Role of music in promoting environmental consciousness among citizens
Authors:   Manyavar Kanshiram Government Degree College Ghaziabad, Singh Bhagat 
Published: February 2025

Music is a world language which has the ability to influence living beings through sound and rhythm. Indian music by its nature is a collection of subtle melodious sounds. Elegance is an element in Indian music which expresses the delicacy of nature.The sounds of music containing Shruti communicate subtle emotions in the human heart which make humans sensitive towards nature. Through music, we can start conversations about natural disasters, trees and climate change and create awareness that mobilizes people and inspires them to see, understand and deal with natural conflicts. Music attracts people from all walks of life.Music has the ability to convey the message of awareness about nature and the environment to children, young and old, easily. The song ‘Swachh Bharat Ka Iraad Kar Liya Hume’, played every morning in the municipal vehicle in our locality, inspires cleanliness and garbage collection in homes. Through this song, people get the opportunity to collectively contribute to the Swachh Bharat Mission.Indian music has also been called Naadyoga which makes a person grateful towards the entire nature and communicates love towards it. The musical notes, moving with the words, rhythm and beat, touch our hearts and we easily remember the inspirational lines. The sound system of nature, present in the sounds of music, connects us with nature in the form of forest, river, mountain, waterfall, rain, sound of leaves, chirping of birds etc.The sounds of birdsong, wind and rain are incorporated to create a calming and contemplative soundscape. People who listen to the ragas of classical music start disliking the noise and harsh sounds. A student of classical music starts running away from all loud sounds and noisy instruments. This awakens awareness of prevention of noise pollution in the environment.Simple and beautiful depictions of love for nature are found in the folktales and folklore of many provinces of India, which are presented in the form of music and create a healthy natural environment in our minds. Music reaches out to people of all ages and backgrounds and unites them. By providing lyricism to the songs, music makes them reach the common man.Apart from the power of words, the sound power of music is also very impressive. Musical instruments and sound waves are fully capable of establishing identity with nature. The compositions of Indian classical music are also complemented by the beauty of the Indian natural environment. In most of the compositions of the Middle Ages in Khayal singing, there are mentions of wild life and human relationships in the language of that time. Vocal compositions awaken the love of nature within us.People also get education about natural conservation. In the present era, by using the power of music, artists are teaching environmental protection to the earth’s inhabitants. In Indian music, ragas like Basant, Megh, Hemant, Hindol, Malhar etc. have been named on the basis of seasons. The seasons are also described in musical notes. Collective singing and playing is a symbol of group power which makes everyone feel disciplined and take resolutions.Enthusiasm is awakened in the mind through group songs and we keep humming the lines of the songs due to which we remain aware of our duties. Awareness towards the environment can also be created through storytelling through music. Storytelling has more impact on the public mind. The delicacy of nature is present in the elegance of music. The joyful element of music, which is well expressed in classical music, easily inspires love for nature in the public mind.