A concert for Bhopal, Aishu Venkataraman, May 7, 2011

[premnandhini]

Divine Strings: A Benefit Concert for Bhopal by Aishu Venkataraman

When: May 7, 2011

Where: Tufts University, Cohen Auditorium, MA, USA

What: South Indian Classical violin and Jazz by Aishu, the youngest to graduate from Berklee College of Music with full scholarship (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hp6kDSmyaZ8

Why: "Bhopal Disaster" did not happen, it is "Happening". The uncleared toxic factory dump site remains polluting ground water resulting in horrific birth defects and severe illness to the population living around the site.

More information: http://boston4bhopal.org/httpdocs/ & http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=211800025512650

P.S: Apologies for this event announcement here, but I did try the calendar and the link is broken, hence the need to post it here. Thanks for reading.

[arasi]

Premnnandhini,
Yes, there are umpteen threads and it's impossible to keep track of all of them. However, may I suggest that you edit the title of the thread to include the name of Aishu and also the venue? This way, there is a chance of several more forumites seeing this--a few even coming to the concert, perhaps. After all, it's for a good cause and Aishu's playing is worth listening to.

[Nick H]

"Bhopal Disaster" did not happen, it is "Happening".

Well put. Memorable, and apt, words indeed.

[premnandhini]

Dear Rasikas,

It is heartening to get positive feedback for this post. It means a lot for student groups like us. This concert effort is put together by groups from Boston University, Harvard, MIT and Tufts. I am glad Rasikas have a heart for both the Concert & the Cause

The quote "Bhopal Disaster...is Happening" is originally from the L.A. based director Max Carlson's recent award winning documentary "Bhopali". Max came down to MIT for a screening of this movie and has been very supportive of our student group. You can view a short video he made featuring the well known environmental activist Anne Leonard on Bhopal here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19Q4iBXgwpU

Thanks All for your Support. I hope to see several Rasikas at the event.

Sincerely,

PremNandhini

[appu]

Ms premnandhini,

Thank you so much for that provoking documentary on Bhopal. I don't know what to say, except my heart goes out to fellow Bhopalis who have endured this unfortunate fate and tragedy.

I am so proud that you students and Aishu have banded together to support this cause. Please post a link where we can make a charitable donation to this cause.

Also please update all of us on how the fund raiser turned out.

Regards and thanks

[anupama_r]

It should be renamed the Union Carbide Gas Tragedy (those responsible for it), and not Bhopal Gas Tragedy, as if the city itself has something to do with the tragedy!

[mahavishnu]

Agreed, anupama_R. The fat cats at Union Carbide have gotten away with genocide.
I sincerely appreciate the work put in by the organizers and Aishwarya Venkatraman for this event. My best wishes to them.

[santy_010]

In our wee bit effort towards this cause, the event has been shared with our readers at http://goingson.kalaparva.com
We wish the concert a huge success.

Regards
Event Coordinator
The Kalaparva

[premnandhini]

Zillion Thanks to the Awesome support by the Rasikas. Sorry, this is coming late (finals week, project/paper deadlines etc. we all got stuck-please forgive us).

An important update to the venue: Concert will be in Fenway Center, Northeastern University, 77, St.Stephen Street, Boston, MA-02115

More info:http://boston4bhopal.org/divinestrings

Poster: https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0BzwO4g ... NDY4&hl=en (if you are unable to see this beautiful poster, please try downloading to view]

We honor the women of Bhopal with this concert for Mother's day weekend: https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid= ... ZDMw&hl=en

Have to run to catch a flight for a conference, Much Obliged for all your support,

Nandhini

[appu]

Premnandhini,

How did the concert go. Do you have an update for us rasikas. A review perhaps on the evenings proceedings would be much appreciated.

Thanks

[premnandhini]

Yes, Of Course!!!

On a real quick note, the concert was superb (Aishu was simply fabulous) and a great success in terms of being a fundraiser for Bhopal.

I am 'musically-challenged" so I am trying to get the review in good shape, so that Rasikas can "hear it"

I am also trying to collate pictures, press release & hopefully a video link. Will get this all out soon, please bear with me.

