Mohan Kumar does not lose out on playing on the flute in spite of a packed schedule. Picture by Bhola Prasad

Paediatrician and a professor and an avid music lover. This describes Mohan Kumar, a professor at MGM Medical College and Hospital, in a nutshell.

A well-known paediatrician in the steel city, the doctor?s busy schedule doesn?t leave him much time for other things.

But music being his second love, tops his pastime list. A Jamshedpur man to the core, he prefers calling himself a Jharkhandi. ?My entire life has been spent in Jamshedpur,? he begins the conversation.

An ex-Loyolean, Kumar completed his medical studies from Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Hospital and completed his MD from Ranchi.

But music is something he says was perhaps in his genes.

So was it hereditary?

?Maybe, my family was always quite fond of music but nobody was into it. I was the first one to fall deeply in love with music,? smiles Kumar.

His musical rendezvous began when he was only six or seven years old.

?I started playing the flute which belonged my servant?s son,? he says.

What Mohan had just dabbled in earlier became a passionate interest as he began learning other music instruments as well.

What about training, any formal one? He laughs: ?Oh no! I never received any formal training it was just out of curiosity and love for music that I kept on learning various instruments.?

And today, he can play the flute, mouth organ and the keyboard with perfection.

Kumar is also a good singer and ghazals are his all-time favourite.

He modestly skirts question about his gifted voice. But, his friends are all praises for the beautiful voice he has.

His wife, Preeti, is a leading gynaecologist and shares the same passion for music.

So was it music that brought them together?

?Yes, you can say so. We were classmates at MGM and have performed at various functions together,? Kumar says.

But this music aficionado?s love for rhythm has not been restricted only to playing or singing.

His proud collection of cassettes and CDs is a delight for any music lover. His well-arranged treasure trove include fusion albums, instrumental music and some timeless collections of Carnatic music.

Carnatic classical and ghazal are both Kumar?s favourite and he is enchanted by Yesudas.

?Apart from Yesudas, it is Jagjit Singh?s ghazals that I just love to listen whenever I get time,? says Kumar. His collection also includes a good collection of instrumental fusion of artistes, who have played Carnatic classical on western instruments. And the doctor has an ear for the new generation of musicians as well.

?That?s something I really like about the new generation of musicians,? says Kumar.

His hectic schedule hardly allows him to play any musical instruments.

?I hardly get time these days but somehow try to mange whenever possible,? he says.

Even without dedicating much time for music, Kumar finds himself in the limelight in any family get-togethers and official functions.

?Yes, I always perform during medical meets organised here,? says Kumar.

His both children too are musically inclined. His daughter is fond of singing and his son is a GenX kid, crazy for remixes.

?He is not much into my kind of music and I do not understand what he listens to. Actually, he is too much into remixes and can do quite a lot of it himself as well on his computer,? Kumar says.

Given a choice, would he like to make his passion his profession?

?Never!? he says emphatically.

?This is purely a hobby, something I love doing. So there is no way I will ever make it a profession,? says Kumar.

Though music has taken a backseat due to his various engagements, his family never suffers due to his packed days.

Every year, he finds time to take them out for a holiday.

?We all simple love travelling. In fact, we go out every year. Last year, we were in Singapore and went on a star cruise which was an awesome experience,? reveals Kumar.

Any plans to learn another instrument?

?Let?s see, why not? But when do I have the time?? says the doctor.

And like they say if music be the love of life, play on.

This is exactly what the busy doctor is doing to the hilt.

Nilanjana Ghosh Choudhury