Desi Talk

www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 18 CITY VIEWS November 1, 2024 Ramaavan– A Musical Returns To New York And Jersey City F resh from a successful run in India and supported by a Musical Theater Grant from the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA), the musical based on the Indian epic Rama- yana makes a comeback this fall, Nov 7-10, to NewYork City’s CullumTheatre, American Theatre for Actors, NYC, NY. Ramaavan – A Musical is adapted from the celebrated ancient Indian epic the Ramayana, which has received acclaim for Roy’s interpretation as bold, innovative and having a universal appeal. The treat- ment aims at crossing boundaries of race, bias and preconceived societal notions as well as of traditional genres of dance and music in retelling the epic tale. Recently Surati for Performing Arts received what it describes as a “generous grant” from the NEA for Ramaavan. “It is the first time a South Asian Musical The- atre production has received the presti- gious NEA funding,” Founder and Artistic Director of Surati, Rimli Roy is quoted saying in the press release. Surati’s Ramaavan has already found success in India and will be returning for more shows in 2025. Performers of different races and ethnicities practicing different religions are cast and accorded the liberties to explore each character through the lens of their own understandings and beliefs, says the press release. The families shown are multi-racial, the costumes and props are introduced from various sources, and the artisans creating them come from different societies. The same goes for the music and dance which range from ragas of Indian classical music to Hip-Hop, Opera and Jazz; from Bharatanatyam and Kathak classical Indian dance to Ballet and Flamenco. From a Presss Release Photo:Provided bySurati for Performing Arts Poster/Flyer for Ramaavan- A Musical. South Asian Council For Social Services Receives $850,000 Funding Dasha Srimali Vanik Holds Diwali Celebration T he South Asian Council for Social Services (SACSS) announced it has received a generous contribution of $850,000 from Congresswoman Grace Meng, D-NY, that will support the organiza- tion’s efforts to purchase a new space toex- pand its programs and services to better serve the South Asian and other immigrant com- munities in NewYork. On October 24, Rep. Meng presented the check at the SACSS Senior Center alongside community members, where she expressed her admiration for SACSS’s dedication to serving immigrant communities, a press release from SACSS said. “It is a token of our appreciation for SACSS and how much it does to uplift our commu- nity, and make sure that as many people as possible have equal access to government services,” Meng is quoted saying in the press release. “We are deeply grateful to Congress Mem- ber Grace Meng for her unwavering support and commitment to our mission,” said SACSS Executive Director Sudha Acharya. “This generous contribution brings us closer to achieving our goal of expanding SACSS’s programs and services in a space that has become a stable, long-term home in the Flushing community we have been serving for 24 years.” SACSS has launched an ambitious capital campaign to purchase the building that cur- rently houses its workforce development pro- grams, including sewing, English language, and computer classes, preparing immigrant NewYorkers for future job opportunities. Ac- quiring the building will help secure a perma- nent and expanded space for these programs and launch new initiatives to address the needs of South Asian and other immigrant communities, the organization said. The space will provide a platform for SACSS to offer various services, including educational programs, cultural events, and social support services, it added. T he community organiza- tion Dasha Srimali Vanik of North America held a Diwali celebration at Vatan restau- rant in New Jersey, October 27, 2024. Seen here are some of the guests enjoying the meal. Photo prvided by Dasha Srimali Vanik of North America By a StaffWriter By a StaffWriter Photos:courtesyof SACSS Congress Member Grace Meng presents a $850K check to SACSS Executive Director Sudha Acharya, alongside community members at the SACSS Senior Center on October 24, 2024. Congress Member Grace Meng and SACSS staff members pose for a photo in front of the building that houses SACSS workforce development programs.