In the past and still now (specially in villages) people used to sing and dance in the evening to ease out fatigue after the day's work. When a child is born, there is music programme at home. When marriage takes place, the procession moves with music and dance. Music gives energy. Music may be vocal singing or instrumental or natural and is spread all over the world.

Nowadays there are many music channels on television. Radio also broadcasts many music programmes.

In many offices, music is put on so that the workers can enjoy it with their work and remain relaxed.

Also, in some animals the effect of music is clearly seen. There was news some time back that the buffaloes at the Tirupati Trust- Go-shala produced more milk after listening to music.

The music of waterfalls, rain drops, wind chimes, produce immense effect. In some gardens there are musical fountains. Those at Vrindavan Garden , Mysore are appealing.

So, music is everywhere and it refreshes us.

SN Patra: Music is Ma Saraswati's gift. Westerners think nine Goddesses, daughters of Zeus, are the source of inspiration for music.

`Seven blindmen and the elephant' is applicable to music. It is as you understand it.

Music is vocal or instrumental: solo, duet or chorus; classical, medieval, modern or remix; romantic or devotional; morose; inspirational, patriotic and idyllic.

Memories of tunes and songs flash back and you feel nostalgic. Past, present and the memories `associated' set your mood. Often your nerves are soothed.

Tansen caused rain; cows give more milk; patients heal faster; loss of memory is revived by a particular song or music. Who can forget `he was a jolly good fellow'?

`Vande Mataram', `Jana Gana Mana', `Yeh watan ke logon', `I want to break free', `Saare jahan se achha,' `When I was just a little child', `Miley sur hamara tumhara', `Chuck Dey', `Do gaz zameen bhi na milee', `Lekey pahla pahla pyar', `Chod de aanchal zamana kya kahega', `Babuji dheere chalna' and `Champi tel maalish' do touch our hearts (`Chookar mere manko').

Music is a stress-buster. It soothes your nerves.

Dr. Balak Ram Kashyap: It does soothe one's nerves. It has a soothing effect upon the mind which gives inner peace, happiness and comfort. It is considered to be the language of the heart. Prayers in most of the scriptures are sung in conjunction with traditional instruments in our country. The Sikh scripture -Holy granth- is written ragas (form of musical song). The melodious recitation of the scriptures has a wonderful effect upon the mind of the devotees who forget their woes and worries at least for the time being.

We are all acquainted with the situation that weeping child is calmed down when the mother pats him and starts some melody. With this he either stops weeping or goes to sleep. Again we all know too well that in the programme of bhajan kirtan singing of devotional songs is done in accompaniment with usual musical instruments which gives inner peace and happiness to the devouts.

Music soothes the nerves of not only human beings but influences the plant life also. The great botanist Sir JC Bose carried out a unique experiment. He kept two plants in two different flower pots and placed them separately. Near one of the plants he used to play the musical instrument. When examined after an interval this plant registered more rapid growth as compared to the one which was kept separate and was not subjected to musical effect.

Rahul Nema: Yes, music does sooth my nerves, by helping me to gratify my soul and to lead me in my desirable world. Music provides colours to my life and I can't imagine my life without music. As we all know, human life is well wrapped with sorrows and happiness, these different chapters of our lives need to be celebrated with music. Music is widely classified for different moods, which provide me options to listen. On one side, music assists me to come out from sorrow, while on the other side it enhances my happiness. This versatility makes it most common hobby among us and almost everyone is addicted to it. Nevertheless, it is best support to my life.

Dr. Visal A Khan: It is believed that music stimulates the pituitary glands. Pituitary glands are governing the entire body functions. Stimulation helps gland secretions, affect the nervous system and promotes efficient flow of blood in nerves. It is believed that for healing process needs to vibrate the ill cells of the body, It is through these vibrations that the diseased person's consciousness can be changed effectively to promote health. The right kind of music helps one relax and refresh. Even during the course of working, light music improves efficiency. Listening to music helps control negative aspects of our personalities like worry, bias and anger. In addition, it can help cure headache, abdominal pain, tension, controlling emotions, blood pressure and restoring the functioning of the liver.

