Udavum Karangal extends help and succor and a new lease of life to nearly 2000 orphans from new born babies to old dying destitutes.

The Bay Area chapter of Udavum Karangal has been actively raising funds to support Udavum Karangal’s cause in India for over 4 years. They organize events every year to both entertain and encourage community participation. This being a completely volunteer driven chapter, has no administrative overheads and all proceeds from tickets sales and sponsorships are channeled back to benefit the family members of Udavum Karangal, Chennai. Udavum Karangal’s signature annual spring event is Galaata. Galaata is very well attended with around 1500 in audience attendance, popular amongst their shows are Galaata Idol (a singing competition), and fashion shows based on interesting themes. Galaata was conceptualized with the idea of promoting a fun and entertaining way to raise funds in support of a worthy cause.

The volunteers of Udavum Karangal (SFBA) in association with Sanhiti, a south indian dance troupe, proudly present “Salangai to Salsa” on October 28, 2007 at McAfee Center, Saratoga High School, 20300 Herriman Avenue, Saratoga, CA.

In a special message to the volunteers of Sanhiti, on the occasion of Salangai to Salsa, the Udavum Karangal Founder in India, Shri Vidyaakar says “It is the song of love that keeps the world moving. I am grateful to your voices that lend music to the souls of the deprived.”

The founders of Sanhiti, Janani Narayanan, Priya Krishnamoorthy and Roopa Parameswaran, trained bharathanatyam exponents, share a little bit about Sanhiti, the inception, the cause, and about Salangai to Salsa, the groups’ performance for charity for the year 2007.

What is Sanhiti’s mission?

Janani:

The mission of Sanhiti is to promote the rich and diverse South Indian dance culture in the bay area. Our main aim is to bring together dance enthusiasts and provide them an opportunity to perform. We are delighted to present fund-raisers that benefit non-profit organizations.

That brings us to our next question. You pick a charity to support every year. What is your motivation to do the same?

• Different organizations support different good causes and we think all of them are worthy of our support.

• Every year we learn something different by working with different institutions, which helps us grow as an organization.

• It gives us a chance to try new ideas, take up new challenges and get away from our comfort zone.

You have a number of artists performing in Salangai to Salsa? How do you select them?

Janani:

Yes we have around 35 dancers this year alone. It’s a floating population. We conduct auditions (usually conducted in spring each year), for people who are interested and have a flair for dancing. We have 2 rounds of audition; folk and hip-hop. Based on their performance in the audition we select them for a particular style of dance. We train them as we start choreography and practices, and fine-tune their skills as they progress.

Sanhiti & Udavum Karangal Presents
"Salangai to Salsa - A potpourri of tamil film dances"
October 28th, 2007 (2pm and 6pm Two shows)
McAfee Performing Arts & Lecture Center
Saratoga, CA
www.salangaitosalsa.com