Cancer Institute (WIA) Foundation is a US based organization (volunteer groups) dedicated to raise funds and support the Cancer Institute (WIA), Adyar, India in all aspects of Cancer treatment. The Boston chapter was founded last year and is run by a dedicated group of volunteers who feel proud working for such a noble cause. CIF held its first ever Fundraiser – SAMHITA – A classical music and dance concert at Keefe Tech Auditorium, Framingham on Feb. 23, 2013. Every dollar collected through this event, through donation and tickets will go towards free cancer treatment for the poor and underprivileged back in India.

The event had the most prominent artistes from the New England area Durga Krishnan, Aparna Balaji and Ranjani Saigal getting together to produce one of their best performances to raise funds to support treatment for cancer. They along with Mahalingam Santhanakrishnan, Krishnan Parameswaran and Geetha Murali presented the audiences with an evening of exotic music and dance that had elements from the Hindu mythology about disease, cure and immortality.

The event started with a video that talked about the inception and history of Cancer Institute (WIA), Adyar, India. It was followed by an address by the Guest of Honor Dr. Vijaya Ramesh, proud alumni of Cancer Institute, Adyar and also the head of a research laboratory within the Department of Neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School. After the customary introductions, Durga Krishnan and her students (Neela Kaushik, Suhasini Aravinthan, Namrita Murali, Rupa Ravi) took the stage along with Mahalingam Santhanakrishnan for their “Pancha Veenas” performance. Against the beautiful backdrop, it looked like as though Goddess Saraswathi herself came down from the heavens with her troupe to gift us all with her most melodious music. The CIF team played few videos during the break that followed to make the audience aware about the work of Cancer Institute, Adyar and how their contribution will make a difference in the lives of young children and people who cannot afford treatment.

“Roga Harana” a garland of compositions exclusively put together by Aparna Balaji, was performed beautifully by her students along with Krishnan Parameswaran (violin) and Mahalingam Santhanakrishnan (Mridhangam). It was amazing to see how well the group of students (Neela Kaushik, Pavitra Chari, Sachitha Ganesa, Ashwini Venkatramani, Raghu Madyastha, Deepa Subramanian) performed together with Aparna, their Guru. Adi Shankara’s Vaidhyanathashtakam resonated with the theme of the fundraiser, for it is said that the recital of this divine ashtakam cures the devotees of all diseases. The centerpiece “Roga Harana” seeks the blessings of Raghavendra to take away all the diseases from the Universe.

Dr.Manju Sheth, President of IMANE (Indian Medical Association of New England) and a Board certified Internist from Beverly Hospitals, gave a speech on cancer awareness and treatment that was well received by the audience.

The grand finale to the event was the exemplary dance performance “Shambo Mahadeva” choreographed by Ranjani Saigal and performed gorgeously by her students – Jenny Maththew, Sanjana Puri, Neeraja Deshpande, Ashya Singh, Manasi Danke, Shalini Sakhamuri, Susruthi Rajanala. The crown jewel of the dance performance was “Markandeya” a breathtaking dance drama enacting the story of Markandeya, a devotee of Shiva who attained immortality with the Lord’s grace. Amudha Pazhanisamy danced gracefully to Ranjani Saigal’s inspiring nattuvangam. Geetha Murali’s enchanting voice added splendor and took it many notches above. Along with Mahalingam Santhanakrishnan’s Mridhangam and Kavitha Pazhanisamy’s Veena, “Markandeya” was a treat to watch and will be remembered for a long time by the audience.

The event concluded with Vote of thanks and an award function for the performers. Right from the exquisite stage decoration, flawless sound engineering, elegant photography, backstage arrangements, front desk setup and vendor booths, the event was extremely well organized and executed perfectly by the Cancer Institute Foundation. The volunteers from the Boston chapter of Cancer Institute Foundation should feel proud for having organized such a splendidly successful event for a first-ever fundraiser.


Photo Credits: Mr. Rahul Rathi
www.photonarrations.com
www.holyganges.blogspot.com

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