Everyone has a song that brings back a certain memory. When people listen to music, it triggers a part of brain which evokes emotions. Some songs help us reduce stress while others help us lift our mood. We prefer listening to some songs in the morning while some at night. In short, there is music for every mood.
In the same way Indian Classical Music also has different Ragas closely associated with different seasons and also day and night cycle. Raga means colour, and by colour we mean chromatic and also emotional colour.
Now the obvious question that arises is “How does one know which raga belongs to what time?”
Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande was the one who answered this question and has set certain rules for the same.
According to Hindu philosophy time is cyclical rather than a linear concept. The entire day comprising 24 hours is divided into 8 parts. Each part consisting of 3 hours. The belief is that the mood it generates is best felt and experienced during the time specified since each raga is assigned to a deity. The image given below shows the different ragas and the appropriate time at which they are sung.
Nowadays only few artists consider the time zone effect for ragas. Also the seasonal aspect of ragas is no longer taken seriously even in the North except in the case of the various Malhar, Basant and Bahara, and these too, are no longer tied down to their ascribed seasons.
So which song do you listen to when you are happy? Which song reduces your stress? Which song motivates you to work more? Answer in the comments below. Keep SINGING and Keep SHARING.
REVIVING MELODIES 