KOCHI: If vintage Hindi and Malayalam film songs form an ideal balm for the mind, then noted singer Saritha Rehman used their optimum potential through soulful rendition before patients at the Government General Hospital here on Wednesday.
The hour-long recital had a dash of the season’s flavour too, as it was hosted as part of the Onam special ‘Arts and Medicine’ programme organised by the Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF), along with Lakeshore Hospital and Research Centre Ltd and Mehboob Memorial Orchestra. At the 79th edition of the popular series held every Wednesday, the programme began with Saritha crooning the popular Hindi melody ‘Ehsaan Tera Hoga’ from the 1961 movie ‘Junglee’.
The vocalist, who is greatly fond of M S Baburaj, then came up with the song ‘Akaashathile Nandini’ from the movie ‘Agniputhri’ composed by the legendary composer-musician. Saritha, who has performed at more than 300 shows, is daughter of noted musician Chavakad Rehman. Having done her graduation in music, Saritha is currently learning Hindustani music. Her mother, Abida Rehman is also a singer.
“Though I have performed many concerts, this event is special for me. The initiative to give a healing touch through music therapy is admirable,” she said during the show. Saritha also enthralled the audience with old hits of iconic vocalists Lata Mangeshkar and P Sushila, among others.