Music! That balm for our troubled souls. Music has the unique ability to evoke emotions when words fail us. Music has long been recognized as a therapeutic tool that significantly impacts mental health, offering relief from stress, anxiety, depression, and more.

Recent research conducted by the University of Vienna found that music effectively reduces stress.

And we want you to feel the same with our newest podcast series: The Mynd Durbar.

We take you through the magic of music, the soothing echoes of Indian classical music, welding it with our feelings and emotions. 

What are ragas and their connection to emotions?

Indian classical music is built around ragas, which are more than just scales of notes—they are intricate frameworks designed to evoke specific emotions or “rasas.” Each raga is associated with a particular time of day, season, or mood, and the notes within a raga are arranged to resonate with human feelings on a deeply emotional level. These ragas use soft, somber notes and gentle progressions to stir feelings of melancholy, encouraging introspection and healing. 

The first episode, hosted by the wonderful Anitha Aswath, deals with Karuna Rasa – the emotion of compassion and sorrow.

Anitha delves into how specific musical compositions can serve as powerful companions during times of emotional struggle, especially grief.

In the case of Karuna Rasa, the focus is on compositions that evoke compassion, empathy, and sorrow. Some examples of ragas that are often connected with Karuna Rasa and emotions of sorrow or empathy include:

– Raga Darbari Kanada: Known for its deeply moving and meditative quality, this raga is often used to express pathos and compassion. It has been historically associated with creating a sense of solemnity and soothing the listener’s mind.

– Raga Yaman: A raga often played at dusk, Yaman evokes a sense of peace mixed with subtle longing, making it a suitable backdrop for emotional introspection.

– Raga Bhairavi: Played at the end of a performance or day, this raga is soothing and helps in winding down emotions, often linked to sadness but with a sense of resolution.

Through these ragas, Karuna Rasa not only captures the depth of sorrow but also acts as a pathway to compassion and healing. The power of these melodies lies in their ability to help listeners process their pain, offering a sense of companionship and understanding in difficult times.

Episode highlights

– Exploring Karuna Rasa: In this episode, Anitha introduces listeners to Karuna Rasa as it manifests in Indian classical music. She discusses how specific ragas can serve as a healing balm, tapping into our deepest emotions.

– Personal reflections on loss: Anitha shares her personal story of losing her father in 2019 and how music, particularly ragas associated with Karuna Rasa, became a lifeline in her grieving process.

– Music as emotional therapy: The episode also dives into the broader concept of raga therapy, where particular ragas are used to promote emotional healing. The connection between music and mental well-being is explored, showing how melodies that evoke sorrow can actually provide comfort and solace.

About Anitha Aswath

Anitha Aswath, a seasoned Executive Coaching Leader and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) consultant, brings over 26 years of experience to the podcast. A passionate advocate for music’s power to heal, Anitha is a trained Indian classical singer and continues to be a lifelong student of the art form. Her personal journey with music and grief forms the emotional backbone of this podcast series.

Other podcasts from MyndStories

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t miss other engaging and insightful podcasts from MyndStories, which cover a range of topics around mental health and personal growth:

– The Therapy Room: A segment where our hosts Smitha Murthy and Ankit Narasimhan talk to mental health professionals for insights on life’s challenges, which range from managing everyday stressors to chronic anxiety.

– The MyndStories Minis: Smitha Murthy, chats with writers, entrepreneurs, teachers, runners…the list is long because she talks to anyone who has a story to tell.

– Dear Mynd: If you love listening to stories (who doesn’t!) then Dear Mynd is for you. In this immersive podcast, each episode invites you to embark on an intimate and transformative storytelling experience.

– The MyndStories Podcast: Host Ankit Narasimhan talks to fitness experts, business leaders, mindfulness practitioners, life coaches, and experts from different fields who share their experiences with life and mental health.