Raga Research Centre, Chennai is making a comprehensive study of Indian classical music ragas and evaluating their therapeutic potential with the help of musicians, doctors and psychiatrists. It is believed that classical Indian ragas can benefit a whole host of conditions ranging from insomnia, high and low blood pressure to schizophrenia, ageing, pains and epilepsy. History of Tansen during Mughal king Akbar created a field of Music therapy which self explained the capability of improving happiness, peace, health and mind concentration. It is however important to know the rhythm size and duration to establish dose of Music Therapy in order to administer for a particular symptom of disease.. This formula can be obtained through regular practice, experiment and experience. The first step towards this is the correct symptom, correct diagnosis of the disease and then the selection of the precise rhythm of raga which help to cure it. Research procedure, discipline and a systematic attempt will help to achieve this goal.

Debi Mukherjee: The notes of music namely Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha and Ni are intimately connected with human body. Each of the notes is emanated from the seven chakras in the body. Each note activates & affects the different cells of the body and mind.

Soothing effect of music on nerves is therefore observed in the age-old practice of singing a lullaby for inducing sleep to the babies. Linkages between music and creativity/efficiency/minimizing monotony of life could also be felt /perceived in various facets of life. Music is played in bus, train, airplane, three-wheeler, taxi and private vehicles not only for enjoyment but also for providing relaxation to the commuters. Listening to the music housewives get energized in performing their daily routine chores. There is music for relaxation technique/meditation and even for invoking Almighty. That is why choirs/devotional songs/Sufi music find place in spiritual practices. These are a few of the practical aspects of soothing effects of music on our nerves in daily life.

Scientifically speaking music therapy is now an established health service similar to occupational therapy and physical therapy. Research has shown the ability of music therapy to increase positive social interactions, positive emotions, and motivation in stroke patients. Music is often reported to have effect on increasing yield of milk from milched animals.

There are institutions/bodies in UK and USA for coducting treatment based on music therapy along with traditional therapy. In India also the subject has been gaining momentum. A National Conference on Music Therapy as an Alternative Medicine was held in India in the year 2007 to focus attention on the growing realization that music is undoubtedly an efficient non invasive alternative medicine not only for the elderly population but for various stages of life. Findings of recent research were brought out in the Conference. According to these findings music has beneficial effects in various conditions like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson disease, and mental retardation. Beneficial effects of Raga therapy on mentally retarded children were also enumerated. The Conference further observed that with our rich tradition of Carnatic and Hindustani Music for centuries, the potential beneficial effects of such music need to be explored and well documented.

The paper "Central Chronicle" deserves a kudos for inviting views of readers on this topic which will go a long way to generate mass awareness regarding the importance of music as recommended in the Conference.

Sushmita Shrivastava: There is no doubt that the music soothes our nerves. Research has shown that music has a profound effect on our body and psyche. In fact, there's a growing field of health care known as music therapy, which uses music to heal. Those who practice music therapy are finding a benefit in using music to help cancer patients, children suffering from various ailments and others and even hospitals are beginning to use music and music therapy to help with pain management, to help ward off depression, to promote movement, to calm patients, to ease muscle tension and for many other benefits that music and music therapy can bring. This is not surprising as music affects the body and mind in many powerful ways.

Research has shown that music with a strong beat can stimulate brainwaves to resonate in sync with the beat, with faster beats bringing sharper concentration and more alert thinking, and a slower tempo promoting a calm, meditative state. Music can also be used to bring a more positive state of mind, helping to keep depression and anxiety at bay. This can help prevent the stress response from wreaking havoc on the body, and can help keep creativity and optimism levels higher, bringing many other benefits. Music has also been found to bring many other benefits, such as lowering blood pressure (which can also reduce the risk of stroke and other health problems over time), boost immunity, ease muscle tension, and more. With so many benefits and such profound physical effects, it's no surprise that so many are seeing music as an important tool to help the body in staying (or becoming) healthy..

