KOCHI:
Playback singers Mithun Jayaraj and Nidhin Raj were at their entertaining best today when they performed back-to-back for patients at the Government General hospital here as part of a famed weekly show being organised by the Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF).
It was at the all-Wednesday ‘Arts and Medicine’ that the two musicians showcased their talent and skills, presenting a 90-minute concert that was co-hosted by Mehboob Memorial Orchestra. The 244th episode of the therapeutic programme comes three weeks ahead of the 108-day Kochi-Muziris Biennale, which is the subcontinent’s biggest contemporary art festival.
Mithun, who is a postgraduate from the RLV college of Music, Thripunithura, has learned also under (late) composer V Dakshinamoorthy. A native of upstate Kannur, Mithun has himself tuned songs for the recent movie Udalazham with Sithara Krishnakumar. He has also worked as a programmer for top composer C Rajamani.
Mithun’s songs today included Kripakari from ‘Aravindante Athithikal’, Souhrudam (‘Kamuki’), Puzhayil (‘Udalazham’) and Kalam vanne from (‘Jomonte Suvisheshangal’). His opening rendition was Hridaya Sarasile from the 1968 movie ‘Paadunna Puzha’.
Nidhin, who hails from Chalakudy in Thrissur district, is also a composer by profession and is an associate to music director Anand Madhusoodanan. Trained in classical under Latha Sreeram and Krishnankutty Marar, Nidhin showcased his versatility by stringing songs such as Puthumayezhunnoru, Uyaraan Padaraan, Cherupulliyuduppitta (‘Njan Marykutty’) and Oru Kochu Kumbilaanennaakilum.
Nidhin has worked with music directors, Gopi Sunder, Mathews Pulikkan, Rakesh Ravi and Rithwik S Chand, besides having sung musical albums. His Muhabathin Urumal has crossed close to 25 lakh views on YouTube. At the hospital, Nidhin began his musical contribution with Chakravarthini Ninakku from the 1972 movie ‘Chembarathi’. The magic of Kannimanga prayathil, a popular folk song by late Kalabhavan Mani, was reproduced as a duet, concluding the show.
Overall, today’s concert featured 15 songs to the thorough enjoyment of the audience comprising patients, bystanders and medical staff.
