Malayalam music director dedicates life for poor

Malayalam music composer Mohan Sithara revealed an unknown facet of his character on Friday night.
He is marking 30 years in the Malayalam film industry but said that from now on he wants to live for the poor and the needy. "This doesn't mean I am going to retire but my main focus will be charity," he said.
This is a stumping statement from a music director but not without a reason.
"I come from a poor family. Due to poverty, I mostly didn't have any breakfast. While going to school, I would survive on mangoes that would lie on the ground. During lunch time, my classmates would open their food packets. The smell of 'sambhar' would be very tempting. I would drink water to satiate my hunger. Then I would cry and pray at a nearby temple for a stomach full," he said at the Indian Social and Cultural Centre in Abu Dhabi. He was the guest of honour for ISC Onam event. "I had just one shirt to wear and a trouser that was torn from the back. So, I understand the pain of the poor."
But how does he plan to sustain for long?
"I have formed a music band in Thrissur. Whatever funds we get from the shows, we contribute to the needy," said the father of two. His son Vishnu has entered the music world.
"There are months when I can't help people for lack of money. So, I pledge my wife's gold ornaments. I am here, too, to make money for them," he said referring to the ISC event.
Isn't he risking his career by turning to full-time charity?
"No, as of now I don't have any other thing in my mind. I am just giving back what I got from my God."
And there lies another tale.
He credits God for turning that crying child outside temple into Mohan Sithara.
"I was once hospitalised for few days. It was a Good Friday and there was a programme on Jesus Christ. I was deeply touched by the pain the Christ went through. And there was another incident when I went to a church and prayed to the Christ. When I reached home and removed my dress, my body was filled with ashes. This changed me completely. Now, I plan to serve them till my death," the 57-year-old added.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com