Music flowed in the corridors of the General Hospital, bringing on smiles with each song that singer Afzal sang for the patients. Melodies old and new gladdened their hearts. Afzal was singing at the special venue set up on the lawns of the hospital on Wednesday, organised as part of the Kochi Biennale Foundation’s Art and Medicine initiative.
Interacting with the patients and their bystanders, Afzal entertained their requests too.
After the ‘Art and Medicine’ project was launched on Saturday last, this was the first musical show. Every Wednesday at 11 a.m., a music performance will be conducted for the patients as part of the project. Conducted in partnership with the Cleveland Clinic and the Ernakulam district administration, the project aims to soothe the ailing mind and body with music and art. “Music, sculptures, paintings, drawings and cartoons, can all provide comfort and bring optimism and positive energy in a hospital environment,” said KBF trustee and research coordinator Bonnie Thomas.
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“My ability is a gift from God. I am happy to be able to put it to good use and to help people,” said Afzal. He urged fellow artists to join the KBF’s initiative.
As part of the Art and Medicine project, Australian artist Daniel Connel will be at the hospital from next Saturday.