Abstract
This critical review examines the potential of Indian Classical Music (ICM) as a structured auditory intervention for stress management. This study synthesizes evidence from 35 peer-reviewed publications (2000–2026) to examine the relationship between Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) and contemporary psychophysiological research. By mapping traditional Raga Chikitsa frameworks against empirical markers such as heart rate variability (HRV) and cortisol, this review evaluates the regulatory impact of ragas on the autonomic nervous system. The available evidence suggests that ICM may provide a culturally relevant framework for emotional regulation, though the current literature remains heterogeneous. This paper proposes a conceptual Standardized Raga Protocol (SRP) to improve clinical reproducibility and future research quality.
Keywords: Indian Classical Music, Raga Chikitsa, Music Therapy, Stress Physiology, Autonomic Nervous System, Critical Review, Integrative Health.