Shankar team enthralls at SEF concert

India Post News Service

SAN JOSE, CA: “It is always a pleasure to associate with Sankara Eye Foundation (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 trio’s association with SEF. He also shared a small snippet about his relationship with Farhan at the press conference. Their association began when Farhan directed his breathless video, the same video that has become synonymous with his name and a must at every concert. He was also joined by Loy who wished success for the cause, and Ehsaan chimed in by praising the work of the organization. Their excitement to perform together for a noble cause was evident on their faces. Everything was bigger, grander, filled with energy, and sight to behold watching the patrons dance 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 really 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. Shankar Mahadevan was his effervescent self and brought his humorous side to the stage.

Music is worship for Shankar Ehsaan and Loy and they proved it. Loy played a beautiful rendition of the song ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho’ and it touched many chords. Ehsaan mesmerized with the guitar. A packed house came alive when Shankar sang the song ‘It’s the time to disco’ and ‘Galla Goodiyan’. No performance of his is complete without him singing the ‘Breathless’ song; and many years later after it was first released, he sang it beautifully.

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.

Murali Krishnamurthy, Founder and Executive Chairman of SEF, acknowledged that an event of this magnitude is not possible without the unflinching support of the sponsors and expressed his sincere gratitude to them on behalf of the organization.

A few patrons shared their amazing experience at the SEF organized event. Zainab along with her friends said, “We absolutely loved the concert, are super proud of the work the organization is doing. Keep up the good work.” Bhavna Ghosh said, “I always wanted to see Shankar, Ehsaan, Loy live in concert and Farhan Akhtar was a pleasant and beautiful surprise. I also think what the foundation is doing is very noble, and I wish they continue to do what they are doing.”

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.

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. By far a unique and remarkable characteristic of SEF is that they provide world class vision care for those unable to afford it, which accounts for 80 percent of the total surgeries performed at these 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.