Tag Archives: SEF

San Jose Shows Up for Shreya Ghoshal

It was another crowd-pleasing musical extravaganza by Sankara Eye Foundation (SEF). Singing queen Shreya Ghoshal performed at the San Jose State University Event Center on Friday, August 23. All of this was for a magical cause of brightening the world. 

Shreya Ghoshal has reigned supreme in Bollywood for many years. As the audience experienced throughout the concert, Shreya is best known for her angelic vocal cords. Her sweet and melodious voice captured the ears from afar. 

Winning ZeeTv’s music contest “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa” gave Shreya the kick start she needed to launch her singing career in Bollywood. Shreya’s first Bollywood break came with the song Bairi Piya from Devdas, which won her the National Film and the Filmfare Award for Best Playback Singer (Female). 

Photo credit: Siva Dhanasekaran for SEF

The concert was stunning – Shreya Ghoshal and her orchestra brought the house down with her songs. She sang Bairi Piya, her debut Bollywood song from Devdas, and some of her latest songs, including Slow Motion from the movie Bharat. The concert started on time at 7:30 PM – all Sankara concerts start on time.  Shreya kept the audience enthralled and totally mesmerized until 11:05 PM – when her last song Ami Je Tomar from Bhool Bhulaiya ended – with the audience wanting a lot more. Shreya also took the audience in a nostalgic journey with songs from yesteryears. She performed a medley of old songs from great singers, including Rafi, Kishore, Lata and Asha, ending with Dum Maro Dum with the audience singing along.  

Shreya also acknowledged and appreciated the great work done by SEF over the years and the dedication of its volunteers. SEF donors and audience members appreciated how well the concert was organized and managed. Established in the Bay Area, SEF is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that has been working for the past 21 years for the cause of eradicating curable blindness in India.

Cover photo credit: Siva Dhanasekaran for SEF

Sankara Eye Foundation presents “Klose To My Life”

A  fundraiser concert to eradicate curable blindness in India

Sankara Eye Foundation is bringing the Magnificent Musical Extravaganza of the year.  Legendary singers Sonu Nigam & Neha Kakkar with Live Symphony Orchestra of 45 Musicians at the beautiful Oracle Arena on June 15th. All this is for a magical cause of brightening this world. Your entertainment will help someone’s dreams come true as they get their eyesight restored.

Sonu Nigam & Neha Kakkar Concert

June 15, 2019 

7:30 pm

Oracle Arena, Oakland

Tickets starting at $39

Tickets available at www.giftofvision.org/events

For more information, visit www.giftofvision.org or call 1 (866) Sankara.

Established in the Bay Area, SEF is a non-profit organization that has been working for the past twenty years for the cause of eradicating curable blindness in India. Driven by the truly inspirational cause, SEF has currently established 9 community hospitals and soon embarking on three new hospital projects. By far the most unique and remarkable characteristic of SEF is that they provide free eye care for those unable to afford it, those members of the rural poor, and this accounts for 80 percent—which is approximately 200,000 people per year—of the surgeries performed at their hospitals. The tireless efforts by the SEF team since inception, has enabled 1.95 million eyes to receive the gift of vision, utterly free of cost.  Also, it has maintained the top rating from Charity Navigator for sound fiscal management for seven years

SEF will focus its fundraising activities for 3 new projects, Focus Mumbai, Focus Hyderabad and Focus Indore.  Become a Founding Donor and leave a legacy – get your name on the Wall of Founders. Double the impact of your gift with company matching. Join our cause, volunteer and share in the joy of bringing light to someone’s eyes. Please visit our website at www.giftofvision.org for more details.

 

This article was provided to India Currents by Sankara Eye Foundation

Dandia with Falguni Pathak Starts This Weekend!

A 90’s child from India will remember the magic Falguni Pathak created when she got behind the mic to sing. She first shot to fame with her hit musical ‘Chudi Jo Khanke’ and followed up with blockbusters like ‘Maine Payal Hai Chankayi’, ‘Yaad Piya ki Aane Lagi’, and ‘O Piya.’ Her popularity was off the charts, but she truly became a household name with her shows during the nine days of the Navratri festival in India. A humble beginning as the support singer in a choir, she is now the most sought-after performer at these events. Popularly known as the Dandia Queen, Falguni hails from the western state of Gujarat, known for folk music, culture and vibrant colors. She brings the same tenets to her performances. Though she believes folk music is the soul, she surprises audiences with unusual mix of famous Bollywood numbers and regional songs. Her charisma onstage is unmatched, her music makes the audience groove into the wee hours of the night.

