Rare are those moments when prodigious talent, terrific audience and careless enthusiasm come together.

Moments like these are meant to be relished and treasured. Seattle denizens had such a rare opportunity on last Sunday, April 28th when CRY organized "Ina Mina Dika", a musical feast of Hindi songs for the enthusiasts. "Shruti", a group of highly talented singers and musicians performed for CRY at University of Washington's Kane Hall auditorium. This Seattle-based music band has come of age since they first performed for CRY three years ago. Their fine nurtured talent has been attracting increasing number of people to "Ina Mina Dika" over these years. And with a crowd of around 600 people, the evening was poised to be nothing less than a pure adrenaline rush.

The evening started with a rendition of "Surmayee akhiyon me". Just enough and just perfect for getting the audience settled and warmed up. This was followed by excellent performances of "Raina beeti jaye", "Banke tera Jogi", "Aao na pyaar", "Yeh mera dil". "Na tum jaano na hum" from movie Kaho na pyaar hai had people humming. One moment "Rang Barse" enthralled the audience by its colorful tunes and in the next, they were taken in the mystic world of Qawwali by "Hum kisi se kum nahi". "Chappa chappa" won the hearts of the crowd and had people dancing in the stalls. It will not be an exaggeration to say that he atmosphere was electric!

CRY helps support projects serving to uplift under-privileged children in India. Last year alone, CRY helped more than 200,000 deprived children get education and other basic necessities of life. All the money raised by CRY through these events goes towards funding such projects. To get this message across, small kids, with help from CRY volunteers, staged a small skit. In a short time, the skit demonstrated the problems faced by street children in India, and how CRY helps them. It also presented to the audience how they could participate in this noble deed. Cheers followed from the crowd for the wonderful performance by the young troupe.

Dinner was an eclectic mix of the Indian cuisine. Everyone enjoyed the delicious food that enlivened their taste buds and rejuvenated their enthusiasm for the remaining evening. Post-dinner session started with a soulful rendering of "Na jiya laage na". This masterful piece was followed by lively mix of songs like "O haseena", "Kisi disco mein jaaye", "Mann ke manjeere", "Choli ke peeche", "You are my Sonia", "Ruk jaa", "Dil chahta hai" "Duniya mein". It was impossible for the crowd to stay in the seats. Entire hall was up on its feet dancing to the lively tunes of "Om Shanti Om" and gyrating to "Aati kya khandala". Such was the enthusiasm that "Shruti" played "Chappa chappa" on a special request by the audience. The entire group of "Shruti" won the hearts of all. It is their par-excellence performance that makes this event a huge success. Every song is fine-tuned to perfection. Kudos to them! CRY volunteers also get full credits for organizing and managing this event smoothly.

It gives a certain satisfaction to know that all this music and merriment eventually is helping a good cause - a good Karma. Joseph Addison quoted aptly, "Music, the greatest good that mortals know..." And to be a part of this perfect evening, nothing could give more pleasure to know that behind this "greatest good" lies a nobler cause.

For more information about CRY projects and future events, please visit www.cryseattle.org

(Printed with permission from author)