Raksha, Penn Masala Join Forces for Fundraiser
Benefit Gala Raises At Least $30,000
Atlanta, Georgia -- Monday, Oct. 4, 2004 -- Raksha, the Atlanta-based
non-profit organization, and Penn Masala, a Hindi A Cappella group, joined
forces Saturday, October 2, to host the sixth annual "Ek Shaam Raksha Ke
Naam" (An Evening in the Name of Raksha) at Earthlink Live in midtown
Atlanta.
The gala, Raksha's signature fundraising event, was attended by nearly 800
people and raised, according to initial estimates, at least $30,000. The
event marked the second collaboration between Penn Masala and Raksha in as
many years.
Between two sets of performances by Penn Masala, the evening included a
presentation by Raksha on the upcoming vote -- scheduled for November 2 --
on a state Constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage in Georgia.
Featuring spoken word vignettes by Raksha staff, Board members, volunteers,
and activists, the performance focused on the impact such a ban would have
on the civil rights of a vital part of the community.
The presentation also addressed the proposed CLEAR act -- a piece of
legislation that would give local and state law-enforcement agencies the
authority to enforce immigration laws -- and various aspects of the Patriot
Act.
"In the name of true community-based collaborations, Raksha gave individuals
affected by public policies the space and time to call on community members
to do the right thing and challenge state-sponsored injustice," said Raksha
staff member Priyanka Sinha. "It was heartwarming to see the eager and
supportive audience response which speaks volumes about the great
compassionate community we have in Atlanta."
Khurram Hassan, Raksha's Executive Board President, said he was pleased with
the community's support and the successful collaboration with Penn Masala.
"Penn Masala had an immediate reaction of excitement from the 'Ek Shaam'
audience last night and they never lost that connection. Penn Masala's
combination of Desi and Western songs, of beats and melodies, and of humor
and jokes, kept the audience excited through out the evening," he said.
Penn Masala began in the spring of 1996 when several freshmen at the
University of Pennsylvania decided to combine South Asian music with a
western musical style. It is a rotating group of 12 to 14 members, and as
they graduate, new members are recruited to join.
After two years of arranging music and performing around the United States,
Penn Masala accepted a record deal to record an album. The group recently
released its album, "Soundcheck," featuring the hit single "Na Tum Jano,"
and is working on its fourth release.
After the evening's festivities ended, an after-party followed featuring DJ
Sketch and DJ Bally.
Ek Shaam '04 was sponsored by a number of companies and organizations, including: Bank of America, Georgia Pacific, Emdee Corporation, Indore Oil, Bhindi Jewelers, AirTran Airways, Coca Cola, Georgia Pacific, W Hotel, Norman Rashid and Diane Leonall, Annapurna Restaurant, Desi Masala, Khabar Magazine, Little India, Rivaaj magazine, and two anonymous donors. Delta Air Lines and Global Groceries donated 100,000 SkyMiles each.
Utopian Events designed the stage production.
Raksha is a Georgia-based nonprofit support and referral network that
promotes a stronger and healthier South Asian community through free and
confidential direct services, education and advocacy.
Enjoyed reading Khabar magazine? Subscribe to Khabar and get a full digital copy of this Indian-American community magazine.
