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Jasraj to Sing for Gujarat in US

Som Chivukula

Pandit Jasraj has some unfinished business to take care of.

Last June, he was to join hands with tabla maestro Zakir Hussain for an event in San Francisco to help the 5H Program. But an emergency bypass surgery sidelined him.

Instead, Hussain teamed up with Ali Akbar Khan to wow a crowd of more than 2,000. Nearly $70,000 was raised at the event.

Now, almost a year later, Jasraj, 72, is back at full strength and ready to fulfill his commitment to 5H. The programme, founded in 1997 by the humanitarian Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, is sponsored mainly by the International Association for Human Values.

Jasraj, who has won just about every major accolade in India such as the Padma Vibhushan and Sangeet Martand for his singing, will pair with tabla player Vijay Ghate to perform in San Francisco and Los Angeles on May 5 and 12, respectively.

Violinist Kala Ramnath is accompanying the duo.

"Panditji is doing very well [health-wise]," said Kalpana Singh, a 5H volunteer and co-organizer of the San Francisco event. "He is excited about coming to America and fulfilling his promise."

Jasraj is also performing in a number of cities, including New York, but they are not part of the 5H concert series.

Jasraj has long been fascinated with 5H and its work worldwide, especially in India. The programme is known for its service projects, providing basic necessities to thousands of people. Health, Homes, Hygiene, Human Values and Harmony in Diversity are its five pillars.

"He is impressed by the volunteers and their work in India," Singh noted. "5H works at the grassroots level, something that is very important to him."

Funds raised from the concerts will be used for relief work in Gujarat. The organizers expect to raise $150,000. The 5H Program has adopted 26 villages for long-term reconstruction projects, expected to cost almost $15 million.

Last month, 5H raised $150,000 for Gujarat from an international walkathon, held in over 30 cities. Later this year, flautist Hari Prasad Chaurasia and tabla player Swapan Chaudhuri will perform in Toronto to help Gujarat.

"Work has begun in Gujarat with building temporary schools, orphanages, community and healthcare centres," Singh said.

Tickets for the 7pm events on May 5 and 12 range from $20 to $100. Purchase online at www.5h.org or call 888-909-7359.

Venues: Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco

La Mirada Theater for Performing Arts, Cerritos

CHAT with Pandit Jasraj and Vijay Ghate on rediff.com, May 2, 6pm EDT (3pm PDT).

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