Music as medicine: The Ehsaas Band in Ahmedabad - by Aneri Nihalani

Musicians Viral Patel and Parth Shah of Ehsaas band, pose for a photograph outside the hospital. They'd just arrived at the hospital in their casual clothes and shortly would proceed towards the COVID-19 ward.

A band member wears a PPE kit prior to entering the ward with COVID19 patients.

The musicians climb stairs wearing the PPE kit, and head towards the ward where the COVID-19 patients are admitted.

They will soon begin a live show for patients and hospital staff.

They dispose of the used PPE kits outside the hospital in a space designated by Hospital Management, and shower on reaching home.

After the live show for patients at the Hospital, Raj Shah inhales steam at his home, as instructed by his family. This is to further reduce potential symptoms.

When he plays, Raj Shah, the lead guitarist, wears rubber gloves - despite how this imposes restrictions on hand movements. Holding the plectrum becomes challenging due to perspiration, and he struggles to complete the 'lead' in a specific bar (part of rhythm) time. To hone these skills, Raj wears rubber gloves when he's practicing playing the guitar at home.

The band has a jam session each night at the studio, which is now more like their home.

Here, we see them in their studio. In the foreground are photographs of the band playing music for COVID-19 patients in the hospital ward.

Patients and hospital staff inside the ward express gratitude after the performance. Recovered patients also make video calls to the band, to thank them for the music.

Seen here is a photograph of a cellphone screen, showing a video call with a couple that was admitted to the hospital where the band plays music.

Ehsaas band has been playing live music for COVID-19 positive patients at the hospital for three months now.

After a few shows in the first month, Parth did feel weak and feared he may have been infected. He self-quarantined at the band's studio till test results came negative.

When Parth self-quarantined himself, he communicated with his family from the other side of the glass separator at home. He was worried, but they gave him solace. Parth would rehearse and keep himself creatively engaged.

Later, tests indicated that Parth may have had a viral fever due to seasonal change.

Parth, 28, was given a drum set by his uncle as a toddler and has been formally learning music since he was in second grade. An MBA degree holder, Parth left his job to join Viral and is the rhythmist and lyricist at Ehsaas Band.

Viral Patel, 30, the lead singer, composer, and lyricist of Ehsaas Band poses for a photograph.

An engineer who also holds an MBA, Viral was working in the UK and returned to Ahmedabad in 2016 to pursue music full-time.

Raj, 28, left his full-time job in 2017 to follow his dream to be a musician. He believes that music heals scars of any kind.

Parth and Raj are childhood friends.

Viral Patel, Parth Bhavsar, Raj Shah of Ehsaas band, based in Ahmedabad, India pose for a photograph at their studio.

'Follow your heart' is what the trio believes in, hence they pose this way to perhaps share the same message.

Leaving their full-time jobs to follow their calling to become musicians is what they have done and wish people to live a life of purpose.

Here, they check an article about the band published in a regional newspaper. They value their acknowledgment by the media and hope their music reaches many more people.