I am not a connoisseur of music, I don’t know about the intricacies/details of music, but  even then I love music.

I think any music, specially the music, not lyrics, influences the mind.  In my case, if music has that soft and mild nuances of emotions, may be sad or that gives rise to serenity, peace , softness that touches the subconcious  …( I don’t know), gives peace and sort of solace to my mind and heart. Since I am driven by emotions (as all women are), I find music like a medicine.

Music in any language can produce emotions, specially its tune, instruments and the singer’s voice. ( please listen to Amazon Rainforest relaxation Video in youtube).

In my case, I get stirred even by folk music from hills, bauls from Bengal, Carnatic music, specially instrumental, Raag Pahadi and Bhairavi, Shehnai, Santoor and Sarod etc.. etc, leave aside filmy.

The vibration that is cuased by music’s notes, gives peace. Its like cosmic vibrations(atleast to me)…its one’s own perception.

Each type of music, if it touches the core of my heart, if it is able to bring out nostalgia (ability to take me into serenity)it carries me ..I don’t know where….some times tears start flowing by itself, sometimes it brings sadness that my heart relates with( specially Ghazals by Jagjit singh, Non-filmi Ghazals sung by Late Rafi saab, Talat Mahmood, Iqbal Bano etc…etc), then Sufi music gives me a feeling as God Himself is present in the form of music and in the voice of singer who sings with complete compassion. Sound signals are ‘’aaroh and avroh’’ of the ragas, instruments (like tinkling sound, bass effect of guitar, vibrations of piano notes etc  etc)etc). I distinctly feel as if something is happening inside my heart/mind, sometimes it chokes my throat…!

I tell u one of my experience. Once I had attended the Past Life Regression workshop, by Dr Newton( Of Budhdha Academy, Hyderabad), he had played some very soft and divine music in order to make us regress, and that worked. The effect of music was marvelous, superb.

Music certainly gives rise to spirituality, if one knows about spirituality and has evolved to spiritualism, it certainly heals the bruised mind and heart, and it compensates the lack of that particular emotion that is needed at the time of healing the  hurt…

I am writing all this because I experience the same.

Well, its difficult to say whether it can evoke the same feeling  in any western listener. Its just like Indian listener may not find Mozart’s or Bach’s piece of composition effective. For general listener it may give him/her a feeling of irritation. If one has that ‘ears’ for good music, he /she will certainly enjoy and relish. For example Piano , KennyG’s compositions, Enigma, Enya……etc etc give immense peace (list is long), they are fantastic, if such instrument can influence us, then why cant Carnatic Raag Darbari affect a westerner? Sarod, Sitar, Santoor, Veena  etc definitely liked by them, number of listeners may  be few, but there may be westerners who have ear for such music. Music makes me travel into different realms. Music affects us physically, good beats compels one to dance or tap feet.

Psychologically, when it effects the mind, inner core of heart, emotionally when one starts crying after listening to some good music(here good lyrics are certainly required that hits the emotions), and spirituality, that evokes spiritualism and makes us feel the divinity of the super power/nature... I know, spiritualism doesn’t mean that hysterical acts that one can see in some “”Jagrans…Satsang or religious rituals) all this is HOAX, and that certainly cant be called Music. its ugly presentation of music, its like insulting the music itself.

 I  have written what I feel or felt at times, its my own experience that music has given me, and gives me.

I feel its one’s own perception. Its like that story where blinds perceive elephant’s body ..remember?

You are knowledgeable person, who has lots of research work done, if u find my answers ridiculous..then ….Sorry…what else can I say?