San Anselmo pathologist carves music legends in pumpkins

Che Prasad is aware of methods to have a gourd time.

Each October when the pumpkin patches pop up and Halloween decorations emerge in Marin neighborhoods, the San Anselmo resident will get to work carving music-themed pumpkins. For the previous few years, Prasad, a musician and pathologist at MarinHealth Medical Heart, pays homage to his favourite musicians by way of his work, listening to their music all through the method. A few of his earlier carvings embody Prince, David Bowie, Alice Cooper, Jimi Hendrix, ZZ Prime and Ace Frehley from KISS.

Q How did this start?

A I’ve at all times cherished Halloween and I’ve at all times cherished music. My daughter Indigo by no means appeared happy with the standard jack-o-lantern, and she or he would cry. To attempt to impress her, I began getting some easy stencil patterns and she or he nonetheless wasn’t proud of that. Then, I discovered web sites like StoneyKins that had these nice cut-out patterns. Since I appreciated music, I did a few musicians. I’d let her do the stenciling. She’s now 15. It simply progressed over time.

Q Do the abilities out of your job assist you to?

A Sure. Generally mates say, “What did you do to get good at this?” And I’m like, “4 years of medical college, 5 years of residency and 20 years in personal observe in pathology.” Anyone can do these so long as they’ve endurance and a few observe utilizing the blades. I take advantage of commonplace issues in a pumpkin carving package and something you would possibly discover in a pathologist’s workplace.

Q Is it a calming course of?

A From selecting out the sample, the proper pumpkin and prepping the pumpkin, it turns into like a ritual. It’s virtually like a meditation. That is one thing the place I’m utilizing my expertise to do one thing that’s creative. One other a part of the method is to seize its essence in photos, so I do totally different photos in numerous lighting, submit these on-line and other people will touch upon them and ask what I’m doing subsequent, which is sweet.

Q What had been your pumpkins this 12 months?

A Jerry Garcia, Stevie Ray Vaughan and the Beatles’ “White Album.” Jerry Garcia’s connection to Marin County impressed me. My brother died seven years in the past from a mind tumor and his favourite musician was Stevie Ray Vaughan. Carving that pumpkin this 12 months — he handed in October — was particularly significant.

Q What’s the position music has had in your life?

A I began enjoying guitar due to KISS. I performed in bands in highschool and school. I’m a bit shy and it was a pleasant manner for me to satisfy folks. After I received my personal observe job, I had time to do some issues exterior of medication and fashioned a sea shanty band, the Shark Alley Hobos. We do rock ‘n’ roll sea shanties. This month, we did a Who tribute on the Sweetwater, and I did a foam pumpkin of the Who’s emblem. And on the present, as a substitute of smashing my guitar, I smashed our pumpkin. My dad took me to my first KISS live performance and I used to be in a position to see them with Indigo proper earlier than the pandemic. She met Ace Frehley and had him signal an image of her subsequent to the KISS pumpkin. That was like a full circle for me.