The first programme of the New Year’s art and medicine project organised by the Kochi-Muziris Biennale Foundation every Wednesday at the General Hospital began with a message from Archbishop Joseph Kalathiparambil of Varapuzha Archdiocese on the importance of therapeutic music in mitigating the suffering of the sick.
Singer Bibin George presented a mélange of carefully chosen old and new songs to an audience of patients, bystanders and hospital staff who responded spontaneously with applause.
It was the Archbishop’s first public programme after being appointed to head the diocese.
He said, “To visualise a society devoid of diseases and ailments is impractical at this stage, where the air that we breathe, the food that we consume and the water that we drink are all highly polluted”. He appreciated the therapeutic musical shows providing solace to patients.
Bibin was accompanied by Yahiya Azeez and Mani, a social worker who sings for charity. Together, they belted out a dozen songs in Malayalam and Hindi. Bibin started with the song, ‘ Anuragini Itha En Karalil Virnija Pookal’ (from the film ‘Oru Kudakkeezhil’, 1985) and moved on to, ‘ Kalakalam Kayalolangal’ , (Ee Ganam Marakkumo, 1978) and concluded with the song, ‘Anuraga Lola Gathri’ (Dhwani, 1988). Vocalist Bibin of the music reality show fame is a first year philosophy student at the Aluva Carmelgiri Pontifical Seminary and has trained in music under Perumbavoor Chandramana Namboothiri.
This week’s musical show marked the 151st episode.
The weekly shows are held in association with Mehboob Memorial Orchestra and Lakeshore Hospital and Research Centre Ltd.
