As Bengaluru celebrated the New Year with parties and trips, a different, more poignant celebration unfolded at a care home in Kothanur. For its residents, the arrival of 2026 was ushered in not with fireworks, but with the soulful strains of a violin.
A Musical Gift for the Marginalised
On Saturday, more than 500 residents of the New Ark Mission of India (Home of Home) experienced a free concert that transformed their New Year's Eve. The audience, comprising homeless children, senior citizens, and individuals living with disabilities and chronic illnesses, witnessed a special performance by city-based walking violinist Mithun Eshwar and his seven-member team.
At 4 PM, rows of eager faces turned towards a small stage, anticipating a rare treat. Smiles instantly lit up the room as 33-year-old Mithun's bow met the strings, supported by piano and drums. The music evoked waves of nostalgia, joy, and quiet reflection among the listeners.
Crossing Linguistic and Emotional Barriers
Mithun's repertoire beautifully bridged language divides. He engaged the crowd with Kannada instrumentals, Tamil classics, and songs in other languages. The hall filled with the timeless Tamil melody 'Chinna Chinna Aasai', a song about small wishes, which drew thunderous applause. For the children present, the concert itself felt like a cherished wish fulfilled.
The emotional peak of the evening arrived with Mithun's rendition of the Kannada classic 'Bombe Helutaithe', famously picturised on the late actor Puneeth Rajkumar with senior citizens. The song's spirit resonated deeply with the gathering, prompting a spontaneous chorus from the inmates.
Emotions Find Their Own Language
The audience included individuals with intellectual, developmental, and sensory disabilities, and those battling conditions like HIV, cancer, and tuberculosis. Some watched from wheelchairs, while others could not clap or sing. Yet, emotions transcended physical limitations.
A man gently rocked his wheelchair in rhythm to Ilaiyaraaja's melodies. Antony, a resident for 15 years, expressed through an interpreter how the violin renditions of songs from his youth moved him profoundly—so much so that he rose to dance alongside the children.
Caretaker Devi Raja watched with moist eyes. "Many here were rescued from the streets or abandoned by families, especially elderly women with psychological illnesses. Seeing them welcome the New Year with happiness means everything to us," she shared.
The Performer's Lasting Imprint
Mithun Eshwar, who lives near Banaswadi and has worked in the Malayalam and Telugu music industries, leads the Bengaluru-based fusion band Mithun Eshwar Project. For him, this concert left a unique mark.
"Music connects everyone—the young and the old, across languages. They deserve to celebrate the New Year too. I do many professional shows, but this makes me want to come back and play for them again," Mithun said. The event stood as a powerful testament to music's unifying and healing power, offering a dignified and joyful start to the new year for Bengaluru's most vulnerable.
