For those lamenting the decline of cerebral matter on the idiot box, here’s a window to peep into beautiful minds. Come December 10, the National Geographic channel will be beaming into your homes the incredible powers of the human brain and deconstructing these for your convenience too.The programme, My Brilliant Brain, which according to the channel promises to make viewers rethink the abilities of the brain through probing analysis of three groups of geniuses, one from India features a Mumbai youth too. The series, with a rich mix of special effects photography, animations and neurological experiments, aims to examine human intelligence and ferret out the roots of genius. Among the group of four from India is Raghav Sachar, Mumbai-based instrumentalist, vocalist and music director. A specialist in wind instruments and popular for his music in the film Kabul Express, Sachar was contacted by the channel two months ago. An extensive shoot which covered his parents, relatives in Delhi, then his studio in Mumbai followed soon.A self-taught instrumentalist, who can now play 30 instruments, Raghav’s brush with music began at the age of four when he watched his father play the harmonica. “I took to the instrument immediately. I struck a deal with my father. I wanted a new musical instrument as my birthday gift every year,” says Raghav. Understandably, RK Sachar, his father, a senior police officer, remains his inspiration. “There wasn’t any musical background in the family,” said Raghav.Like all parents, Raghav’s mother Usha was worried about his education. After Standard XII, his parents wanted him to pursue majors in English Literature but he insisted on pursuing graduation in music in Australia.“I picked many instruments while in Australia and it was a great learning experience,” says Raghav. Kenny G and RD Burman as other sources of inspiration, he wants to make a mark in the international arena too.Remembering the days, when her young boy would be carrying mouth organ in one hand, a flute in the other and drums tied to his waist, Usha says: “I would be worried about his health.” The others to be featured in India series, being presented by actress Konkana Sen Sharma, are Siddharth Nagrajan and Nischal Narayanan from Hyderabad and Tataghat Avatar Tulsi from Bangalore.“My Brilliant Brain is a very special initiative as it strongly communicates our philosophy of ‘Think Again’. It is a celebration of the incredible powers of the human mind and we have extended it beyond the on-air showcase, which includes innovative on-line and on-ground activation to provide a wholesome experience to our viewers,” Nikhil Mirchandani, Managing Director, National Geographic Channel, South Asia says.
