Biennale Music: A Melodic Rendezvous for Patients at General Hospital

KOCHI:
Professional singers Sangeetha Nair and Yahiya Azeez teamed up with cancer expert Dr. Balamurali to dish out a medley of songs for patients and bystanders at the Government General Hospital here as the all-Wednesday and popular ‘Arts and Medicine’ programme, organised by the Kochi Biennale Foundation, entered its 182nd week.
Sangeetha, the singer from Palarivattom, hit the musical notes with panache. She began the show with the song ‘Janaki Jane’ from the movie Dhwani, followed by ‘Etho Varmukilin’ from the 1991 movie Pookkalam Varavayi.
Sangeetha, who worked in the banking sector for some years before slipping into the role of a homemaker, has been a passionate singer for the past two participating in many concerts and programmes in and around Kochi. An integral part of the ‘Sangam’ music troupe, she has also featured in several music programmes in leading TV channels too.
Dr. Balamurali, an oncologist at the General Hospital, played his part by rendering the song ‘Nin Maniyarayile’ from the 1971 movie CID Nazir, originally sung by P. Jayachandran, swaying the crowd of patients, bystanders and medical staff with rhythm and melody.
Yahiya Azeez who is a regular presence at the show sang over five songs. The singers together belted out more than 14 Malayalam, Hindi and Tamil songs, which kept the crowd cheering them throughout the show.
“Music is hardwired into our physiology and it is natural to feel relaxed, soothed and calmed when listening to soul-warming music. To be able to be a mood-lifting catalyst or to spark a positive vibe, it needs regular live interactions with the crowd and knowing their musical tastes,” said Sangeetha, who is currently training in Carnatic music and also doing music albums.
‘Arts and Medicine’ is an initiative of the KBF in association with Mehboob Memorial Orchestra and is sponsored by CAFS (Casino Air Caterers & Flight Services) to provide solace to patients through therapeutic live music.