A vocalist couple livened up the celebrated ‘Arts and Medicine’ programme of the Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF) on Wednesday.
The 39 edition of the programme saw them sing soothing duets at the Ernakulam General Hospital in the run-up to the second edition of the Kochi Muziris Biennale, slated to begin on December 12.
Kalabhavan Sabu and his spouse Mini P.R. dished up some old and contemporary film numbers in the event that opened with an invocatory song by a veteran policeman.
Sabu started off with the song, Sangeethame amara sallapame from the film Sargam that dwells on the healing power of music.
“Many singer-friends of mine have come back with great reports of being part of this biennale programme,” he said. “It is a great feeling to continue this trend of offering relief through music.”
Mini crooned chart-busting numbers whose genres ranged from raga-based and light songs to folksy — with artistes from the Mehboob Memorial Orchestra providing accompaniment.
Earlier, V.C. Chandran, a retired ASI of Police, kicked off the 75-minute show with a brief but enchantingly secular number.
Chandran, who had received a social service award for the work he had done at this hospital a few years ago, said he visited the hospital on Wednesday to look up his brother-in-law admitted there for surgery.
Chandran, into vegetable farming post-retirement around his house at Malippuram in the Vypeen Island, said his song had a special meaning in the hospital environment.
Coincidentally for the gathering, Pravachakanmare , which Sabu sang as his second number at the recital, has a chunk of its scenes shot in Kochi on the road in front of the General Hospital.
Biennale research coordinator Bonny Thomas, who organises the popular ‘Arts and Medicine’ every Wednesday, spoke about how the programme gained a reputation over the months.
“From bringing top singers, the event now has regular requests from bystanders who would like to join in,” he said.
