Classical Music for Healing & Happiness: Samvaad Connect in Conversation with Dr. Shambhavi Das
At Samvaad Connect, September has been dedicated to the theme of Mental Health and Music. This month, our mission is to explore how creative expressions like music can transform inner well-being, reduce stress, and open doors to healing. As part of this series, we had the privilege of engaging in a heartfelt conversation with Dr. Shambhavi Das – an accomplished Indian classical vocalist, music therapist, TEDx speaker, and founder of Manonaad (www.manonaad.com).
Dr. Das has been immersed in the world of Indian classical music since childhood. Born in Prayagraj, she was raised in an environment deeply connected with music and cultural roots. After completing her schooling, she moved to Delhi, where she pursued graduation, post-graduation, M.Phil, and PhD in music. For many years, she perceived music as an academic discipline — assignments, practice, and performance. But over time, she began to recognize its deeper mental, emotional, and spiritual significance. That realization has since shaped her journey as a music therapist dedicated to healing minds through the power of sound.
Music: More Than an Art Form
When asked about her journey, Dr. Das shared how music initially seemed like just a subject. But during her own riyaaz (daily practice), she discovered its therapeutic and spiritual dimensions. “It’s all science,” she says. “When your body aligns with universal music, everything within you starts to change.”
This philosophy reflects her work today, where she combines scientific research with ancient wisdom. Through her initiative Manonaad, she designs therapies using Indian classical ragas to address mental health issues like stress, anxiety, depression, Alzheimer’s, and even autism. Her sessions highlight how sound frequencies resonate with the human body, helping regulate blood pressure, soothe the nervous system, and restore balance.
Dr. Das explains that music is a triad of gaan (vocal), vaadya (instrumental), and nritya (dance). Each form holds potential for healing when approached mindfully. She advocates introducing music education in schools not only as an art subject but as a tool for self-healing. Early exposure, she believes, helps children manage agitation and stress before they grow into adulthood.
Music and Mental Health
Today’s world is fast-paced and overwhelming. Anxiety, burnout, and stress are common companions. Here, music offers a simple yet profound solution.
During the interview, Dr. Das shared examples of how ragas can be used to target specific mental health needs:
- Raag Bhairav: Known for instilling peace and grounding, effective for morning meditation and reducing anxiety.
- Raag Yaman: Brings calmness and positivity, often used to uplift mood and soothe emotional restlessness.
- Raag Hamsadhwani: Associated with clarity and focus, beneficial for stress relief and concentration.
- Raag Kafi: Relieves emotional strain and connects listeners to feelings of love and openness.
She narrated stories of patients with Alzheimer’s and autism showing remarkable improvement through music therapy. Simple exercises like listening to raagas daily or humming along can ease tension and stimulate neural activity.
Her insights strongly align with Samvaad Connect’s vision, that mental health is not only about treatment but also about preventive care and self-awareness. Music, when practiced consistently, can become a daily practice of mindfulness.
Bollywood and the Classical Connect
One highlight of the conversation was when Dr. Das bridged the gap between classical music and Bollywood. Many listeners feel classical music is difficult to access, but she reminded us that countless Bollywood melodies are rooted in ragas. For example:
- Raag Yaman → “Chandni Raat Hai”
- Raag Bhairavi → “Babul Mora Naihar Chhooto Hi Jaye”
- Raag Darbari → “Dil Dhoondta Hai”
- Raag Kafi → “Piya Tose Naina Lage Re”
Hearing her sing short snippets of these ragas and connect them to familiar songs was like live therapy. Listeners could instantly feel how just a few notes shifted their mood.
Personal Inspirations
Dr. Das dedicated her musical journey to her mother, Smt. Praba Das ji who herself was an Akashwani singer, and a passionate lover of music. She shared a touching anecdote: her mother encouraged her to perfect her Urdu diction so she could sing with authenticity. That discipline has shaped her into the artist she is today, with mastery over regional songs of Purvanchal and Prayagraj, her homeland.
In the rapid-fire round with our host Saumya, she revealed her favorite raag, her most-loved Bollywood song, and left a special message for youth: “Music is not bound by age. Anyone can start anytime. Even 15 minutes of riyaaz daily can transform your state of mind.”
Music as Science, Therapy, and Joy
For Dr. Das, music isn’t just entertainment. It’s science, rhythm, and universal energy. Her TEDx talk further reinforces how sound vibrations directly influence mental health. She passionately advocates for recognizing music as a daily wellness practice rather than a luxury.
Her advice is clear: Don’t wait for life’s pressures to overwhelm you. Use music proactively to maintain balance. Whether it’s listening to a calming alaap, learning a simple composition, or simply humming in solitude, every small step can contribute to emotional resilience.
Closing Reflections from Samvaad Connect
This conversation with Dr. Shambhavi Das was more than an interview, it was a live experience of healing. Her cheerful renditions of ragas and film songs during the session reminded us that joy and therapy can coexist.
At Samvaad Connect, we believe dialogues like these create ripples. Music, as Dr. Das beautifully described, is not just about stage performance but about inner alignment. It is a tool every individual can access for managing stress, nurturing creativity, and cultivating peace.
As we dedicate September to Mental Health and Music, Dr. Das’s story reinforces why we must embrace the healing sciences rooted in our culture. Music is not only about listening, it’s about feeling, aligning, and living with it.
So the next time you feel overwhelmed, pause for a moment. Play a raga, hum a few lines, or simply let silence turn into sound. Healing might just be one note away.
Samvaad Connect thanks Dr. Shambhavi Das for sharing her journey, her wisdom, and her music. To explore more about her work in music therapy, visit www.manonaad.com or watch her TEDx talk here.
Let’s remember: Music heals. Music aligns. Music liberates.
Connect with us
At SAMVAAD Connect, we are dedicated to exploring new dimensions of mental health, inspirational stories, and resielence.
Stay connected with us:
- Website: www.samvaadconnect.com
- Instagram: samvaadconnect
- YouTube: SAMVAAD Connect
- LinkedIn: SAMVAAD Connect
- Call / WhatsApp: +91 9811901985
Saumya D Tewari
