‘Ekal Se Taal Mila Ke Jhoom’ proves a
Resounding Success
By: Samiksha Gaherwar and Mahadev Desai
Pics.by: Vinod Devlia
“A child without education is like a bird without wings.”In a diligent
effort to gift wings to children in rural and tribal communities in India,
the Atlanta Ekal Vidyalaya chapter set out on the formidable endeavour to
organize “Ekal Se Taal Mila ke Jhoom” on December 15, 2019, a fundraising
event with the ambitious overarching objective to orchestrate an
entertainment program with some of the best artists from all over Atlanta in
one auditorium. The notion was conceptualized seven months in advance of the
event, and meticulous and coordinated preparation began swiftly to ensure
that it ran smoothly and effectually.
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Consul Davender Singh, along with the Atlanta Chapter president
Shiv Aggarwal, VP Ajay Upadhyaya, Event Coordinator Neetu Singh
Chauhan, Pt.Upadhayay Ji, and young artist and Volunteers
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Delineated “a very successful mission” by Indian Prime Minister Narendra
Modi, the Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation is a non-profit entity that has been
operating since 1986 in neglected rural areas to eradicate illiteracy. Its
innovative and revolutionizing single teacher schools have metamorphosed
thousands of communities, empowering them through the provision of free
basic education, healthcare, and vocational training. With support from 42
United States and various international chapters, Ekal is impacting the
lives of over 2.7 million boys and girls, through over 100,000 schools
operating productively from Kashmir to Kerala. The Atlanta volunteers were
dedicated to increasing those numbers, and they begin to collect donations,
sell tickets, arrange for performances, and choreograph what was destined to
be a scintillating, sensational show.
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Performing schools and Singers being felicitated |
The event began at 6:30 pm after a succulent dinner at Mountain View High
School with a warm welcome from the GA Event Coordinator, Neetu Singh
Chauhan, who emceed the show, candidly expounding upon her personal
connection to the cause. This was followed by Regional VP Ajay Upadhyaya’s
expressive rendition of “Ek Pyar Ka Nagma Hai” as he urged the audience to
begin donating. The well attended event was graced by the esteemed dignitary
Consul Davender Singh who lit the lamp, representing good will, knowledge,
and the spread of divine grace. Alongside him were Chapter President Shiv
Aggarwal, Ajay Upadhyaya, Pandit Gyan Prakash Upadhyay chanting the mantras,
and the event’s youngest participants, including Anoushka, Prachi, Esha, and
Pragya, a 7th grader who donated $700 that she collected on her birthday.
The captivating show commenced with the foot-tapping number “Rhythm Speaks”
by Kalaxya Dance Academy. Founder and Director Mital Patel, who aims to have
a multicultural approach in preserving the dynamic and rich traditions of
Indian classical dance, choreographed the enthralling traditional dance with
a touch of modern rhythm. Next was Chandra Dance Academy’s “Rajwaddi”, a
mesmerizing Rajasthani Kathak piece choreographed by Founder and Director
Brittny Chandra, a prolific performer as an internationally recognized
Kathak artist hailing from the Jaipur Gharana style. Both performances
showcased talented dancers, riveting music, and a promising, upbeat start to
the show.
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Ekal Volunteers |
The ensuing performance was choreographed by Geet-Rung School of Dance and
Music Founder and Director Divya Srivastava, who has always extended her
undying support to Ekal. She, once again, put in her diligent efforts to
entertain and enthrall the audience by showcasing the graceful and delicate
dimensions of Kathak in an enchanting performance of “Deewani Mastani”. As
a captivating conclusion to the initial dance segment, Nritya Natya Kala
Bharti Dance (NNKB) Founder and Director Kumud Savla, an internationally
recognized artist honored by the Government of India, had her students
perform two pieces- a compelling performance to “Ghar More Pardesiya”,
amalgamating the pizzazz of Bollywood dance with the grace of Kathak, and an
invigorating medley of unforgettable Bollywood Jazz classics.
These four dance schools were received with wholehearted applause for
their spectacular performances.
This was followed by the introduction of four of Atlanta’s greatest
vocalists, as they stunned the audience with their extraordinary solo
performances. Purnima Mathur, an accomplished singer for All India Radio and
a prior part of the music talent show SaReGaMaPa and Zee Antakshari, awed
with her collection of classic medleys, including “Radha Na Bole Na Bole”,
“Zara Si Aahat”, and “Bole Re Papihara”. Saras Jain, a gifted Indian
classical vocalist and Atlanta Indian Idol finalist, astounded the audience
with his soulful vocals and dexterous techniques in his breathtaking
interpretation of “Chunar”. Lakshmi Rao, a talented performer that has been
known as the “Asha Bhosle of Atlanta” for many decades, gave an ebullient
rendition of “Yeh Ishq Hai”.
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Singers Lakshmi Rao, Purnima Mathur, Saras Jain, and Pankaj
Bhargava |
Finally, Pankaj Bhargava, known as the “Kishore Kumar of Atlanta”, had
audience members engaged and dancing along to his foot-tapping
Amitabh-Kishore Medley.
After an enlightening presentation on Ekal by Preeti Tanwar and a heartfelt
vote of thanks by President Shiv Aggrawal, the dancing continued, with
Kalaxya presenting “Garba Masti” with a modern twist of infinite love to
Radha Krishna and “Lavni Mix”, synthesizing traditional rhythms with
fun-filled Bollywood beats. Chandra Dance Academy then exhibited their
classical roots in the entrancing “Conversation between 323”. Geet Rung
showcased a variety of the latest Bollywood hits with the exciting,
student-choreographed “Punjabi Medley”. The show concluded with the four
extraordinary vocalists uniting to perform a medley of “Aankhon Mein Kya”,
“Chup Gaya Nazare”, “Dheere Dheere Chal”,“Aa Dekhein Zara”, and many more
that culminated with thunderous applause.
The show was an indubitable success, raising 100 schools at the event in
addition to monetary donations, including a $1000 contribution from Suvidha
Indo-Pak Groceries and a $20,000 pledge from 27th Investments Group. Prior
to the date, 64 additional schools were donated for the event from August
24th. It was an evening of fun,and philanthropy that will not be easily
forgotten. The volunteers and attendees were proud of all the wings gifted,
looking forward to accomplishing even more through Ekal Vidyalaya.
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Jan-12-2020