Ranjini Jose lends healing touch

KOCHI: As part of the Kochi Biennale Foundation’s ‘Arts and Medicine’ programme, noted playback singer and actress Ranjini Jose performed a string of old melodies for the patients of Ernakulam Government General Hospital.  In her first solo performance, Ranjini captured the audience through her mellifluous rendering of soulful melodies. Apart from patients and their relatives, doctors and hospital staff enjoyed the musical moments.

Young Ranjini opened the recital with the very suitable Lokam muzhuvan sukhampakaraanai from the 1972 film Snehadeepame Mizhi Thuraku and ended with a peppy number. In the audience was her mentor, composer Berny of Berny – Ignatius fame, whose band Teen Taal will perform a Diwali special ‘Arts and Medicine’ show on October 22.

The star singer, who gave up a medical college seat to pursue a career in singing, also took time off to point out that the benefits of music have been scientifically proven. “Even when you are feeling stressed out, music can relieve you. The ‘Arts and Medicine’ is a noble cause. I hope I could impart some joy to patients through my participation,” said Ranjini who has sung for several movies.

The ‘Arts and Medicine’ programme which debuted in February — 10 months ahead of the second Kochi-Muziris Biennale, is being organised every Wednesday, in association with the Mehboob Memorial Orchestra and the district administration.

Bonny Thomas, organiser of the Arts and Medicine programme, said that KBF was proud to make this connect with the public. “We have a good line-up of artists in the coming weeks, including the Berny Ignatius show, which will feature a band with 17 children,” he said.