Tamil Nadu - Chennai   

A concerted effort to better lives

Staff Reporter

Top musicians come together for Shakti Foundation aid event on February 25 Shakti Foundation's future plan is to improve employment opportunities for the disabled by networking with corporate companies

CHENNAI: The Shakti Foundation will bring together an ensemble of the country's top musicians for a concert in aid of the physically challenged.

Jasraj (vocal), Hariprasad Chaurasia (flute), U. Srinivas (mandolin), Selvaganesh (ganjira), Taufiq Qureshi (percussion) and Vijay Ghate (tabla) will take the stage at Panchtatva 2006 to be held on February 25 the at Music Academy at 6 p.m.

The show is an annual fund-raising tradition of the Shakti Foundation, which is now in its 15th year. The foundation works closely with Adhiparasakthi Hospital for its rural health care programmes. Sustained efforts have also helped install ramps in several buildings in the city, including Spencer Plaza, Chennai Central and Chennai Corporation.

The force behind the Shakti Foundation is the example set by a young man, afflicted with a debilitating disorder called Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

"My son Velan is the real founder of Shakti," says Vasanth Raghuvir, the foundation's chairperson. Since 1998, when Velan succumbed to the disorder, she has intensified her crusade for better opportunities for the physically challenged. She recalls Velan's jotting in a college notebook: I believe life is short, so play/work hard.

Loved music

As Velan loved music, Shakti initiated concerts by professional performers in 2000. Stalwarts like Zakir Hussain (tabla) and Michael Brook (guitar) have performed in the fundraisers. Mandolin Srinivas is also a strong supporter of the Shakti campaign.

Funds raised will go towards the purchase of modern equipment for detection and non-surgical treatment for kidney stone patients.

Shakti's future plan is to improve employment opportunities for the disabled by networking with corporate companies.

The foundation also offers counselling and support to children with disabilities and their parents.

For donor passes to the concert, contact Shakti Foundation at 9, Manickeswari Road, Kilpauk or call 26611213. For tele-booking (tickets should be collected within 48 hours), call 9840789145, 9840789837, 9840429217, 9840431642.

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