Emotion Induction by Indian Raga...

Music has the power and subtlety to express what human beings feel; with or without words. I am trying to express my thoughts on the nature of music and music in nature, the way it has developed in human emotions in last thousands of years. It has not restricted its boundaries to human but also shown significant footprints in the nature. Indian music has strong connections with religious traditions and faiths. It is complex and rich with direct emotional appeal. Purpose of Indian Classical Ragas is to refine one's soul, discipline one's body, to make one aware of infinite within one. It has always proven its connection with health, psycho physiology and nature. While studying Raga; the principle in Indian Music, what I found was its 'design relevance'.
RAGA and DESIGN
If we go into the detailing of one particular Raga performance, we will see some discipline, some structure being followed. The famous Hindustani Sarod artist Ustad Amjad Ali Khan puts it in words as, 'Freedom within Discipline'. The sequence followed by raga performance is actually a cycle or process which can be co-related or can be adaptive in Design Thinking. It bears similarity with Design Process to reach the end solution. The performance consists of following steps. I have tried to put into a chart format for an easy understanding.

• The Aalap played at the starting of the concert makes audience alert like yellow light at traffic signals. Design relevance will be Problem Identification.
  
• The Aalap is followed by jodh, in which performer gets freedom in terms of variations but within the discipline. In design, it can be stated as brain storming in which designers put down thoughts about any topic within certain constrains.
  
• By the time Jhala starts, audience start gaining essence of raga which is again concentration. In design context, it can be stated as focusing on a certain, potential problem area.
  
• After jhala, Ghats are introduced which is nothing but introduction of percussion instruments. During this period, audience totally feels for which raga is made. Relevance of Conceptualization and design thinking.
  
• Viraam is the intermediate state between two Prahars. It is not purna viraam ( full stop). Performer may stop after finishing raga or continue with another raga. Finishing is something related to Design Solutions. The transitional state can be stated as Redefining problems; making it a cyclic process.
  Property of ragas to induce emotions, can play important role in personal and professional life.