KOCHI:
No less than 8,000 km away from the British capital he resides in, Fahad performed in his native Kerala on Wednesday for a curious gathering in this coastal city. Those at the Government General hospital in Ernakulam were entertained by London-based musician and co-singer Kalabhavan Bindu at the weekly programme organised by the Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF).
A native of Kozhikode, Fahad graduated in Business Management from the University of Wales, Lampeter and now runs a music and event management company, YAF Music Productions in the UK. He performed for the ‘Arts and Medicine’ show a day after launch of a music band in Kerala as well.
Fahad, who hails from Kozhikode, the land of iconic composer M S Baburaj, enjoys a cultural background typical of the upstate Malabar city. Having had his first stage performance at the age of 12, he is an ardent fan of legendary singer Mohammad Rafi — and had joined hands with Mehboob Memorial Orchestra and performed for ‘RAFINITE’ music show hosted in memory of the singer in 2005, ’09 and ‘18. A famed musician, he tirelessly pursues his passion for music wherever he goes.
“What the KBF is organising every week at the hospital for the patients is something commendable. I had heard about the popularity of the show and always wanted to be a part of it. I happened to be here for a band launch and was keen to make it happen with the help of the organisers at the 237th episode of the show,” Fahad said. “There were special requests for songs and we specially chose melodious songs and avoided the noisy ones to shun disturbance for ailing patients who were bedridden.”
Bindu, who accompanied Fahad in his rendition, has performed solos much to the delight of the patients. After garnering a Ganabhushanam from RLV College of Music and Fine Arts at Thripunithura, south of Kochi. She was a part of Kalabhavan Cochin and Angels Voice Cochin, where she was a lead singer. She has performed in and outside India in her musical journey.
Fahad began the music concert, lightening the premises of the hospital, with the Hindi Mohammad Rafi hit numbers, Ap Ki Haseen Rukh and Teri Aankhon Ke Siva. What followed were two duets: evergreen Hindi melodies Kora Kagaz Ta Ye Man Mera and Deewana Hua Baadal. Sixteen songs had the crowd applauding the duo.
The programme, a joint initiative of the 2010-founded KBF and Mehboob Memorial Orchestra, aims to provide solace to patients through therapeutic music. The popular show began in 2014, and has featured various professional and amateur artists as well as celebrities.
