weekly to learn Music. 
                        
             In Hinduism, Goddess Saraswati is considered as God of Music, Fine arts, Wisdom and Education. Every day, She will be worshiped before learning and performing. She holds Veena, the classic traditional string instrument in one hand and sacred sanskrit texts in other hand. Saraswati Veena is mainly played in Carnatic Music. 'Carna' means Ear / auditory sense,  'atkam' means beauty, delight to your ears
               

                                                         

            Carnatic music is widely spread in Southern parts of India. Starting from young age, children will peruse this Carnatic music / Karnatak Sangeeth. Even today, we can see little kids learning carnatic music during early morning hours especially in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala, Regular morning and evening practice is must for the students. It is a complex music system, such that it takes about 40 years to master this carnatic music. 

         The basics of the Carnatic Music revolves around seven swaras (Notes) Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni. There are different elements in carnatic music , such as 

Sruti - refers to Musical Pitch
Swara - type of Musical sound, that is single note
Raga - set of rules for building a melody, melodic formula 
Tala - fixed time cycle / Rhythmic Cycle
Gamaka - Ornamentation 

             It is based upon complex system of Raga and Tala, the two fundamental elements of Carnatic Music. Raga is basically a melodic frame work and Tala is a Rhythmic time cycle and there are seven notes / Swaras in the scale (Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni). Swara is derived from the sanskrit word 'Svar', which means 'to sound'. In this music system, melody and note sequence is given more importance, that is only single note / mode is sung at a time, where as in the western music different instruments sounding different notes sung at the same time, creating a different feel. 
               This classical music is mode based, there is no special mood to a scale in western music.  The ancient sanskrit texts, Natya Shastra says that In Indian classical music there are 22 Srutis (Musical Pitch) or micro intervals of musical tone and seven swaras.

           There are different and infinite types of Raga's in classical music, each Raga is associated with particular time of the day, invokes specific emotions, mood, and it induces specific sense in  humans. For example, some Raga induces sleep, some Raga makes us to cry, some stirs up old memories. There are sensory aspects to the Raga that makes us, to feel. The gamakas in the notes play a huge role in bringing out the mood of the raga, Indian gamakas (Ornamentation) can never be played on a even pitch keyboard with precise accuracy. There are certain ragas which uses sharp notes than western.

               Each sound, the words we speak, singing, laughing, shouting has different vibration and frequency. The frequency relates to one's mind and brain activity. While singing, Swaras acts as auditary stimulus to the brain and activates nerve centers. 

             In South India, early in the morning, Sri Venkateshwara Suprabatham song by Smt M.S Subbulakshmi will be played at temples and at homes. This music is played to wake up Gods during Brahma Muhurtam time. 

To know more about Brahma Muhurta, Reach to : http://divinediyaas.blogspot.com/2019/08/early-morning-brahma-muhurta.html

       It creates a heavenly feeling while listening to this song. The magic of the song is in the combination of singer's voice, Tune and the sanskrit hyms, it makes us to feel fresh, builds confidence, brain works best during this early morning hours. 

          For auspicious ceremonies and festivals 'Mangala Vadhyam' will be played, 'Mangala - means auspicious , vadhyam - means instrument. 

        Nagaswaram, is one of the most ancient , auspicious and unique instrument of Tamil Nadu. This instrument is a rare combination of music and divinity,  playing Nagaswaram (Mangala Vadhyam) is must for all ceremonies, festivals, Hindu marriages, temple rituals and many, without this music the celebration will be incomplete. This instrument is also played along with a pair of drums called as 'Thavil'.

         Nagaswaram is a classic wind instrument, made of wood. This is the world's most loudest non - brass acoustic instrument. Specific type of wood is used for making this instrument, the age of the wood should be more and old wood is considered as best for making it. 

      Below: Managala Vadhyam played during Hindu Marriage ceremony. It sounds divine. 

       

           There are certain type of ragas played in this instrument according to the time of the day in the temples. Usually Villagers and local people doesn't look at the clocks, they hear the songs and know the time. 

