NAGARAJ RAO HAVALDAR, HINDUSTANI CLASSICAL MUSICIAN: Music is like non-invasive enjoyment and has become a companion for many doctors, who are usually stressed out.
Bengaluru hosts classical music concerts almost everyday. But this one on Sunday (March 25) is different. At a unique Hindustani music concert at Vatsalya Dental Care Innovation Centre in Hulimavu on Bannerghatta Road, a group of professional doctors will come together to perform for around two hours. The concert will commence at 6 pm and the entry is free.
These performers, who are all successful in their chosen professions, have pursued their passion for music over the years. Though, as practising doctors, they are hard pressed for time, they have pursued classical music because of love for the art. Today, they are professional musicians too. The doctors are students of Sunaada Art Foundation established by well-known Hindustani musician Nagaraj Rao Havaldar.
The artistes who will perform are Dr Harsha Rao, an ophthalmologist with Narayana Nethralaya; Dr M R Krishnamurti, a general physician; Dr Radha Bhat, a psychiatrist from London and Divya Shenoy, a bio-medical engineer, besides their mentor Nagaraj Havaldar, who holds a doctorate in music.
Havaldar says for his doctor-musician students, both profession and passion are equally important. They have made time to learn pure classical music. They live with it, relax with it and enjoy it, he said proudly. “I have no less than 10 medical doctors as my students. They are all highly successful in their professions. While Dr Harsha, a glaucoma expert, is a vocalist, Dr Krishnamurti is a solo harmonium player. Vocalist Dr Radha Bhat is associated with the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in London. Dr Krishnamurti is a very busy doctor who gave up his evening practice to devote time for music. Divya gave up her job in the US to be here to learn vocal,” Havaldar said.
The concert will commence with an invocation by Dr Vandana and Dr Tulsi who are associated with Sri Shankara Cancer Hospital. Asked whether the trend to learn music is growing among medical doctors, Havaldar said music serves as a stress buster for some, while some are born with the ability. Music is like non-invasive enjoyment and has become a companion for many doctors, who are usually stressed out. They attend his classes regularly.
“When they are learning music at an advanced level, there is no need to attend classes frequently. I request them to digitally record the class proceedings so that they can relive music whenever they want. Music is much more complicated and beautiful than human anatomy. And, the doctors have realised that,” Havaldar said.