Anil Purohit: Music brings out the best putting individuals into a party, spiritual or a romantic mood. Different physiological changes take place within the human body in response to different sounds and noises. Music is a powerful catalyst for healing because body is inextricably tied to our emotional, mental and spiritual health. It touches the very core of humanity...our souls.

Researchers and music therapists believe that depression, grief, loneliness, even anger; need less medication and have more success in psychotherapy when music is added to their course of treatment. Music therapy can help counteract the damaging effects of chronic stress, bring a more positive state of mind, helping to keep depression at bay, lowering blood pressure, boost immunity, ease muscle tension, and more. With so many benefits and such profound physical effects, it's no surprise that so many are seeing music as an important tool to help the body in staying healthy. Strong beat can stimulate brainwaves bringing sharper concentration and more alert thinking.

When music is made out of love, incredible healing occurs.

Listen and make music is a Powerful Healing Tool which soothes the body and mind together.

Sumit Dhanraj: Music does soothe one's nerves and brings harmony in the cerebral hemisphere of nervous system. The musical symphony of organs, clashing of cymbals, beats of drums, vocals of flutes, and melody of singers generate a certain sort of enigma in one's system. This rhythmic music makes people to feel good even though they may be sad or sorrowful. A feeling of spirituality begins to rejuvenate mind and soul of the people. Often people forget where they are, what they are doing, who they are, why they are, so on and so forth. Music is such that it can soothe anyone.

When we are hungry we feel the need of eating something to satisfy our hunger, and same is the situation when we want to quench our thirst. When all of our physical, spiritual, psychological needs are met then arises a need in our minds for music, which relaxes, softens, and relishes our mental needs. The aroma of music cannot be smelled but can be sensed through nerves that produces reverberating presence of touch in hearts and minds towards music. Music floods our mind with emotional feel of every note, so as to become wholesome personality inculcating its essence in our daily life.

As prayer, meditation, and contemplation release all our pent up emotions similarly music releases all our burdens. One can find himself/herself lost in the musical symphony with the feeling of peace in one's heart and mind. In today's world where people are tensed, psychologically ill succumbing to obsessive compulsive behaviors, surrounded with diseases, broken relationships, etc; in such conditions music comes to one's rescue bubbling one's life with love, peace, and joy in all walks of life.

Music is a feeling of liberation. Music is the lubricant that makes the life a lot easier. Music breaks the tense and nervous preoccupation with ourselves. It frees us for a life of peace. Music holds out to us the only substantial hope for lasting happiness.

It is well said, Strike the right cord. If music is played observing the minute precautions of striking the right cords or notes of the organs, the guitar, etc; in life too, one must hold to values and principles like following the moral norms of society. A well balanced life with every necessary thing and relation brings holistic growth in people. In this fast moving age of globalization and IT world one should really give attention to music and its benefits. These days people feel more lonely and aloof due to work pressure and heavy load so there is a need to make friends with musical dimension of our life. `No man is an island,' and likewise we cannot just live without another human being so do with music. Therefore, I think that one should develop one's talent or skill in musical field too, along with many others because as per the well known saying, `The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.'

RJ Khurana: Metaphorically speaking not to talk of soothing frayed nerves musical resonance has the power to light the lamps, melt the rocks and cast a spell on the animals. Emperor Akbar's celebrated musician, Tansen and his disciple Birju Bawra were said to possess the powers to transport their listeners into a heavenly trance where there is pure bliss. In the present times maestros like Bhimsen Joshi, Ravi Shankar, Amjad Ali Khan, Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Shiv Kumar Sharma and Zakir Hussain to name only a few of the great names in classical and instrumental music have woven such magic with their instrument and melodious voices that listeners tend to forget all about themselves and start swaying with the rise and fall of the golden notes reaching their ears. And in vocal music who is not enchanted by the melodious voice of Lata Mangeshkar and her sister Asha Bhosle. In Sufi music, late Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, his son Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and many more have conjured the most heart-touching renderings and held the sway. Music is wonderful. Music is divine. Music is a balm for the soul.