From 4 A.M to Sun Rise - Bhupalam, Bhauli, Malayamarutham, Valaji, Nadanamakriya,  Mayamalavagoula Ragas

From Sunrise - 8 A.M - Bilahari, Kedaram, Jaganmohini, Gaulipantu, Suddha Dhanyasi Ragas 

From 8 A.M to 10 A.M - Dhanyasi, Saveri, Asaveri, Suddha Saveri, Suddha Bangala, Arabhi, Devagandhari, Abhogi, Devamanohari Ragas

From 10 A.M to 12 noon - Sriragan, Darbari, Brindavana sarangi, Manirangu, Madhayamavathi Ragas

From  4 P.M to Sunset - Mandari, Kalyani, Saraswati, Purya Kalyani, Vasanta Ragas

From Sunset to 8 P. M - Sankarabaranam, Aanandabhairavi, Kaanada, Sama, Bhairavi, Todi, Sankarabharanam, Hamsadhwani, Kedaragowla, Shanmukapriya Ragas

         Also at temples, for each activity different ragas are played, starting from waking up the deities - Bhoopalam, Bowli Ragas, while Naivedhyam (Food offering to God) is bought - Taligai Mallari Raga, while taking Arati for the Gods, while the deities start for procession  - Purapattu Mallari Raga etc. This was the tradition followed and it still in practice in South Indian temples, even today. The Vedic Hymns and slokas chanted by priests, music from the classical instruments and single minded focus of devotees creates a divine energy and positive vibe in us and that's the reason why our ancestors insisted us to go to temple everyday. To feel positivity both in body and mind.  

       

            These carnatic Ragas played in the classical instruments creates a deep bond at the subconscious level of the brain. Listening to Indian carnatic music in classical instruments emits healing frequencies and vibrations, that activates our cells and increases brain functions. Each of our cells adopt to certain frequencies that they are exposed to and vibrations activate our cells and open up the space for healing.

            Every cell in our body will be resonating to this music, Carnatic Music is having such power for that. This divine music is born out of spirituality, without utmost concentration, devotion and commitment, one can not complete learning this music. It balances the left and right part of the brain. The gaps created between two swaras (notes) creates a space for healing.

For Example,

Raga Hamasadhvani  - Creates intellectual stability. 

                                      In this raga, the absence of two swaras 'Ma' and 'Dha' creates two vacuum areas for healing. 'Ma' vibrates in heart chakra creates love emotion, 'Dha' induces power. The absence of 'Ma' detach from love, relationships and so gives emotional stability. The absence of 'Dha' gives capacity to detach from the powers and thus makes us to feel grounded and emotionally stable. 

Kedar, Kaanda Ragas creates relaxation in our mind and listening to these ragas are beneficial for headaches.

          

Darbari Raga - is Sedative when heard in night. 

Sahana Raga - Singing / listening to this raga controls anger and brings down the violence within oneself. 

             Ragas / melody tine emits certain type of frequency which helps to connect with the brain frequency. Simple iterative Rythmic tunes like Bhajans are capable of relaxation and resonates in synch with the alpha waves of the brain.  

Asavari Raga - When heard early in the morning, it builds confidence 

Raga Hindolo  - helps in sharpening the memory and improves the concentration.

          So, when the carnatic Music emits certain frequencies it influences our mind and body. Certain type of melodic ragas create different emotions, some music triggers past memories, some will make us cry, some music will soothe anger and some will heal. It is also said that each raga related to particular nerves in the human body, singing or performing a raga with purity in pitch and tala, gives the performer the complete control on the nerve. 

       

                   Music sound is something that we can hear with our ears. It's actually wave of energy that vibrates air molecules that can totally change our neurological activity in our brain. Sound frequency and vibration helps in healing emotionally, physically, mentally and Spiritually. 

       For centuries, Carnatic Music was only orally transmitted without being written down. 

            
          Our ancestors knew the power of Music. Music is a Sound, Sound is Vibration, Vibration cause everything exist. Music can heal, affect the mood and alter your mind frequencies. Our ancestors believed that Music had the power to harmonize one's soul which was not achieved through traditional medicines. In Ancient China, one of the earliest uses of Music was 'To Heal', the Chinese character for medicine is actually derived from the character 'Music'

          In today's world, Music is used in treatments as 'Music Therapy'. As Music stimulates human's brain, it is used to cure ADHD in kids, to improve sleep, to increase focus, memory power, patience and much more. 

       

                Sound energy and sound power is much greater than any other power in the world. The greatest Scientist, Nikola Tesla once said, " If you want to find the secrets of the Universe, think in terms of Energy, Frequency and Vibration" .  OM - the celestial sound, the sound that controls the whole universe, when it ends with Mmmmmm sound , it will also match with the sruti (Pitch). The cosmic flow of sound (Shabda in Sanskrit) is hidden in Carnatic Music, it was well recognized by Ancient Indian sages and thus created several music patterns for chanting Vedic Hymns to achieve the spiritual effect. 

                   The universe is responding to the vibrational attitude that we are emitting. 

         

                                                  ------ To be continued in Part 2

- Aarthi Thiyagarajan