The therapeutic role of Dhrupad kharaj exercises in vocal development and mental well-being

In a world facing a high prevalence of mental disorders —anxiety, depression, burnout, suicide, and social isolation [1] —artistic and musical practices offer essential pathways to restoring both inner and collective balance [2]. Among these, kharaj exercises derived from Dhrupad, the oldest form of Indian classical music, occupy a unique place. These slow, low-frequency vocalizations cultivate breath awareness, bodily grounding, and emotional stability. They act on the vocal cords, regulate the nervous system, and enhance heart-rate coherence [3,4]. As such, they represent a form of music pedagogy capable of addressing contemporary mental health challenges. Through its meditative and non-competitive ethos, Dhrupad fosters a renewed way of listening to oneself, to others, and to nature [2, 5–7].