Music can cure diseases - Sirkazhi Sivachidambaram

When we asked Mr. Sivachidambaram how he was able to manage his two faces – doctor and musician, he replied …

A: It is only in our hands. I am an urologist in the Government Hospital, Chennai. I will be a doctor in the morning, a musician in the evening! I agree to work for television serials and dubbing only after I finish my duties as a doctor. I’ve donned the role of sage Agathya in two films – Meenakshi thiruvilaiyaadal and Pannari Amman. They have identified me with Agathya! I get a role without fail in Arun Veerappan productions on television. I’ve acted in serials including En iniya iyandra, Oli mayamaana ethirkaalam, Kandapuranam and Sivapuranam. I am offered characters requiring dialogue in grammatical Tamil. I did the role Sekkizhar in Sivapuransm serial. I am the chairman of committee of trustees of the Vadapazhaniyandavar temple. My father used to sing during his darshans in various temples. He would ask me also to sing. The devotees would listen, forgetting themselves. Today, I am following his practice!

Q: Nowadays, they say that diseases can be cured by music. Is this possible?

A: I did my research study on this topic during my medical course. And, I am continuing this research even today whenever I get the opportunity. Along with medication, if the patient listens to the music in the prescribed ragas, then, surely, the disease will be cured. It is not only Carnatic music, even the ‘kuthu paattu’ in the present-day films can be played to cure people affected by paralytic attack. Even retarded children will benefit from ‘kuthu paattu’, it is my opinion.

Q: What is your advice to the present generation for a good family life?

A: Freedom of expression should be there in every family. A family is like a democratic country where freedom of expression is the right of every citizen. Difference of opinions might arise, but these differences should not lead to separation. Even in a university, differences arise. But, a wise decision is taken after discussion among the syndicate, senate, vice chancellor and the various committees. This approach should be followed in the family too.

My father used to insist that behavior is even more important than music. He would insist that we should always be careful not to hurt the feelings of others even when expressing our views. If we show affection and do not mind minor differences, every family will be a university.

Any song that contains useful views … any song that reflects the voice of conscience … people were satisfied only when they hear it in the voice of Sirkazhi Govindarajan …! The views of Sivachidambaram make us give them a serious thinking … we were happy to see Govindarajan in the voice of his son Sivachidambaram, who follows the path of his father to the letter…