'Geethanjali' – A Touching Tribute Concert Raises Funds for Cancer Institute of India, Adyar

Cancer India Foundation’s  (non-profit organization) Boston area chapter held its fourth annual fundraiser on Saturday, June 16 featuring a musical tribute concert in memory of the eminent Carnatic vocalist and teacher, the late Smt. Geetha Murali.  Smt. Geetha Murali, who lost her life to cancer while in her mid-40s, was a brilliant artist who touched everyone she met with her warmth and simplicity. Her towering personal traits were passion for music, authenticity, patience, commitment and generosity of spirit. An ardent Sai devotee, she was a rare combination of a soulful performer and dedicated teacher. She sang for dozens of Bharatanatyam dance concerts in addition to giving several solo vocal performances. 

Fifteen accomplished area musicians and 85 students from the Boston area came together to participate in the Cancer fundraiser event that attracted 450+ attendees. It was wonderful to see the young and old come together to share and connect with each other through the medium of music and to reminisce about their association with Smt. Geetha Murali at the event. Smt. Ranjani Saigal, Director of Eastern Rhythms School of Dance energized the audience with her spontaneity and her wit throughout the three hour concert.

Students and teachers gave fifteen minute long presentations featuring classical and devotional music in the Carnatic and Hindustani formats. The Sri Sathya Sai group began the musical fare with a bhajan followed by student recitals from Rasika Mohan’s (Geetha’s daughter) SaiKripa school of music, Smt. Aparna Balaji (Vocal music), Smt. Prashanti Punnamraju (Vocal) Dr. Pravin Sitaram (Mridangam), Smt. Durga Krishnan (Veena), Smt. Valli Amaravadi (Vocal), Sri. Mali Santhanakrishnan(Mridangam) and this reporter’s vocal students from RASA and Learnquest Academy.  To see young and talented children in their teens sing and play instruments like the Veena and Mridangam with confidence spoke volumes about the vibrant musical culture in the Boston area. Geetha Murali was one among the many dedicated teachers who have nurtured the talent of many such youngsters with devotion and grace. It is heartening that the rich musical traditions of India are being kept alive thanks to the efforts of generous teachers and music loving families who nurture their children’s talents.

Towards the end of the Geethanjali program, there was a marvelous presentation of a Ragamalika composition in the Tamil language, “Kurai Ondrum Illai” by Boston area vocal music teachers. Evocative speeches by Dr.Venu Bathini (UMASS Medical School) and Shri. Murali Iyer (Geetha’s husband) brought tears to many eyes and a grand finale by Geetha’s daughter, the gifted violinist and vocalist, Smt. Rasika Mohan Murali, a student of Geetha , Smt. Tara Anand and Palghat Dr. R. Ramprasad. Thanks to the untiring work of Smt. Sreeranjani  Rajagopalan, CIF volunteer crew and the Geethanjali program coordinator, the respected vocalist Smt. Aparna Balaji, this fundraiser program was a resounding success in terms of flawless planning, execution, the platform it provided for local talent and the immense joy it brought to music lovers. Benefits from the proceedings will benefit the underprivileged afflicted by cancer via the non-profit organization, Cancer Institute based in Adyar, Chennai.