Effect of the Karnatic music raga "Neelambari" on sleep architecture
Gitanjali, B.
Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 42(1): 119-122
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5499 PMID: 9513803 Document Number: 491608
The raga Nelambari in the classical Indian Karnatic system of music is said to be able to induce sleep and also have some sleep promoting qualities. This hypothesis was scientifically tested using sleep polysomnography with eight healthy subjects who listened to either Neelambari (test) raga or Kalyani (control) raga. There was no difference in sleep architecture or in subjective feeling of quality of sleep. The anecdotal references to the quality of sleep promoting effects of Neelambari probably reflect a conditioned response since most lullabies in South India are sung in Neelambari raga.