This year, two stalwarts in their respective fields are coming together to give the audience a night to remember. Sankara Eye Foundation (SEF) is bringing Falguni Pathak for two of the three Dandia events this year at the Santa Clara Convention Center. The third event will feature acclaimed musicians from L.A., Preetysha and Sameer, who have performed for SEF for more than a decade. SEF is known for organizing successful events that provide exemplary experience to the attendees. A sold-out event for the last 14 years, every care is taken to make sure patrons leave with an unforgettable experience. Free Garba/Dandia lessons are provided at the venue, a separate area for children to enjoy, free check-in of Dandia sticks while Garba is on, are among the many things the organization does to leave the audience wanting more. Join the Dandia Queen and SEF on Oct. 5th and 6th at the Santa Clara Convention Center, Preetysha and Sameer on Oct 13th and Oct. 20th in Pleasanton at the Pleasanton Middle School Gym, to celebrate Navratri and contribute to the noble cause of eradicating curable blindness.

Established in the Bay Area, SEF is a nonprofit organization that has been working for the past 20 years for the cause of eradicating curable blindness in India. Driven by the truly inspirational vision of eradicating curable blindness in India, SEF currently has 9 super specialty hospitals and is working on three new hospitals- in Hyderabad, Indore and Mumbai. By far a unique and remarkable characteristic of SEF is that they provide free eye care for those unable to afford it, the rural poor. These account for 80 percent—which is approximately 150,000 people per year—of the surgeries performed at their hospitals. The tireless efforts by the SEF team since inception has enabled over 1.78 million people to receive the gift of vision, absolutely free of cost. The organization has maintained the top rating from Charity Navigator for sound fiscal health and commitment to accountability and transparency. Become a Founding Donor and leave a legacy – get your or your loved ones’ name on the Wall of Founders. Double the impact of your gift with company matching. Join the cause, volunteer, and share in the joy of bringing light to someone’s eyes.

To buy tickets for these events, please visit: https://www.giftofvision.org/events

Photo credit: SEF

Eye-opening Concert by SEL+F

Who knew that it would be the memory of Sankara Eye Foundation (SEF) Founder Murali Krishnamurthy singing that would stay in my heart after the Shankar Ehsaan Loy and Farhan Akhtar 2018 concert?

“Jyot se jyot jagate chalo, prem ki ganga bahaatay chalo.” (Light another’s lamp with your own, let the river of love flow.)

During the event, Murali Krishnamurthy presented the progress of the organization to the event attendees. He thanked them for their support and announced that three hospitals in India have now become self-sufficient and two more are close to becoming self-sufficient. He also talked about extending capacity in India by partnering with highly qualified organizations to reach the remotest places in India. Together, SEF will be performing more than 200,000 free surgeries this year.

“It is always a pleasure to associate with SEF. Every time we meet people working for the cause, we feel so insignificant. They give us so much inspiration. Along with music, if we can be a part of this cause, we are looking at a bigger picture of what music can do.” Shankar Mahadevan spoke passionately about the association of Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy with SEF.

Credit: Rupali Gupta Photography for SEF

The SEL trio promised that the show will be a high-energy show and they did not disappoint. Their excitement to perform together for a noble cause was evident on their faces. Everything was bigger, grander, filled with energy, and a sight to behold as the crowds danced their hearts out. The concert was an eclectic mix of soul-stirring romantic songs and foot-tapping dance numbers. Songs from the movie Dil Chahta Hai were the clear favorites, but the poetry recital by Farhan Akhtar set the mood. His occasional narration of anecdotes from his life had the audience in splits. With every song, the atmosphere got better, brighter, and happier.

“San Jose! My engineering friends!” Shankar Mahadevan called out after commenting on the inverse relationship between the volume of the cheers and the distance from the stage. He was hinting at his own education as an engineer, before his love for music claimed him. The crowd roared as the call and response proceeded. Shankar Mahadevan was his effervescent self and brought his humorous side to the stage. The crowd was putty in his hands, as his musical virtuosity blazed through.

Loy played a beautiful rendition of the song ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho’. Ehsaan mesmerized with the guitar. A packed house came alive when Shankar sang the song ‘It’s the Time to Disco’ and ‘Galla Goodiyan’. Farhan Akhtar’s singing was not bad, but clearly he was sharing the limelight with musical giants of a much higher caliber. Curtains came down on the show with the trio performing with Farhan Akhtar and the audience came alive, even at the tail end of the concert. The atmosphere became celebratory when Shankar Mahadevan mentioned that the day marked the trio’s 22-year anniversary and thanked fans worldwide for supporting them and being instrumental in their success.

