"Inspirations and Legacies: A Melodic Journey supporting A Future for Every Child"

"Surmayee Shaam | Inspirations and Legacies," a heartwarming benefit concert directed by Sudha Subbaraman (Sudha Kumar) in support of  A Future for Every Child (AFEC) on Sep 24, 2023 was an extraordinary evening to be cherished!  All proceeds will benefit orphaned and vulnerable youth in India.

Imagine being forced into homelessness on your 18th birthday with no money or support. Unfortunately, every year over 50,000 youth aging out of Care Homes in India face this dire future. AFEC helps youth aging out of institutional care get the training and mentoring necessary to become self-sufficient and live a productive life. Since 2019, AFEC has enrolled more than 1000 youth in their program, with less than a 5% dropout rate and 360+ in steady employment after completing training in diverse fields such as IT, nursing, automotive repair, and hospitality.

Inspired by AFEC’s mission, Sudha, a renowned Boston-area singer, songwriter, and composer, decided to use her talents to make a difference. Sudha Subbaraman (Sudha Kumar), the creative force behind the music, enthralled the audience with her soulful vocals, joined by the immensely talented vocalist,  Karthik Jayaram and the phenomenal Boston Alaap band, along with seasoned musicians, Yogesh Karale and Hirak Modi.

The afternoon began with a Raag Jansammohini-based Guru Vandana composed and sung by Sudha, followed by a lamp lighting ceremony by her Guru, Smt. Swati Panda. The young emcees then introduced us to the musical segments, which commenced with the timeless LataJi-SalilDa classic, "O Sajna," beautifully rendered by Sudha. Karthik followed with his soulful, jazzy rendition of the Manna Dey classic, "Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli."

Sudha's vocal prowess was displayed in a wide range of genres and languages.  'Aaha Rimjhim Ke' showcased her adeptness at high-pitched western-style scatting, and her soulful style showed in "Benaam si Khwahishein" while harmonies in songs like "Jeevamshamayi" displayed another dimension of her skill.  Karthik demonstrated his vocal agility and finesse in soulful numbers like "Tu Jo Mila" and "Unnai Kaanadha." Semi-classical masterpieces like 'Re Man Sur Mein Ga' and 'Mohe Panghat Pe' revealed their classical command with intricate raag-based alaaps and taans.

The live improvisation was equally impressive, where the accompanying musicians took turns, demonstrating their exceptional connection with the music. Each musician showcased their virtuosity - Sachit Kurup, a high schooler, dazzled with his flute intros and riffs, Vinphin Kundukulam provided impeccable percussion and flawless cue timing, Bagwat Krishnan skillfully handled the keys with brilliant chords and tunes, Manish Kurup adeptly handled the solos and chords on the guitar, and Hirak Modi skillfully played the harmonium shadowing alaaps and sangathis. Yogesh Karale's tabla sangath added a rhythmic flourish that truly elevated every song. 

Gita Gopal, AFEC’s founder spoke about the organization’s mission and impact. She discussed AFEC’s Launchpad For Adulthood which is a holistic program for sustainable change.

Sudha's rendition of her Guru Arati Ankalikar's original composition 'Kanha', presented live with mesmerizing flute accompaniment by Sachit and a unique orchestration, was one of the highlights. The Raag Gara to Jaijaiwanti raag-based medley in 'Mohe Panghat' and 'Unnai Kaanadha' revealed vocal artistry between Sudha and Karthik and a masterful interplay of arrangements, seamlessly transitioning between keys, tempos, and taals.   A toe-tapping oldies medley, performed adroitly on the accordion by guest artist, Mr. Verghese brought the audience to their feet, clapping and singing along in pure joy. 

The youth Emcees - Vanshika Kumar, Preanshi Charnalia, Prasiddh Pandya, and Siddharth Vikram - all trained by Paresh Motiwala and scripted by Sudha, anchored the program with poise, wit, and articulate expressions, adding a dynamic charisma to the musical evening. 

In closing, 'Surmayee Shaam' testified to the power of bringing the community together through music, all while raising awareness for a beautiful cause championed by AFEC. Sudha Subbaraman and Karthik Jayaram's exceptional talent guided us through a musical journey that left us yearning for more. Their seamless fusion of classical finesse with contemporary flair was a testament to their remarkable versatility.

The stellar contributions by every volunteer working with AFEC behind the scenes, in addition to Sudha's hard work in weaving together a tapestry of timeless music, made the afternoon memorable. Our heartfelt thanks go out to each artist, volunteer, and supporter who made this evening possible. Your presence and enthusiasm have truly made 'Surmayee Shaam' an unforgettable experience.

Concert details:
Organized by Sudha Subbaraman and AFEC Geeta Athalye

Singers: 

Sudha Subbaraman - Direction, Female Vocals, Alaaps, Harmonies, Chorus
Karthik Jayaram - Male Vocals, Alaaps, Harmonies, Chorus

Musicians: 

Yogesh Karale (Tabla)
Hirak Modi (Harmonium)
Vinphin Kundukulam (Percussions and Octapads)
Bagwat Krishnan (Keys)
Manish Kurup (Guitars)
Sachit Kurup (Flute)

Emcees: Kids trained by Paresh Motiwala (Circles of Growth)
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Vanshika Kumar, Preanshi Charnalia, Prasiddh Pandya and Siddharth Vikram

Sound: Daniel Fox, Wondersmith Audio

Photobooth décor, Promos, Volunteering: Suchi Amritkumar, Jayshree Iyer, Manisha Jain, Madhavi Phadke, Shobana Sampath, Kumar Vishwanathan
Photography: Prerana Thakurdesai

Videography: Ravi Subramanian

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