CONCERT: Close to My Heart: Sonu Nigam Sings for Sankara Eye Foundation | SILICONEER

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CONCERT:
Close to My Heart: Sonu Nigam Sings for Sankara Eye Foundation

San Francisco Bay Area-based Sankara Eye Foundation and Sonu Nigam presented a mesmerizing, soulful and emotional concert performance with an aim to raise funds for giving the gift of vision to millions who cannot afford eye surgeries on their own. A Siliconeer report.

(Above): Sonu Nigam in concert at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., May 25. [All concert photos: Sankara Eye Foundation]

The “Klose to My Soul” mega concert at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., May 25, was the first of the three fundraising concert with Bollywood megastar Sonu Nigam presented by Sankara Eye Foundation.

This sold out show was a night to remember for the 8,500 attendees who anxiously waited to see the marvelous Sonu Nigam perform live. The symphony orchestra band members, dressed in white tuxedos, were welcomed lovingly by the audience with loud cheers and applause. The band members reciprocated with an awe-inspiring performance and complimented an extraordinary artist like Sonu Nigam very well.

(Above): Budding singer Jonita Gandhi accompanied Sonu as the female voice at the concert, at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., May 25.

The show began with budding singing sensation Jonita Gandhi performing popular hits from Asha Bhosle such as “Piya Tu Ab to Aaja,” “Raat Akeli Hai,” “Oh Mere Sona Re,” and “Dum Maaro Dum.” It wasn’t long before Sonu Nigam took the stage and drove the audience wild with his performance. The audience’s energy and their love and support for Sonu Nigam and his band members was incredible. He sang some beautiful numbers such as “Chori Chori Chupke Ke Se Meri Ankhon Mein Samaja” (Lucky), “Mujh Se Shaadi Karogi” (Mujh Se Shaadi Karogi) “Chup Chup Ke” (Bunty Aur Babli), “Bijuria,” “Suraj Hua Maddham” (Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham) and “Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna” (Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna). Jonita Ghandhi and Sonu Nigam sang “Bole Chudiyan” among other duets.

(Above): Sonu Nigam in concert at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., May 25.

Wherever Sonu Nigam performs, he creates a heart to heart connection with his audience from the moment he steps on stage. This concert was no exception. Sonu is also an accomplished mimicry artist and he created a laugh riot with his impeccable imitations of Bollywood personalities. The only time the auditorium went silent was when Sonu paid an emotional tribute to his recently-deceased mother with the song “Kya Hua Tera Waada” while pictures of him with his mother flashed on the video screen behind him. At one point during this song, Sonu was so overcome with emotion that he had to motion to the band to continue playing without his vocals. Most of the members of the audience could be seen wiping their eyes along with Sonu. Sonu’s father, Agam Kumar Nigam, who was instrumental in making Sonu a great star, also sang a few evergreen hits from Mohammed Rafi.

(Above): Sonu Nigam in concert at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., May 25.

The event was successful for SEF on many fronts. In addition to connecting with the Bay Area community, SEF accomplished its fundraising goals by raising funds towards construction of their next hospital in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, and expansion of the hospital in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh.

Sonu Nigam is performing two more shows for Sankara Eye Foundation at Showare in Seattle on May 30 and at Nokia Center in Los Angeles on May 31.

(Above): Versatile Bollywood singer Sonu Nigam talks to the media about his journey as an artist. He spoke candidly about his passion and how he pursued his childhood dream, the difficulties he had to face and the uncompromising support he received from his parents. Sonu explained how he was able to have all the energy to give a stellar performance at all his concerts. He attributed it to the wonderful audience, adding that coffee and cardio exercises kept him going. [Amar D. Gupta | Siliconeer]

Sankara Eye Foundation was established in the Bay Area in 1998, as a non-profit organization that has been working for the past sixteen years for the cause of eradicating curable blindness from India by raising funds for Sankara Eyecare Institutes, the largest provider of free eye surgeries in the world. Driven by the truly inspirational mission of “Vision 20/20 by the year 2020,” Sankara has established eight community hospitals as well as two city hospitals so far. It is going to inaugurate its ninth community hospital in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh soon.

(Above): The Sankara Eye Foundation team at the press conference at San Jose Marriott, May 28. [Amar D. Gupta | Siliconeer]

The hospital in Jodhpur, Rajasthan would be the tenth community hospital.

By far the most unique and remarkable characteristic of SEF is that they provide free eye care for those unable to access or afford it. This accounts for 80 percent, approximately 150,000 surgeries per year performed at their hospitals.

Their tireless efforts have enabled over a million people to receive the gift of vision, free of cost.

None of this would be possible without the support of SEF’s donors, sponsors, and patrons at concerts like this. Interested readers can join this great cause at www.giftofvision.org.