When music showed the way to defeat cancer

Updated: Sunday, June 7, 2015, 14:31 [IST]

Bengaluru, June 6: The Indian Cancer Society organised a concert called Beat Cancer Musical Night at Chowdaiah Memorial Hall in Malleshwaram on Friday night to remember Venkat Panchapakesan, the 49-year-old engineering chief at Youtube who lost his battle against cancer last month. [Venkat Panchapakesan dies of cancer]

Venkat was remembered at the beginning of the event. His family members and closed friends recalled how lively an individual he was and how he had encouraged others as well. Bharat Vijay, a friend of Venkat and who is associated with the cancer society, said it was real pleasure working with him and he valued friendship a lot.

"He was ready to give up anything for the sake of friendship. Now, if we are able to see videos on Youtube on mobile, it is because of the had work done by Venkat," Bharat Vijay said, adding that Venkat was a huge fan of AR Rahman.

The musical evening saw an enriching journey with a perfect fusion performance by Santoor player Rahul Sharma and percussionist Anandan Sivamani, who is known for playing a number of instruments. Sivamani even has the calibre of creating magical music through fusion of drums and even mineral water container which he showed on Friday.

Satyajit Talwalkar's performance in Tabla was also appreciated by the audience. U Rajesh played mandolin while Bharadwaj R Sathavalli caught all ears with his Morsing Tarang. Gurudhar Udupa's mesmerised the audience with his Ghatam performance. Stephen Devassy's piano performance will be in memory for a long time.

A documentary on the life of Bhashini, a cancer survivor, was also shown on the occasion. The message in the documentary was to boost those fighting with the disease to emerge as winners.