A Matrix-Based Approach for Evaluation of Vocal Renditions in Hindustani Classical Music

Raga Therapy for Autism

“…North Indian Classical Music (NICM), by virtue of its uniqueness of its melodic structural design and improvisation, offers added advantages over afore-mentioned conventional music therapy [90,91]. "Raga" constitutes the constructive core of NICM [84,92,93].…”

“…Specific arrangement of Swaras and combination of tonal intervals are capable of evoking/magnifying/modifying distinct emotions [94,95]. If the frequency of a given note is more than its mean value, then it is termed to be a Tivra Swara (Western sharp note) [90,91]. Similarly, if frequency of a given note is decreased below the mean value, then it is called Komal Swara (Western soft/flat note) [90,91,92].…”

“…If the frequency of a given note is more than its mean value, then it is termed to be a Tivra Swara (Western sharp note) [90,91]. Similarly, if frequency of a given note is decreased below the mean value, then it is called Komal Swara (Western soft/flat note) [90,91,92]. Predominance of Shuddha Swaras (pure notes) makes the Raga "Happy" and "Cheerful", while incremental predominance of Komal Swaras (soft/flat notes) makes the Raga progressively sentimental, elevating emotional seriousness from happiness to sympathy to sad/sorrow/tensed to peace and tranquility [90,91,92,93,94,95,98,99].…”

“…Similarly, if frequency of a given note is decreased below the mean value, then it is called Komal Swara (Western soft/flat note) [90,91,92]. Predominance of Shuddha Swaras (pure notes) makes the Raga "Happy" and "Cheerful", while incremental predominance of Komal Swaras (soft/flat notes) makes the Raga progressively sentimental, elevating emotional seriousness from happiness to sympathy to sad/sorrow/tensed to peace and tranquility [90,91,92,93,94,95,98,99]. The use of Komal Re, creates tension and longing and Komal Dha, produces seriousness and calmness [94,95,99], while Komal Ga and Komal Ni, create the mood of compassion, submission, sorrow [92,93,97], and Tivra Ma, intensifies the inherent emotions of accompanying note(s)/Swara(s) [93].…”

“…Both Raga and Taal are open frameworks for creativity and allow theoretically infinite number of possibilities. By and large, the Ragas with bpm lower than the heart rate (< 70-75 bmp) produce calming/soothing effects, Ragas with bpm equal to the heart rate (=70-75 bpm) create joy/happiness/cheerfulness/pleasant feelings, while Ragas with bpm greater than the heart rate (> 70-75 bpm) produce excitement or energizing effects [90,91,92].…”