Music gave Big B 'hope' during tough times..

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who has gone through several surgeries at various stages in his life, says music protected him and gave him "hope and encouragement" during the days he spent in hospital.

The 73-year-old, currently hosting "Aaj Ki Raat Hai Zindagi", can be seen singing in the Star Plus show.

"Each episode of AKRHZ ('Aaj Ki Raat Hai Zindagi') shall open with a number of mine sung and at times composed by me, to bring in the atmosphere of what we wish for another...for I believe music is a tremendous healer, not just of the soul but indeed of the body too," Amitabh posted on his blog.

While remembering the days that he spent in hospital, the "Piku" actor wrote: "Of the many days and nights that I have spent in ICU's and hospital beds, this element (music) has always protected me and given me hope and encouragement.

"I went through two local surgeries on the abdomen, listening to music in my ears with my head phones on and humming away to drown the sound of the technical procedures that were being conducted below."

Amitabh suffered a near fatal accident while shooting an action scene for Manmohan Desai's 'Coolie' in Bengaluru in 1982. It took him several months to fully recover. He has also gone through various surgeries after that.