Translator: Elisabetta Siagri Reviewer: Maricene Crus
Hi, I'm Ria Patel and I'm a sophomore at CDS.
I have been singing classical Hindustani music for over eight years now.
Most of you in this room have probably never heard of this type of music,
but for me, this type of music is very calming and relaxing
and it helps me take my mind off of stressful things.
Classical Hindustani music originated hundreds of years ago,
in northern India.
This type of music was created specifically to trigger certain emotions
when certain "ragas" or sets of notes were sung.
In classical Hindustani music, every song is a construction of a raga,
meaning that every song is built on a specific set of notes.
Every note has a different mood or state of mind associated with it,
which is what triggers the emotions.
The notes in classical Hindustani music are: Sa, Re, Ga, Ma,
Pa, Dha, Ni and Sa.
Just like in western music there is: Do, Re, Mi, Fa,
Sol, La, Ti and Do.
Something interesting is that in Sanskrit raga means color or hue
and every color has an emotion associated with it.
For example, green can be connected to envy,
and red can be connected to anger or high emotion.
Similarly, Sa means infinite, Re means sorrow,
Ga means peace, Ma means excitement,
Pa means joy, Dha means disgust,
and Ni means tranquil.
This creates a cycle of spirituality, sadness, peace, excitement,
happiness, revulsion and then peace.
And then again, spirituality.
Because of these triggers, there are certain times of the day
that each raga should ideally be sung and, for some,
there are seasons which are most suitable for it.
Many studies, including one published on NIH,
have shown that, when these songs are sung or even listened to,
it stimulates emotions by altering the chemicals in your brain.
At first, when I heard this, I thought it was crazy,
but then everything clicks.
A few years ago, when I was in middle school,
my singing teacher used to help me with my history fair projects
because I'd always do some sort of performance
and my topic would always be something about India.
Because of the dramatic presentation,
I wanted to use music to help convey my character's emotions to the audience.
He gave me advice on which notes to emphasize
and which combinations of notes sounded the best
for the mood I was trying to convey.
This connects to the idea in the study
that every note stimulates a different emotion.
I found that when I sing these songs,
not only did the audience feel a certain way,
but I also felt the emotions connecting to the raga.
I realized that I, somehow, always unconsciously knew
that I always felt certain things when I sang certain ragas.
For example, when I had been tired and I had to practice singing,
I would typically sing "Raag Yaman,"
which is a calm, peaceful and very happy raga.
By the end of my practice, I'd feel happy and very relaxed.
On the other hand,
when I was bored and I had to practice, I'd always sing "Raag Bhairav,"
number one, because it corresponded with the way I was already feeling
and number two, because it's one of the easiest ragas to sing.
The mood corresponding with "Raag Bhairav" is dark,
quiet and serious.
A couple of weeks ago,
I was curious so I asked some friends how they felt
when they listened to classical Hindustani music.
The song I asked them to listen to
was called "Eri Ali Piya Bina," from "Raag Yaman."
The emotions corresponding to the song are happy, peaceful and relaxed.
I also ask friends that had never heard of this style of music before
to see if they would feel the emotions corresponding to the raga,
and most of them did without me having to tell them what they were.
They all thought very quiet, peaceful and relaxed.
Now, I'm going to sing for you guys and you can tell me
if you feel peaceful and relaxed at the end of it.
(Music starts)
♪ Eri ali piya bina ♪
♪ Sakhi eri ali piya bina ♪
♪ Sakhi kalan parath mohe ♪
♪ Ghari pal chin din ♪
♪ Kalan parath mohe ♪
♪ Ghari pal chin din ♪
♪ Eri ali piya bina ♪
♪ Sakhi eri ali piya bina ♪
♪ Sakhi jab se piya pardes gavan kinho ♪
♪ Jab se piya pardes gavan kinho ♪
♪ Rathiyaan catath mori taare gin gin ♪
♪ Eri ali piya bina ♪
♪ Sakhi eri ali ♪
♪ Eri ali ♪
♪ Piya bina ♪
(Music ends)
(Applause)
The time of day that this song should be sung is in the evening.
The calming and soothing effects of this raga
would give a person a good night's sleep.
Studies have shown that when songs are sung at the correct time of day,
the impact of a note is strengthened.
This technique of singing or listening to various notes
can be used to treat depression by balancing the chemicals in your brain.
Another application of this idea is to treat insomnia
caused by restlessness or anxiety.
And some ragas can create a very soothing and peaceful sensation.
As I have said before, I have used this type of music to set the mood
in many short skits and plays.
This has been an effective way of conveying the mood of my scene
and my character to the audience.
I hope that next time any of you are feeling sad or unhappy
you will listen to classical Hindustani music
or any type of music that cheers you up.
Thank you.
(Applause)