Breakthrough Neuroscience Research: IIT Mandi Research Shows Listening to Indian Ragas Alters Brain Microstates

In a landmark fusion of India’s rich musical heritage and cutting-edge
neuroscience, a new and recent study led by Prof. Laxmidhar Behera, Director of IIT Mandi,
has offered compelling scientific validation for a long-held cultural belief that music can
transform the mind, exploring the dynamics of brain microtubules. Published in Frontiers in
Human Neuroscience, the study reveals that listening to Indian Classical Ragas can significantly
influence brain activity, enhancing attention, emotional regulation, and mental stability.
Conducted in collaboration with IIT Kanpur on 40 participants, the research employed
advanced EEG microstate analysis, a real-time brain-mapping technique that captures
momentary but meaningful patterns of neural activity. These “microstates,” often lasting just
tens of milliseconds, represent the brain’s transient modes of operation such as attention,
emotional engagement, or mind-wandering.
What makes this study exceptional is the measurable impact of specific Ragas on these brain
states. Raga Darbari, known for its soothing and uplifting qualities, was found to increase
attention-related microstates while reducing those associated with mind-wandering, indicating
deeper focus and cognitive clarity. In contrast, Raga Jogiya, a melancholic melody, not only
enhanced attentional networks but also activated emotion-regulation microstates, enabling
listeners to process emotions with calm and composure. “EEG microstates offer a window into
how the brain operates moment by moment,” explained Prof. Behera. “It is remarkable to see
how these ancient melodies consistently guide the brain into more stable and focused patterns.”
Ashish Gupta, the first author of the study, emphasized that the shifts observed in neural activity
were not random. “The data showed repeatable, consistent transitions after exposure to the
Ragas, suggesting Indian Classical music can serve as a powerful tool for mental wellness,” he
said.
With mental health challenges such as stress, burnout, and attention deficits on the rise, this
research points to a culturally resonant, non-invasive alternative. The research team suggests
that listening to Raga Darbari before exams or important meetings may improve focus, while
Raga Jogiya could help manage emotional overwhelm or grief. The study doesn’t just underscore

how people feel in response to music, it demonstrates how the brain structurally responds,
offering new potential for music-based interventions in cognitive and emotional health.
Professor Braj Bhushan of IIT Kanpur, co-author of the study, remarked, “This work reveals the
remarkable capacity of Indian Classical music to engage cognitive and emotional systems. It
opens a new path for developing personalized, music-based mental health support tools rooted
in India’s cultural wisdom.”
In a further affirmation of the findings, the research team conducted a parallel study on Western
participants, which confirmed similar effects of classical music on brain microstates. This cross-
cultural consistency highlights the universal neurological power of classical music. Both studies,
co-authored by Dr. Ashish Gupta, Mr. Chandan Kumar Srivastava, Prof. Braj Bhushan, and Prof.
Laxmidhar Behera, have been published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. In doing so, they
contribute not only to the scientific understanding of music’s influence on the brain, but also to
a growing movement that harmonizes ancient traditions with modern science reminding us that
the future of mental well-being may well lie in the timeless strains of the past.