For film lovers, Dr Shamitha Malnad needs no introduction. Her rendition of the popular song Madhura Pisumathige, Adhara Thusu Preetige from the film Birugali touched the hearts of many young lovers.
Malnad, besides being a musician, is also a dentist. It was never easy balancing both music and medicine. “I could neither miss a class, as it was a professional course, nor miss any recording. Practicals, seminars, exams, for four years those were difficult to manage. During college, I didn’t sing songs for films. Yet, music directors encouraged me by holding recordings after college hours and friends helped with study notes,” she says.
Though Malnad wanted to be a gynaecologist, she ended up earning dual graduate degrees in Dental Surgery from Vokkaligara Sangha Dental College, KIMS, Bangalore and another in Arts from Hindi Prachar Sabha, Chennai. Malnad then started a dental clinic along with a friend but often found herself away with recordings than at her chambers. “It became difficult for me to visit the clinic even once in a week. Recordings, shows and practice took up a major chunk of my time. And I didn’t quite regret it. Through music, I reach a large number of people, and spread awareness about health issues through charity programmes.” Malnad is now a playback singer, composer, anchor, and dubbing and voice artiste.
Recalling one of her most memorable concerts, she says, “In the USA, I hosted a charity show to raise funds for a Bangalore-based foundation that spreads awareness about cancer. We raised over `20 lakh. I can never forget that.”
So, does Malnad, the dentist, take a back seat? She says, “I still consult at the clinic. The minute I have a probe and mirror in my hand, I become the doctor. It is always exciting to investigate and diagnose problems. I love both the fields.”
Shamitha Malnad
Dentist, singer and voice artiste