RK Gupta: An art of music is as old as human civilization. It is an expression of the beauty of nature, supreme human emotions which unites the soul with the supernatural. It unites man with God. Mother Goddess Saraswati, Maa Sharda Veena Vadini, the Goddess of knowledge invented the first musical instrument veena as per Hindu mythology. Only a few are blessed with the genius of the music.

The uncountable musicians enriched and enhanced the Indian culture with their remarkable musical talents namely TAnsen, Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Mohammad Rafi, Talat Muhammad, Mukesh, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhonsle etc. Overall the Indian way of life and culture is brimming with the honey of music. From cradle to the marriage ceremony, all functions cannot be performed without music and songs. Thus music has invaluable role in human life.

Albeit all the effects of the music have not been tested scientifically. But, the music has healing qualities. It reduces stress and keeps the mind cool.

Unfortunately, we in India have not given proper stress on the music in our national curriculum as desired. In fact music is neglected in schools and college education. There is only one university of music that is Indira Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya in India, in old MP and presently at Khairagarh in Chhattisgarh.

The music in India is alive due to the film industry. The music in India plays great role in national integration and harmony. Indian music is secular in character; it does not differentiate Hindus and Muslims.

Amir Khusro was a great Indian musician. He invented many musical instruments. Guru Ravindranath Tagore had great musical instinct. He was founder of the famous Ravindra Sangeet.

Music is an art form where sweet sounds are connected methodically and harmonically with pleasing sound of definite pitch unlike mere noise. Noise cannot be called music because there is no harmony and melody. Instead it causes sound pollution which is hazardous to health. Noise gives rise to mental disorders whereas music has wonderful effects in human beings.

SS Chitwadgi: Yes or No. Only those who have developed taste for music enjoy. Taste is based on the intimate knowledge about music. There are varieties of music. Cinema type music is of general type mostly everyone enjoys and listens to. This music coupled with dance is light. One requires practice for this overtime to sing and dance. Similarly, those listeners of cinema type also should have certain amount of interest and patience to listen. Of late some TV channels provide for standard songs and dances. There is no doubt this requires art in presenting. Similarly, only those who are prone to appreciate music get their nerves soothed while listening otherwise not.

In fact, music which is classical is known as carnatik and South Indian. Classical music is both difficult to appreciate and more so to sing. There are few experts who have mastery in singing and attract crowds. The classical music is Age old. It was nursed in old kingdoms and rich people. The entire orchestra is so matching that listeners go with music and thoroughly enjoy. This is possible only when one has enough patience and deep interest to understand the intricacy of the music played by experts and orchestra.

To conclude Yes but no for those who don't show any interest since the beginning of one's life. None can get into liking in music unless one has those qualities to appreciate either classical or opt cinema style.

Jaskaran Singh Dhami: No, not at all. 'Music' does not sooth nerves. But, YES, the 'music that one likes' certainly has a soothing effect on his or her mind. Everyone has his own 'mood music'. My son likes pop music and finds it very relaxing whereas I find pop music quite raucous. I can't focus on my work and my 'muse' deserts me when the sound of drumbeat from my son's room drums my ear drums. I ask him to lower the volume or close the door of his or my room (sometimes both). My son says this music helps him concentrate more on his studies (amuse-ical, indeed!).

When I listen to Rafi or Mukesh's soulful songs or play melodious instrumentals of my favourite Hindi filmy songs (old, of course) it is not music to my son's ears (still, wet behind the ears, I think). The gazhals of Gulam Ali and Mehandi Hassan transcend me to another world but these have the same effect on my son as that of the smell of a Good Knight mat (mosquito repellent) on mosquitoes. What soothes my wife is the recitation of Gurbani, Punjabi folk music and of course, the praise of her food (which we always do or rather 'have to' do)

What I am trying to say is that, there is no music which can appease or appeal every one. Some people even find the music of Beethoven very tedious. So the bottom-line is that it depends on one's liking and one's liking depends on many factors like age, exposure, temperament, cultural background and even one's mood in a particular moment.

