EEG study: ancient chants like Shiv Tandav Stotra boost brain connectivity

A new preprint on arXiv (2606.24406) from Singh et al. at IIIT-Bangalore presents a single-subject EEG pilot investigating how different auditory chants modulate neural activity. The study recorded a healthy 5-year-old's brain under five conditions: resting state, Shiv Tandav Stotra (STS), Mahasudarshan Mantra (MM), Aum Chant, and Tanpura (instrumental drone). Spectral power analysis revealed condition-specific oscillatory modulation, with STS listening producing the highest relative power across multiple frequency bands—particularly in the beta range (13–30 Hz), which is associated with active concentration and cognitive processing.

Functional connectivity analysis using the weighted Phase Lag Index (wPLI) showed distinct network organizations. STS exhibited the strongest and most widespread connectivity pattern, with prominent long-range interactions linking frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital regions. Tanpura generated a dense but balanced network, while Aum showed moderate distributed connectivity. In contrast, MM and resting state displayed weaker, more localized network organization. These preliminary findings suggest that different chant types engage distinct neural mechanisms involving both cortical activation and large-scale synchronization. The study establishes a methodological framework for future research on culturally relevant auditory interventions in cognitive development and neuroeducation.