Cancer took his speech but he sings professionally!

Ahmedabad: Bhavesh Udewal, 48, is a professional singer who is hired to make people dance to his tunes, especially garba songs. His energetic performance, belting out one song after another, betrays the fact that Udewal underwent extensive treatment for mouth cancer, which left him with compromised speech. He may not be able to speak perfectly, but his singing is almost impeccable despite the cancer."Because of mouth fibrosis post-cancer treatment, I cannot completely open my mouth, resulting in a lisp when I speak. But when I sing with the help of the mixer, nobody can guess that I surmounted cancer. I am using technology to overcome my condition and would support any cancer survivor," adds Udewal, a musician and stage performer by profession.
Udewal recalls that 4 years back, he was diagnosed with a mouth ulcer, which he did not pay much attention to, as he chewed pan masala and got mouth sores on and off. "A year later, I visited the US when I suffered searing pain. Doctors diagnosed it as cancer."He underwent surgery in August 2022. While his recovery was satisfactory, his speech was affected. "My voice is my bread and butter, and I was worried," confesses Udewal, who started experimenting with sound mixers and software.As Wednesday marks World Cancer Day, the theme of the year, ‘United by Unique', is marked by cancer warriors who not only surmounted the condition but also emerged stronger. With Gujarat having a high burden of head and neck cancers due to tobacco consumption, city-based experts say many patients find it difficult to speak clearly after removal of part of the jaw or palate to remove the tumour.But many choose to fight and surmount the restrictions. Another case in point is Devang Shah, 62, an official with a cable manufacturing and marketing firm in Ahmedabad. He developed mouth cancer primarily due to decades of tobacco consumption. "A section of teeth, along with part of the jawbone, was removed to cure the tumour. I am still undergoing regular treatment for my remaining teeth that decay easily. I also have fibrosis, meaning I cannot open my mouth enough," says Shah.Devang Shah cancer, diagnosed in 2017, took away his hobby of singing. "During the Covid pandemic, I decided to rediscover my voice. I started making short videos after getting a small console to support my hobby. I realised old songs sung by Bollywood singer Mukhesh gave me solace. I started singing his songs in select gatherings of film song clubs in Ahmedabad and other events," says Shah, who sings as a hobby and also runs a YouTube channel.Dr Kaustubh Patel, a city-based head and neck cancer surgeon and founder of Ahmedabad Cancer Foundation, said that complications after surgeries often deter patients. "On February 1, we organised Golden Voice in association with Ahmedabad Medical Association (AMA), where 8 head and neck cancer winners sang songs and made speeches. The purpose was to underline the inherent indomitable human spirit that helps the winners surmount any challenges," he said.