Los Angeles, California – Two of the greatest talents to represent Indian entertainment were honored on November 15th here at the Omni Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles at a gala benefiting social and economic change in India.
Entitled “India Rising,” Hollywood stars Kiefer Sutherland (24), Noureen DeWulf (Ghosts of Girlfriends Past) and Sendhil Ramamurthy (Heroes) made their way to the American India Foundation’s Sixth Annual Southern California Gala, Bollywood star Anil Kapoor and Indian tabla player Ustad Zakir Hussain were both recognized for their significant contributions to charity and philanthropy.
“This is an organization which we should be honoring,” Hussain said of the AIF organization. “I feel so embarrassed they are honoring us when we should be doing so much for them.”
Considered by many to be the “chief architect of the contemporary world music movement,” Hussain committed himself to AIF’s cause, telling the crowd of about 500 that as long as he can perform, he will donate his musical talents to the organization for charitable concerts.
“An organization like (AIF) helps to raise the awareness of education and technology … and the empowering of women in India,” the musician added. “We are a great country; we are one of the largest poor countries. I am blessed and honored they have asked me to come here and be a part of this.”
A tabla maestro, Hussain was recently humbled at the 2009 Grammy Awards, nabbing the award for best Contemporary World Music Album for his collaborative effort with “Global Drum Project.” Working with Grateful Dead’s Mickey Hart, Nigerian percussionist Sikiru Adepoju and Puerto Rican jazz percussionist Giovanni Hidalgo, the collaborative project allows Hussain to work with percussionists around the world.
Considered a child prodigy, Hussain began touring the world at age 12 and founded his own record label, Moment! Records, to further original collaborations in contemporary world music. In addition, Hussain has also taught music around the world, including world renowned universities such as Princeton and Stanford, and starred in several music documentaries.
Meanwhile, Kapoor was presented with an award by AIF, with his 24 co-star Kiefer Sutherland on hand to present him with the honor.
“No one can ever get used to this,” Kapoor said of his steady dose of honors and awards since starring in Slumdog Millionaire. “They (AIF) are doing a great job. I am very humbled by this honor.”
Starring in more than 100 Indian films in his career and winning several awards along the way, Kapoor donated his salary from Slumdog Millionaire to Indian children’s charity. The Bollywood actor has also supported many other causes by attending charity galas and promoting goodwill for needy people in India.
Organized by AIF, the gala event raised money to foster the group’s vision to help build an India “where all people can gain access to education, health-care, and livelihood opportunities.” To help achieve its philanthropic agenda, AIF “mobilizes resources in the United States and invests these (resources) … for the marginalized in India.”
Founded in 2001, AIF has worked with more than Indian non-government organizations, enlisted almost 200 Service Corps Fellows for ten-month projects, and introduced technology “to improve the education of (more than) 600,000 students.”
“India Rising” was produced by Dulari Amin and Phenomenon.
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