Following on from last year’s success, The Elgiva is delighted to be welcoming Amerindis back to The Elgiva for its second Dhun event, which promises to be a spectacular evening showcasing the talents of local and international Indian music artists.
Saturday’s programme includes a Kathak dance performance by renowned artist Priya Kushwaha, a Jugalbandi duet featuring the rhythmic interplay of Tabla maestro Jnanesh Kamath and Santoor virtuoso Sreerag Hari and culminates in a grand Bollywood musical with a live orchestra and a star-studded line-up of vocalists, including Ashwini Kane, Rajan Shegunshi, Mandar Sane, Manas Mallick and Pearl Chowksi.
Amerindis is a voluntary organisation formed to promote Indian arts, culture, music and heritage for the social and economic development of the local community, while also fostering a sense of unity and cultural understanding within the UK’s diverse landscape. Firmly embedded in that community, Amerindis organises events celebrating occasions such as New Year and Diwali, but also helps with litter picks, blood donation sessions and other council initiatives. A not-for-profit organisation, Amerindis aims to contribute to society in a meaningful way, working for the greater good.
Jai Vardhan Hada, who has been part of Amerindis for several years, supports its cultural committee. Hada is a busy man, working as a healthcare practitioner in the NHS and owning Little Chalfont’s popular Indian cuisine restaurant Kokum, but he found some time to sit down with us and tell us more about Amerindis and its upcoming Dhun – A Night To Remember.
Hada explains that Amerindis, which is a very active organisation with over 600 families connected from in and around Amersham, is all about preserving and promoting cultural and social values.
“We support neighbourliness and unity, leading to social activism and societal transformation – this helps in building a cohesive and united community. Our focus has been to work our way towards better physical, mental health and wellbeing of the community, thereby building resilience and promoting wellbeing.”
Hada adds that a central value for Amerinidis is the nurturing of educational and entrepreneurial values of young people and adults for their personal development and the community’s wider social and economic development.
Ensuring Amerindis is embedded in the wider community is key to the way the organisation functions. Hada explains that over the years, Amerindis integrated very well with the wider community, actively involving community members in the planning, decision-making and implementation processes of the organisation’s various activities.
“We do this by holding regular community meetings, having focus groups to gather input, and scheduling targeted sessions composed of community representatives,” he says.
Social connection and bonding amongst the members of the community are also integral parts of Amerindis’s core values.
“Hosting musical events such as Dhun – A Night To Remember brings community members together in a social and supportive environment,” Hada explains. “At the same time, reliving memories of Indian music is incredibly nostalgic and provides the opportunity to relive some beautiful memories of one’s childhood.
Saturday’s Dhun event is set to be, says Hada, a stand out, unique event, open to everyone and for people from all walks of life.
“We’ll be bringing together local artists on stage for a memorable performance,” he says. “This event is open for everyone and for people from every walk of life. We would love to reach out to local Indians and non-Indians as well to come and enjoy vibrant melodies, rhythmic beats, and soulful lyrics. Let the sounds of Tabla, Santoor, and Bollywood music transport you to a realm of cultural richness and musical brilliance!”
Every day’s a school day, and those fortunate to experience Dhun find it as educational as it is celebrational. “It’s such an entertainment evening, celebrating Indian music showcasing a multitude of talent with various musical instruments,” explains Hada. “There are many traditional musical instruments used in Indian classical music, including Tabla, Flute, &c. Demonstrating them in front of large gatherings helps to inspire them towards understanding the nature, depth of these instruments and therefore adds an educational flavour to such events. We Indians love music – playing it, hearing it, sharing it – and that is why we conceptualised Dhun.”
Hada’s passion for his heritage – and the way it has reached into other cultures – shines out.
“Indian culture is truly global and has changed its fabric over the last decade or so,” he explains. “Today the culture is loved and cherished by people from all backgrounds, ethnicities, &c. Be it the festival of colours, Holi, or delicious food and fireworks during Diwali, these are now celebrated by many, and Amerindis is committed to promoting Indian culture in a multicultural and diverse society like our own Amersham and surrounding areas.”
Additionally, Hada emphasises that inclusivity and cultural exchange are integral to Amerindis’s mission, fostering a sense of unity among all community members, and that although Amerindis’s member base is predominantly of Indian origin or have parents with Indian roots, the community itself is very diverse.
“All our events are open to the public,” he says. “Our flagship Garba event is underpinned by a dancing session, and it gained a lot of popularity and interest amongst our western friends. It is indeed a real pleasure to witness how these community events are gaining a lot more popularity and being appreciated by the western community.”
