The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Harmonious notes set to soothe children’s hearts

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 13, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Harmonious notes set to soothe children’s hearts

Special Correspondent

Hridaya Ragam to be revived to raise funds

FOR A CAUSE: Kamal Haasan has volunteered to be the brand ambassador of Hridaya Ragam, a programme to help children with congential heart disease. World Malayalee Council Global Secretary A.V.Anoop (left) and project chairman of Hridaya Ragam V.C.Praveen are in the picture.

CHENNAI: They say music soothes the heart. That is precisely what Hridaya Ragam intends to do — soothe a child’ heart. Actually, several children’s.

For the second time, Madras Medical Mission and the World Malayalee Council have come together to revive Hridaya Ragam, the music show that aims to raise funds for the treatment of children with heart disease from families below poverty line. This time, they have new partners — Malayala Manorama and actor Kamal Haasan — who will add their mite to the venture. This year, Hridaya Ragam will be held in Chennai at the Nehru Indoor Stadium on February 24. Leading playback singers from the south Indian film industry are expected to participate, led by music director Jayachandran.

Last time, in 2006, Hridaya Ragam yielded revenues sufficient to treat 60 children with congenital heart disease. The programme was a grand success, according to R.Suresh Kumar, head, Paediatric Cardiology department, Madras Medical Mission.

“Inspired by the success, we are planning a grander event this year. We are hoping to generate a revenue of at least Rs.1 crore in order to cover surgery for 100 children,” Dr.Suresh Kumar said. With Kamal Haasan pitching in as the brand ambassador, the organisers have great hopes for the project.

Their hopes are not misplaced. End January, at a function, Kamal handed over a cheque for Rs.25,00,000 from Malayala Manorama to Madras Medical Mission, upping the number of beneficiaries to 125. “We have already got good sponsorship from businessmen in Kerala and Tamil Nadu,” Dr.Suresh Kumar said.

V.C.Praveen, project chairman of the programme, said there was huge support from the Malayalam and Tamil film industries. For tickets, call 9841288454/9841138634.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu