Study of valence of musical emotions and its laterality evoked by instrumental Indian classical music: An EEG study

Valence of musical emotions and its laterality evoked by instrumental Indian music has been examined using well-established model of frontal regional activation of emotions as a theoretical framework. A sample of forty-one subjects given piece of instrumental Indian classical music, and Electroencephalogram (EEG) signals recorded before and during listening to the music. All participants divided into two groups of appreciator and non-appreciator based upon their feedback given by them at the end of the recording session, noted by rating to the music given by the subjects used in the study. Using Fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithm power in the theta band at frontal region was calculated. It has been found out significant increase in frontal midline theta power in appreciator left brain when compared to the right. Moreover, significant decrease in frontal midline theta power in non-appreciator's left hemisphere. These findings and comparison with psychometric data provided by subjects reveals positive or pleasant emotions evoked by instrumental Indian classical music are processed by left frontal region. And activation and non-activation of frontal left lobe depends upon Subject being an appreciator or non-appreciator of music. Hence, supporting established finding in Indian population for appreciation of Indian Classical Music. Moreover, processing of music by the brain is beyond the realms of culture.