As mental health talks gain traction,music's therapeutic power is getting another look,especially in India. Veteran pianist Chad Lawson just dropped Awakening: The Stillness Within, an album of hope,grief,memory. Collaborating with artists like flautist Rasika Shekar and sitar maestro Purbayan Chatterjee, this nine-track album blends Western classical with Indian sounds. Produced by Vedam Records and Decca Records,it's part of a wellness music trend catching global ears.
Lawson says much of this music,now called wellness music, has deep roots in Indian traditions. “So much of what the rest of world now calls wellness music grew out of traditions that have been alive in India for centuries.” Psychologist Shantala Hegde from the Music Cognition Lab at National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences in Bengaluru agrees . Music's calming effects are for everyone. “Music definitely has calming effect,” she says, noting its biological impact beyond culture.
Wellness music's rising, but Hegde warns research isn't conclusive. Some ragas bring peace,but music can't be a one-size-fits-all therapy. “Background music can influence cognitive function,attention and processing speed,but it may not benefit everyone,” she explains.
Wellness music scene's shifting fast . Devraj Sanyal,CEO of Universal Music Group India and South Asia,notes mental health awareness rise led to Vedam Records' creation,focusing on Indian wellness practices. The label splits wellness music into yoga, meditation,focus, sleep,chakra balancing . In May 2025,Vedam launched Sound Therapy with Apple Music,offering relaxation tunes from artists like Katy Perry and Ludovico Einaudi.
Demand for wellness music grows,so does interest in festivals around it. Nathan Menezes, founder of ELVT Live, sees festival-goers wanting immersive experiences . He credits post-pandemic travel fatigue,a longing for deeper connections. “People now expect holistic, sensory and almost transformational experience at these festivals,” he notes.
Lawson thinks these events offer unique communal stillness. “Something special happens when a roomful of people agrees to be still at the same time,” he reflects. Wellness practitioners like Anuradha Pal, a tabla player with programs for mental health through rhythm and breath,echo this. Her Healing Tabla Experience highlights music's role in well-being.
Potential music benefits for mental health are under exploration,but Hegde warns against oversimplifying. Focus should be on overall wellness,not just music. “We are also looking at unhealthy parts of music,” she warns, pointing to music and mental health's complex ties .
Challenges aside, Sanyal is hopeful about wellness music's future in India. While not a cure,it can boost calm and focus. “If we develop it over period, with the right amount of resources,India will be a major part of the future wellness music space, globally,” he concludes. Will it all come together…?