A few patrons shared their amazing experience at the SEF organized event. Madhvi Pratt, Nigel Pratt and Jay Visvanathan from Los Altos were there “for the wonderful music and to support Sankara Eye Foundation.”

Madhvi Pratt, Nigel Pratt and Jay Visvanathan at the concert.

Shamik Mehta was there to see Farhan Akhtar, whose films, he felt, were superb at depicting deep friendships. Raj Vakil from Santa Clara was hoping to hear ‘Gallan Gudia.’ Farhan Akhtar fan Neha Desai had eyes only for her ‘Farru,’ official eye candy of the show.

Volunteers Lata Malviya, Hema Rambia and Matha Tallam were handing out brochures with information about SEF.

SEF Volunteers

The last strain as I walked away from the San Jose State University event center was ‘Ay vatan,’ a nostalgic number from Raazi. Swaying concert attendees mouthed the words, singing along with their friends as the concert wound down and the performers took a bow.

ABOUT SEF:

Established in the Bay Area, SEF is a nonprofit organization that has been working for the past 20 years for the cause of eradicating curable blindness in India. Driven by this truly inspirational vision, SEF currently has 9 super specialty hospitals and is working on three new hospitals – in Hyderabad, Indore, and Mumbai. The tireless efforts by the SEF team since inception has enabled over 1.75 million people to receive the gift of vision, absolutely free of cost. The organization has maintained the top rating from Charity Navigator for sound fiscal health and commitment to accountability and transparency. SEF will host a Dandia extravaganza this year featuring Falguni Pathak.

Article cover photo credit: Rupali Gupta Photography for SEF

Shankar, Ehsaan, Loy & Farhan Akhtar Live!

Join Sankara Eye Foundation (SEF) and spend an evening with the world-class trio Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy, along with the multi-talented Farhan Akhtar. Mark your calendars for this mesmerizing musical concert on August 24 in San Jose, CA and August 25 in Pasadena, CA. 

Shankar Mahadevan is a singer and music composer and made an impressive start with his first album Breathless. He has won the National award multiple times for best playback singer and best music director. Ehsaan Noorani is a music composer,  guitarist and has lent his vocals to many Bollywood songs such as “Ek Junoon” from Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and “Don The Theme” from Don. Loy Mendonsa played the guitar and piano for A.R Rehman before he became a music composer. Farhan Akhtar, the son of noted screenwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar, is an Indian film director, screenwriter, producer, actor, playback singer and television host. After beginning his career in Bollywood as an assistant director for Lamhe (1991), Farhan made his directorial debut with Dil Chahta Hai (2001), which won a National award. Farhan Akhtar made his Hollywood debut through the soundtrack of Bride and Prejudice (2004), for which he wrote the lyrics. His official acting debut was with Rock On!! (2008), for which he won a second National Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi as producer. He wrote the dialogues, produced and acted for the critical and commercial success Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011), which won him two Filmfare Awards, including Best Supporting Actor. His portrayal of Milkha Singh in the 2013 film Bhaag Milkha Bhaag earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Actor.

The trio of Shankar/Ehsaan/Loy has created magic together and won many national awards for best Music Direction with such hits as Kal Ho Na Ho, Dil Chahta Hai, Bunty aur Babli, Rock On, Dil Dhadakane Do, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, and so on. They also won awards for Two States (Best Music) and Mission Kashmir (Best Background Music).

When Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy did a 5 city tour for SEF two years ago, they rocked the jam-packed auditoriums and the audience left wanting for more! Here is a chance to experience this for yourself, along with the talented Farhan Akhtar.

You can help prevent needless blindness by enjoying this fun-filled musical event with family and friends- does it get any better than that? Buy your tickets online at www.giftofvision.org today and treat yourself to an amazing experience, while brightening someone’s world.

Driven by the truly inspirational vision of eradicating curable blindness, Sankara Eye Foundation (SEF)  currently has 9 hospitals and is working on three new hospitals- in Hyderabad, Indore and Mumbai. SEF provides free eye care for those unable to afford it, the rural poor, accounting for 80 percent (approx. 150,000 people per year) of surgeries performed at SECI hospitals. The tireless efforts by the SEF team since inception has enabled over 1.75 million people to receive the gift of vision, absolutely free of cost. www.giftofvision.org 

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