Music not just entertains, but also possesses the power to unite and spread messages that need to reach as many people as possible. One such effort is Music Heals. It will be an amalgamation of pioneers and contemporaries, when music composers from both the bygone and the current eras get onto the stage to play music and raise funds for Cancer Aid and Research Foundation (CARF).
Music Heals, a concert that will bring together renowned Bollywood music director teams such as Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Kalyanji-Anandji, Shiv-Hari and Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy on one stage, will attempt to gather funds for CARF in its support for the cause. “We personally don’t get a chance to do anything to help such causes. So, even if we can contribute 0.1 per cent through such a concert, it is an achievement for us. The show is associated with cancer and its research and we have lost some of our closest people to this disease. Hence, we thought that if we could help raise any funds for the event we would be glad. Also, we know for a fact that the funds are going in the right place and it will actually help the ones who require it,” said composer Shankar Mahadevan.
To this, veteran composer Pyarelal added, “Music Heals, as the name suggests, will help heal people who need support and care. If our art can help someone, we would be more than grateful. That’s why all of us have gotten together for this.”
The performance that will take place in the city on December 10 will also bring forth musical performances by singers such as Kavita Krishnamurthi, Alka Yalgnik, Hariharan, Sudesh Bhosle, Javed Ali and Sapna Mukherjee among others, along
with 40 chorus artists
and a mammoth live orchestra consisting of 120 musicians.
“A show at such a massive level is happening after a long time. With more than 120 musicians performing live, I am glad to be a part of this show. It has artists from the time we call the ‘Renaissance era of music’ to the ‘modern age’. Also, its good to know that the money collected is not only going to aid cancer patients but also going to be used towards research work. Research is as important as new innovations and can help save our dear ones in the future,” expressed singer Kavita Krishnamurthi.
Sudhesh Bhosle echoed a similar stance. “After a long time, a show with such a magnificent concept is being brought to fruition. It is a great opportunity to witness such great artistes across the spectrum perform on the same stage,” he said.
Apart from being part of an event that supports a socially relevant cause, younger artistes are also elated that they will be part of a musical journey that marks the coming together of the Hindi film industry’s music veterans.
“We consider ourselves babies in front of such maestros and it is an amazing feeling to team up with such legends, who have given some of the most memorable songs to the industry,” said Mahadevan, to which, Javed Ali added, “It’s a great honour for me to be a part of this show, because all the artists whom I will be sharing a stage with, have contributed in me reaching where I am today.”
The concert is being organised by Kishore Sharma and Jayanti Gosher of Trust Craft Events and the artists are now looking forward to organising similar events in other parts of the country too. “For the last six months, the organisers have put in all their effort. I appreciate their initiative to get a big team to do such a show. Also, the fact that they are reviving this tradition of live music is commendable,” claimed Pyarelal.
“With Music Heals, we are making an attempt to make it large, and hopefully we can do such a thing all over India. We are four music composers, seven amazing singers, 40 chorus artists and 120 live musicians. That makes for a huge team,” added Mahadevan.
Music buffs are now looking forward to the unique concert that will bring together different musical styles and philosophies. “It will be interesting to see how people from different eras will come together for a single show. Coordinating and being on the same page, yet sticking to your own style will be difficult. I want to see how the musicians overcome that. I’m sure it will be a great show and since it’s for a cause, it makes it all the more special,” says Sejal Shah, a media professional.