Devotional music is a type of music that accompanies religious observances and rituals. It has been a part of many major religions, including Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, and others. Devotional music can take many forms, including hymns, chants, and songs. It is often sung in particular rhythms that are sustained over a prolonged period to give practitioners a mystical experience.
In Christianity, devotional music has been a part of the liturgy in Roman Catholicism, Lutheranism, the Greek Orthodox Church, the Russian Orthodox Church, and others, since their earliest days. In Eastern and Near-Eastern religions, devotionals can function as communion prayer and meditation.
Devotional music has been proven to have a calming effect on the mind and can improve overall cognitive function, including memory, attention, and problem-solving. It can also improve mood, reduce anxiety, and increase positivity and well-being.
Some examples of devotional music include:
- Bhajan: a Hindu or Sikh devotional
- Borgeet: an Assamese devotional
- Qawwali: the devotional music of the Sufis, a mystical tradition of Islam
- Gunla Bajan
- Dapha music
- Sufi music
- Shyama Sangeet
- Kirtan
In summary, devotional music is a type of music that accompanies religious observances and rituals. It has been a part of many major religions and can take many forms, including hymns, chants, and songs. Devotional music has been proven to have a calming effect on the mind and can improve overall cognitive function, including memory, attention, and problem-solving.