Effect of the music can not be questioned. There is music therapy which succeeds in curing many mental disorders. Even those who practice music therapy (I would like to call them 'musicopaths') take into account the likings of the patients, upbringing, the cultural background and many other factors before prescribing the type of music or administering the doses 'musical treatment'. This vouches for the fact that music has soothing or even therapeutic effect but the music that one likes.

Enough for 'Open Forum'. I feel dead beat and going to listen to Gulam Ali's gazhals to unwind. I can hear the door of my son's room slammed shut. (not very soothing, of course)

RK Kutty: "Oh sing to the Lord a new song; Sing to the Lord all the earth; Sing to the Lord, Bless His name, and Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day-to-day" (Psalm 96:1-2). From this, it is pertinently clear that not only music is meant for human beings but also God likes music.

Saptha Swaras: Saa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Nisa are the basic knots of the whole music throughout the world. Whether it is a Yesudas, Hariharan or Chithra of the south or an Adnan Sami or the Mangeshkars of the North, all play their music based on these knots. Not only that, there was even a practical experiment by Hariharan earlier to co-relate the Indian music (all sorts from classics to melody to all modern brands with the western music, with all its accompaniments and proved that the language of music is one and only one which is loved by humans world-wide and the divine beings, as the ultimate aim of all music is love, peace, joy and prosperity. Needless to mention, music always flows through the mouth only when the heart over-flows with peace, joy and happiness.

Not only humans, even all creations have the essence of music in them. Be it the cooing of the kuku, the mewing of the cows, crowing of the cocks in the morning or the crow and in these days even the frogs too make a humming sound that is so melodious that even prove one of the causes for the rain effect that refreshes everything on earth.

Some may think that most of the musical accompaniments being used to make music so classical or melodious are of modern origin, but Biblically the Book of Daniel, written around 605-536 BC quotes names of such musical instruments like horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music when King of Kings Nebuchadnezzar wanted to install his infamous golden idol in his Capital city - Babylon.

Undoubtedly, music soothes human nerves and it is now already proven medically. Music is being used as a sort of therapy by many hospitals. One may be in the most tense moment, a raga or a flute or a tabla played with perfection can ease out the tension and unnerve one to walk up for his next chores of life. Indian classical music - carnatic, vocal or any other have universal acceptance. Almost all our ancient rulers - Hindu, Muslim or others have nurtured musical Gharanas, where several famous musicians left an indelible mark of their ragas. Miyan Tansen's ragas even pleased the divine that poured out rain as blessings. But, how far modern musicians could come up to that standard is a point to ponder over. Since the question under debate is whether music soothes nerves, one should also point out one thing quite frankly that there is also music that when sung, instead of soothing, it may prove a nerve-wreck.

Subhash Chandra Agrawal: Open Forum topic for discussion 'Music sooths your nerves?' reminds me of recent verdict of Mr Justice S Rabindra Bhatt of Delhi High Court directing a temple to strictly follow guidelines for using loud-speakers when temple-authorities pleaded that their bhajans and music were soft music pleasant for hearing! Observation of the Honourable Judge to this was that softness or noise of any music depended on choice of listeners rather than the one who was playing it!

While young generation like fast music and modern fast-fading numbers, old timers like ever-fresh songs from films of yester-years in tune with the saying 'Old is gold'!

