‘Circle of Life’ concert at Bangalore International Centre raises support for underprivileged children

A highlight of the event was a performance by internationally reputed artists Ambi and Bindu Subramaniam and their students, opening with two compositions by their father and veteran violinist L Subramaniam, as well as a piece from the 2017 musical ‘The Greatest Showman’.

The youngsters of the Bangalore Chorus, directed by Dr Maya Mascarenhas also performed, with numbers such as Queen’s famous Somebody To Love. They also concluded the concert with a rendition of the ‘Circle of Life’ from the Disney movie the Lion King.

The foundation itself is run by the late Rishi’s brother Roshan and his parents, Dr Anita Shet and Dr Arun Shet, who are currently Director of Child Health at the International Vaccine Access Centre and a senior physician at the National Institute of Health in Maryland, USA.

According to Rishi’s parents, he had learned to play the violin in the Carnatic and western styles in Bangalore and at John Hopkins in the USA, respectively. His father said, “The (concert) began as a memorial to Rishi in 2022, but has since evolved into an event that showcases the talent of children and youth supported by the Rishi Foundation, and how they can make a difference in their own lives and the lives of others.”

Asked about the objectives of the concert, he stated, “They display that they can live a normal life, excel in academics, music and dance and contribute meaningfully to society….if we can convince society that these children and youth are the same as their non-infected peers…..we would have achieved much.”

They also noted in a statement that the initial focus had been on a programme to benefit HIV-affected orphans and youth, noting that children who lost parents from HIV suffered parental loss as well as the stigma of a chronic illness. Dr Anita Shet had also worked with children born with HIV during a decade-long stint at Bangalore’s St Johns Hospital.