KOCHI:
A grey overcast sky threatening heavy downpour failed to dampen the spirit of singers Salimon and Mani Shanmugan, who gave a gripping performance at the weekly Kochi Biennale Foundation’s (KBF) ‘Arts and Medicine’ show here today at the Government General Hospital.
Mehboob Memorial Orchestra offered accompaniment to the brother-sister vocal team who led t
he weekly programme aimed at offering solace to patients at the hospital.
The 173rd edition of the show opened with Sankarabharanam by Salimon, followed by Karivalayitta Kaiyyil Kudamulla, a Devarajan Master classic. His sister Mani followed with Dwarake Dwarake from the 1975 film, Hello Darling, and Kaanakuyile Padu, sung originally by S Janaki. Together they sang 14 songs in Malayalam, Tamil and Hindi, including the classic Aaja Re Pardesi duet composed by Salil Choudhary.
Vocalist Salimon has marked his presence in the music field for over four decades. He started singing at the tender age of eleven and has participated in many stage shows. He is a proud recipient of many awards including the Delhi Ambedkar Award(2010), Jyotirao Phule Award (2011), Sri Buddha Award(2012).
Salimon has also crooned five film songs and served as music director for the film, ‘Puzha’. He had sung songs and composed the music for the drama which was enacted by ministers at the 50th Anniversary of the Legislative Assembly.
Mani, who currently resides in Tripunithura, Ernakulam, has previously sung light music for Trissur Radio Station and appeared in programmes like Prabhatha Vandanam and Sangeetha Padam. She retired from government school service after 26 years and is also a recipient of awards including the New Delhi Ambedkar National Fellowship (2012) and Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy –Gurupuja Award (2015). She is a singer with the ‘ganamela’ troupe of Thyagaraja School of Music.
“Music should sparkle with depth, vibrancy and honesty; music that touches the soul is always received warmly. The platform sponsored by the KBF gives an opportunity for singers to render heartening performances for the patients,” said Salimon.
The all-Wednesday ‘Arts and Medicine’ is an initiative of the Kochi Biennale Foundation in association with Mehboob Memorial orchestra and sponsored by CAFS (Casino Air Caterers & Flight Services) aiming to provide solace to patients through therapeutic music.