Krishna Chander Mouli: Yes music has been a remedy of thousand ailments. Our mythologicals speak of divine music both vocal and instrumental. Three such very well known musical instruments through which divine music emanated were Tambura or Ektara of Sage Narad, Veena of Goddess Saraswati and flute of Lord Krishna are very often quoted in our books. Among some other immortal saints and sages who communicated with their devotees and followers with the help of musical instruments were Gurunanak Devji with Rubab(like Sarangi), Krishna Chaitanya Prabhu, Meera, Vittobha, Gyaneshwar Bhakt Potanna and Saint Tyagaraja of South both of whom claimed to have had the audience(darshan) of Lord Ram. Instrumental music and devotional songs by those god-gifted singers and musicians like Tansen, Baiju Bawra, Baaz Bahadur, Rani Roopmati are some names associated with history whose renderings were not only melodious and mellifluous but also soothing. Among the modern musicians in vocal and instrumental music late Bismilla Khan (Shehnai), Amjad Ali Khan (Sarod), N Rajam (Violin) Omprakash Chaurasia (flute), Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma (Santoor), Bhimsen Joshi, Pt, Jasraj, Kishori Amonkar, Lata Mangeshkar, Balmurali Krishna (south) are some of the exponents of classical music whose renderings also have always been soothing..

There have been fictional and real stories of happenings where melodious music had a soothing effect on not only healthy beings but also on diseased persons. In recent years experiments under controlled conditions were conducted under stress management on not only human beings through music which had soothing and stress relieving effect on them but also on animals like milch cattle to reduce their tension and increase their yield. Even in some stress related diseases soothing effect worked positively and relieved the patients from their pain and suffering.

All said and done this therapy is a system of belief and patience which usually human beings ,as they are, do not possess. Yet the fact remains that music has definitely a soothing effect.

AB Mehta: Historically, according to Hindu mythology, music originated with the first sound ever to be heard in the universe, the Naadbrahma, or Om. This initial musical sound is the very basis of meditation that is the single most popular form of nerve soothing therapy all over the world. Shruti (sound or speech) and smriti (memory) were the only means of passing knowledge down the generations before writing process evolved. Natyashastra, written between 200BC and 200AD, gives very significant information about Indian music, various concepts related to it, and musical instruments.

The Persian kings brought with them their own entourages of artists, singers and scholars and thus their own evolved styles of music. With the Muslim rulers came the mehfil (gatherings of musicians, singers, dancers and poets) at the homes of noblemen and royals. The styles of singing created specific gharanas and gazals became a popular mode of music. Generally considered to be from 1420 to 1600 AD, the Renaissance (which literally means "rebirth") was a time of great cultural awakening and a flowering of the arts, letters, and sciences throughout Europe. The modern music in the West evolved from this period.

Newer forms of media started to emerge that brought with them sounds from all over the world. The airwaves were coming alive and a vast variety of western influences crept into Indian music. Popular music, which was mainly folk music till now, began to take on a different meaning altogether, especially with the advent of cinema and TV. Technological progress brought about music systems of improving quality and increasing storage for long and easy listening of music from any location or environment.

Music in any form has been scientifically found to have a theraptic effect. Music therapy has been found to help with pain management, ward off depression, calm patients, ease muscle tension, and provide many other benefits. Soothing music in an operational theatre is quite common these days. This is not surprising, as music affects the body and mind in many powerful ways. Music can bring lasting benefits to your state of mind, even after you've stopped listening. This can mean slower breathing; slower heart rate and it can activate relaxation among other things. This is why music and music therapy can help counteract or prevent the damaging effects of stress that is so common in the current atmosphere of competition and rising prices.

Music can also be used to bring a more positive state of mind, helping to keep depression and anxiety at bay. Music has also been found to bring benefits such as lowering blood pressure (which can also reduce the risk of stroke and other health problems over time), boost immunity, ease muscle tension, and more. It helps us to open ourselves emotionally and let loose with feelings that may be causing disease.

Unlike the pronounced rhythmic style of music in the west, music in India has always been melodious having primarily a soothing effect. It is enjoyed better in silence (and even with eyes closed) as the knowledgeable listeners absorb each note.

Spiritually speaking, it inspires us to examine our lives, our relationships and ourselves. Through our mind and emotion, music can reduce stress. Music is a powerful catalyst for healing because it touches the very core of humanity... our souls. With music, we can remember our connection to the Creator and the powerful Healer within.