Sur Saheli was a wonderful evening filled with melodies and dancing was held on Dec 2 at the Lexington Christian Academy. We started the night charmed by Taal Mel, a music band bringing together rhythms (Taal) and harmonies (Mel) from two rich musical cultures: India and the US. We were then mesmerized by Pallavi Nagesha, renowned Bharatnatyam dancer and teacher in the Greater Boston Area.

Taal Mel loves experimenting with Indian and Western classical and pop styles, ranging from Carnatic and Indian film music to blues and rock. They performed many mashups of well-known Tamil, Hindi, and English songs, from “Jiya re” and a version of Brovabarama, a famous Carnatic music composition by composer Thyagaraja to Hamma Hamma and Skyfall. In a salute to survivors, Taal Mel ended with a beautiful rendition of the Hindi song “Jugni” in fusion with the English pop song “I will survive”.

Pallavi explored the timeless theme of “Nayika.” A heroine of exceptional beauty and character, as she experiences various shades of emotions. In alignment with Saheli’s mission, this performance empowers and celebrates women. Nayika's character reflects the strength, resilience, and emotional depth that women embody in their lives.

As the performances came to a close, the energy remained vibrant. Our diverse communities came together with a love of art and a shared vision of a world free of domestic violence. Priya Murali, the executive director of Saheli, said, “I was delighted to see Sur Saheli bringing together the community in support of Saheli’s work for a memorable and entertaining afternoon.” The audience was not just entertained, but they were educated and impassioned to bring about awareness of the challenges faced by survivors and the resources available to assist them. "Sur Saheli was a beautiful musical afternoon in support of an important cause", said Anil Saigal.

The success of Sur Saheli was a testament to the generosity of our performers and audience. We thank the performers, the guests who attended, Saheli board members, and the Indian Association of Greater Boston for putting on the event. We hope that the momentum created by Sur Saheli continues to reverberate, inspiring ongoing conversations, advocacy, and support for survivors.