Ragas of Devi: A domestic violence survivor’s tribute to Shakti NZ
A former survivor of domestic violence is taking recourse to her passion for Indian classical music to give back and support Shakti NZ – the leading non-profit organisation - serving women in the migrant and refugee communities.
The musical fundraising event titled Ragas of Devi is scheduled to be held on Saturday, May 29, at Mt. Eden War Memorial Hall (from 6 pm to 9.pm).
Devi Sobhana is excited to bring together this event along with a group of other classical Indian music artists, and in the process, highlight the exemplary work done by Shakti NZ in ensuring that migrant women experiencing distress in their personal lives could once again live a life of dignity, free from fear and violence.
Speaking to the Indian Weekender, Devi said, "Shakti has helped me immensely in picking up the shattered pieces of my life and starting all over again with self-respect and dignity."
"Shakti deserves much more recognition than what it gets now, and I am really proud to be able to put together this event and showcase the world the great work they do in supporting women in distress in our migrant communities," Devi said.
Ragas of Devi aims to portray four important emotional stages in every woman's life through music, art and dance. The emotions are carefree, love and affection, determination and struggles, and hope, Devi told the Indian Weekender.
With the backdrop of a live band, the event is going to have singers covering Hindustani classical, Carnatic, Sufi (Persian form), Qawwali (Persian as well), Punjabi, Western Classical, Western pop and Bollywood. Along with the music, there will also be several dance performances to take viewers on a vivid journey of emotions.
The tickets are priced at $20 and available at Eventbrite and all proceeds from the event will go towards supporting Shakti NZ.
Shakti is an organisation that stands strongly for supporting vulnerable women and children who were victims of domestic violence/ abuse.
About Devi and why she wanted to do this event
Devi is an established professional singer with roots in Carnatic (south Indian form) music, who was cut off for several years from her passion when going through an incredibly difficult phase in her personal life.
Though she was raised in a very progressive family, she had to call Shakti for help at one point in her life and had to temporarily move to one of their safe houses with her son.
It was during her short stay in that safe house when she realised two important things.
First, there were often women in migrant communities who were in a far less fortunate situation than hers (she had a job and was confident to be able to pick up her life quickly) with no job or financial backup. She realised that there were many women in the community who just do not reach out for help when they are going through abuse in their personal lives.
Many of them stop chasing their dreams just because they think that that is no more a priority in life. Devi wanted to be an inspiration to all of them and encourage them to chase their dreams.
The other thing that Devi had first handily witnessed was the impact of reassuring support of organisations like Shakti in the lives of migrant women enduring domestic violence and abuse. Even with the limited resources, the Shakti safe house has provided her with peace and a feeling of safety.
She had made a promise to herself that very day that she would be doing something meaningful in her own way to pay tribute to Shakti NZ.
The tickets for the event can be bought online at https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/ragas-of-devi-presents-shakti-tickets-135432906469?fbclid=IwAR3mOnzRegBdOJCJ_5h3JLoIiOYYDJEWHXzV-LZ8ChH2mMYnfEbx-i2x8Uc
A former survivor of domestic violence is taking recourse to her passion for Indian classical music to give back and support Shakti NZ – the leading non-profit organisation - serving women in the migrant and refugee communities.
The musical fundraising event titled Ragas of Devi is scheduled to be...
A former survivor of domestic violence is taking recourse to her passion for Indian classical music to give back and support Shakti NZ – the leading non-profit organisation - serving women in the migrant and refugee communities.
The musical fundraising event titled Ragas of Devi is scheduled to be held on Saturday, May 29, at Mt. Eden War Memorial Hall (from 6 pm to 9.pm).
Devi Sobhana is excited to bring together this event along with a group of other classical Indian music artists, and in the process, highlight the exemplary work done by Shakti NZ in ensuring that migrant women experiencing distress in their personal lives could once again live a life of dignity, free from fear and violence.
Speaking to the Indian Weekender, Devi said, "Shakti has helped me immensely in picking up the shattered pieces of my life and starting all over again with self-respect and dignity."
"Shakti deserves much more recognition than what it gets now, and I am really proud to be able to put together this event and showcase the world the great work they do in supporting women in distress in our migrant communities," Devi said.
Ragas of Devi aims to portray four important emotional stages in every woman's life through music, art and dance. The emotions are carefree, love and affection, determination and struggles, and hope, Devi told the Indian Weekender.
With the backdrop of a live band, the event is going to have singers covering Hindustani classical, Carnatic, Sufi (Persian form), Qawwali (Persian as well), Punjabi, Western Classical, Western pop and Bollywood. Along with the music, there will also be several dance performances to take viewers on a vivid journey of emotions.
The tickets are priced at $20 and available at Eventbrite and all proceeds from the event will go towards supporting Shakti NZ.
Shakti is an organisation that stands strongly for supporting vulnerable women and children who were victims of domestic violence/ abuse.
About Devi and why she wanted to do this event
Devi is an established professional singer with roots in Carnatic (south Indian form) music, who was cut off for several years from her passion when going through an incredibly difficult phase in her personal life.
Though she was raised in a very progressive family, she had to call Shakti for help at one point in her life and had to temporarily move to one of their safe houses with her son.
It was during her short stay in that safe house when she realised two important things.
First, there were often women in migrant communities who were in a far less fortunate situation than hers (she had a job and was confident to be able to pick up her life quickly) with no job or financial backup. She realised that there were many women in the community who just do not reach out for help when they are going through abuse in their personal lives.
Many of them stop chasing their dreams just because they think that that is no more a priority in life. Devi wanted to be an inspiration to all of them and encourage them to chase their dreams.
The other thing that Devi had first handily witnessed was the impact of reassuring support of organisations like Shakti in the lives of migrant women enduring domestic violence and abuse. Even with the limited resources, the Shakti safe house has provided her with peace and a feeling of safety.
She had made a promise to herself that very day that she would be doing something meaningful in her own way to pay tribute to Shakti NZ.
The tickets for the event can be bought online at https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/ragas-of-devi-presents-shakti-tickets-135432906469?fbclid=IwAR3mOnzRegBdOJCJ_5h3JLoIiOYYDJEWHXzV-LZ8ChH2mMYnfEbx-i2x8Uc
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