Alchemy of music; understanding the emotional impact

Music holds immense significance in our lives, permeating various aspects of our existence and influencing our emotions, thoughts, and actions. Music has the power to evoke a wide range of emotions. It can uplift our spirits, soothe our sorrows, provide solace, and intensify our joy. Whether it’s a melodic tune or a heartfelt lyric, music allows us to express and connect with our emotions in a unique and profound way.

Music has a powerful impact on our emotions and moods. It has the ability to evoke a wide range of feelings, from happiness and excitement to sadness and nostalgia. Here are some ways in which music can affect our emotions and moods:

Nidhi Sharma, a music teacher with Apeejay School, Rama Mandi, Jalandhar, said that music has a huge impact on our emotions and moods. “In our Vedas, classical music has different ragas that impact our emotions and moods. For example, ragas with emotion labels of calm/happy are Hansdhwani and Tilak Kamod, while ragas with emotion labels of sad/longing are Malkauns, and Shree to name a few,” Sharma said, who is also an alumna of Apeejay College of Fine Arts, from where she did her MA in Music Vocal.

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“Music has the ability to resonate with our emotions by tapping into universal human experiences. “Certain melodies, harmonies, rhythms, and lyrics can directly connect with our emotions and trigger specific feelings”

–Nidhi Sharma, Music Teacher, Apeejay School, Rama Mandi, Jalandhar & Alumna of Apeejay College of Fine Arts

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Then there are ragas that are supposed to be sung during a certain time period because they evoke certain kinds of feelings. Raag Bhairav is to be sung in the morning and raag Jaijaivanti is for evening. “This is because these ragas give rise to certain feelings that uplift the mood at that particular time of the day. Music can be a great outlet for one’s grief and an avenue to keep them distracted. Music can also improve health. When kids do riaz, it increases their lung capacity when they learn ragas,” Sharma explained.

She also said that Indian music is based on the concept of nava rasas which are shringar (romance), hasya (humour), karuna (grief), raudra (anger), veer (heroism), bhayanak (fear), vibhatysa (disgust), adbhut (wonder), and shant (peace). “It has been found that when you sing raag veer, it induces in you a feeling that you can achieve anything in life. This is particularly important for students. It can motivate them to step out of their comfort zone, take risks and achieve new milestones,” Sharma explained and recounted the power of raags.

The story goes that Tansen was asked by Emperor Akbar to sing raag deepak. But the raag created a lot of heat in Tansen’s body and in order to cool his body down, raag malhaar was sung by Tana and Riri. “Hence, our Vedas are very specific when it comes to when and how to sing the raags,” Sharma said.

Abhiram Baderia, a class X student at Apeejay School, Noida says that music definitely has the power to elevate moods. “The student, who recently performed at the international music festival in Linz, Austria said that whenever he listens to music, his mood improves drastically.

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“When I am with music, I am no longer in the real world. I transcend into another world where there is nothing but my music. This helps me connect with my inner self which calms and refreshes my mind”

–Abhiram Baderia, a class X student at Apeejay School, Noida

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“Of course, it depends on the kind of music I listen to; I love pop. So whenever I am feeling down, I listen to my kind of music and within a few minutes I forget all my worries,” Abhiram said, who was recently featured on Good News Today Channel.

As a student, it is common to feel the pressure and it can stress you out, Abhiram said. “This can have a negative impact and affect your studies. “Therefore, I take a break and either sing or listen to some music. And lo and behold, I am back in the zone. When I am with music, I am no longer in the real world. I transcend into another world where there is nothing but my music. This helps me connect with my inner self which calms and refreshes my mind,” Abhiram explained.

So, music has the ability to resonate with our emotions by tapping into universal human experiences. “Certain melodies, harmonies, rhythms, and lyrics can directly connect with our emotions and trigger specific feelings. For example, a slow and melancholic song might evoke feelings of sadness or introspection,” Sharma said.

Some ways that music helps us to tune into our feelings

Activation of brain regions: When we listen to music, it activates various regions of the brain associated with emotions and mood regulation. The brain releases neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins, which can influence our mood and overall sense of well-being.

Association and memory: Hearing a particular song can transport us back to a specific moment in our lives, triggering the emotions we felt during that time. This phenomenon is often used in movies, where specific songs are chosen to enhance the emotional impact of a scene.

Expression and catharsis: When we’re feeling down or overwhelmed, listening to music that reflects our emotions can help us process and release those feelings.

Energy and motivation: Upbeat and fast-paced songs can increase our heart rate, boost our energy levels, and enhance our mood. Many athletes use music to get into the right mindset before a competition or workout because it can provide a sense of focus.

Stress reduction: On the other hand, slow, calming, and soothing music can help us relax and reduce stress. It can slow down our heart rate, lower blood pressure, and promote a sense of tranquility.