The healing powers Classical Indian music have often been a subject of study and experimentation. Many hospitals worldwide use music therapy to relax patients suffering anxiety and trauma.
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Healing Effect of Raag Ahir Bhairav
Talking of the "Ahir Bhairav Raag", Dr Madvi Mohindra a PHd in music therapy tells us, it is well known for it's calming and relaxing effects. Music can be enjoyed on various levels- one can just ''hear" music for enjoyment and entertainment or one can "listen" to music with rapt attention. Listening in this manner helps your concentration power and also develops patience in the listener. One can listen to music and also hum along with it though you may not be a trained singer. The humming will have a greater positive effect on your mind. Certainly if you play an instrument and sing the proper melodies the therapeutic benefits will increase.
Ahir Bhairav is a morning Raag and as the word "Ahirs" are cowherds and milkmen and this Raag has developed from the tinkling of the cow's bells early in the morning as they are being milked. What a calming effect that has on an individual early in the morning needs no imagination. Little wonder then that Bhajans are often based on the Raag Ahir Bhairav.
Some well known Hindi film songs based on this Raag Ahir Bhairav are, "Poocho Na Kaise Maine Rain Bitaaee" sung by Manna Dey and "Albela Sajan aayo Re"sung by Ustad Rashid Khan.