Sincerely,

PremNandhini

[premnandhini]

Dear Sisters & Brothers & Earth Citizens,

Finally I have the review for the "Divine Strings: A Benefit Concert for Bhopal" by Aishwarya (Aishu) Venkataraman. Please note however that respecting the tradition of this forum, I have started a new thread titled "Aishu Venkataraman, Boston (Concert for Bhopal), May 7, 2011" to purely discuss the nuances of the carnatic music for the Rasikas. Upfront apologies, if this redundancy is a mistake.

Artist Name: Aishwarya Venkataraman (violin)
Accompanist Name: Prof. Vinod Venkataraman (mirudangam)
Jazz accompanists: Professors Marc Rossi (piano), Bob Tamagni (drums), Bill Urmson (bass)
Venue: Fenway Center, Northeastern University, Boston
Date and Time: May 7, 2011; 6:00 p.m
Total duration of the concert: 3 hours

Carnatic piece
Varnam Ragam: Kambhoji | Thalam: Ata
Vathapi Ganapathim Bhajeham Ragam: Hamsadwani | Thalam Adi
Ragam, Tanam, Pallavi: Ragam: Bhairavi | Thalam Adi

Intermission

Jazz Piece
Watermelon Man
Freedom Jazz Dance
Ascending Dreams
Bittersweet Five

Alisha (Tufts undergraduate volunteer) gave a warm welcome to an audience of over 200 people and introduced the artistes Aishu Venkataraman and Prof.Vinod Venkataraman, who elegantly dressed in the traditional South Indian attire took the stage to transform the audience to a different world, a world unseen by many. A more comprehensive review of the beautiful rendition of the carnatic music can be read in the parallel post http://www.rasikas.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=16514

To watch a brilliant Bhairavi Tanam click the url http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMmzvoQcxJ4

After this spectacular Carnatic music, Leonid (a recent graduate of MIT) introduced the audience to the Bhopal cause and a short video of Sambhavna Clinic’s work in Bhopal was shown.

To learn about Sambhavna please watch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CexBTtg6Fjk

Following an intermission for 15 minutes, Aishu metamorphosed (both in her attire and attitude) to thrill the audience with her electric jazz performance along with Berklee College of Music professors Marc Rossi (piano), Bob Tamagni (drums), Bill Urmson (bass) and Vinod Venkataraman (who still traditionally dressed was now playing the Bongo drums!). Prof. Venkataraman gave brief overview to the Math behind the music and kept the audience thoroughly engaged from start to finish.

Few pictures of the concert can be viewed here: https://picasaweb.google.com/premnandhi ... _eWlaSeNw#

The chemistry between the whole jazz group was admirable, they complemented each other so well. While the jazz was much shorter than the Carnatic music, it had upbeat rhythms that made the audience clap, tap, join in and rejoice. The concert ended with all the musicians elegantly playing ‘Raghupathi Raghava Rajaram’ to honor Mahatma Gandhiji.

Aishu’s passion for the violin, clearly did transcend boundaries to bring the west and east together, all for Bhopal and guess what, on the day she walked her graduation. Yes, Aishu now officially got the Berklee College of Music degree in her hand. While many of the newly graduates were celebrating their graduation evening in a bar, Aishu chose to celebrate it with the Bhopalis. Congratulations Aishu, We are so proud of you.

Through this concert many people learnt about the ongoing disaster of Bhopal and few were willing to volunteer at the Sambhavna clinic and also participate with the campaign activities.

A press release can be read here: http://www.lokvani.com/lokvani/article. ... le_id=7290 also, I had not answered an earlier query in this forum on "how to donate for Bhopal".
On-line donations can be done at: https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/1 ... e_KEY=6573

While we appreciate donations, we also greatly appreciate a proactive participation from the community to make sure that there are “No More Bhopals” anywhere in the world. We strive for this by being mindful of the choices we make as individuals being it buying food (buying from local farmers, not using bottled water etc.) or in the carbon footprints we leave behind (biking, using public transport etc.). Please join our efforts http://www.studentsforbhopal.org/

I thoroughly enjoyed the interactions, enthusiasm, support and blessings received from the Rasikas. As one of the organizing volunteer I also got to know more about the Venkataramans and their benevolence, it was a pleasure to meet and greet this wonderful family. We had several hiccups while organizing this event, including a venue change, along those stumbling blocks we got to know of amazing individuals who were so willing to help us make this concert happen, to all of them and you Rasikas “GOD Bless” [for atheists in the group, please read GOD as Genome Organizing Device, as author Matt Ridley would put].

Peace,

PremNandhini