Maanavseva(.org), a non-profit organization that facilitates detection and treatment of cancer in rural and poor women in India held a fundraiser concert featuring Ananda Shankar Jayant on Saturday, February 20, 2016. 

The organization started by Sastry Dwivedula raised an amount of $12,035  that was matched by Sastry and raised the total to $24,070. They were able to raise $4,500 from the sponsors to defray the event expenses and $405 from Silent auction. This fund raising and the amount raised immensely will be used to help village women and the mobile mammogram project.

After the initial introductions, Dr. Ammani Dasari gave a details on cervical cancer and how important it is to catch it early. 

The highlight of the evening was the fabulous recital of Dr. Ananda Shankar Jayant.  Her work on Thiagaraja Ramayanam was a great favorite of mine for a very long time. She is a great dancer whose ability to emote is very high.  

Ananda Shankar Jayant is herself a cancer survivor. In her Ted talk she blends her real feelings as she went through treatment for cancer with her capacity to express both in words and facial expressions in a manner that deeply touches the heart. 

In Thiagaraja Ramayana she creatively wove the beautiful songs by the master to tell the entire tale of the Ramayana.  She interspersed it with verses from Valmiki Ramayana. Ananda is a joyful dancer. Thiagaraja was a soulful poet. When the joyful nature of Ananda mixed in with soulful music, there was sheer magic on stage. Needless to say the  audience was delighted. 

It is hoped that with the funds raised much good will happen in the world at large.