Chennai:
A music group for charity, Aarohi, comprising professionals who sing retro Bollywood and South Indian film songs, presents Pancham Meets Isaignani in Chennai on July 4, 2014.
Aarohi raises funds for deserving causes, says Vidhya, Trustee, Aarohi Charitable Trust. "Typically we get sponsors to fund the cost of the project and donate all funds over actual expenses to the cause. So far we have raised a few lakhs through two modest public concerts and numerous shows at social clubs like Race Club and Boat Club, Vidhya said.
"Sponsors and donors have been enthused by our passion and the causes - and to some extent we also do have good talent - though we are amateur singers. So donation cheques have been pouring in," points out Vidhya.
Last year, Aarohi helped a shelter for differently abled children, Karunai Illam, in Tambaram. It supported two children afflicted with cancer. The monetary support combined with other support from doctors and technicians could help them resume normal life soon.
The idea is to bring in the same amount of professionalism into the music programmes.
The shows are well attended - given the retro focus and profile of the singers - all professionals - and senior management executives. The audience is upper middle class, mostly couples 35- 40 +. The shows are well packaged and showcase unique aspects of Indian film music.
On July 4, the group is coming up with a new theme, “Pancham Meets Isaignani” an interesting presentation of songs which portray the musical genius of RD Burman and Ilayaraja. It will feature Hindi and Tamil songs with a representation of Malayalam /Telugu and Kannada. The show will be held at Sivagami Pethachi auditorium.
The funds from this show will be used to support dialysis patients who are daily wagers and family bread winners. It will help them with vocational rehabilitation and make it a sustainable intervention. The patients are attached to the Madras Kidney Trust and Hypertension Research Foundation, Ayanavaram.
This is the group's first ticketed show. eventjini is its online and ticketing partner.
Every member of the group is a professional in his/her own right - with their own careers - but choose to make time for a good cause and doing what comes naturally - Music. The group also has a diverse range of voices, which is not something that every band can boast of.
