Rasika, a musical band of BITS Pilani alumni and music enthusiasts based in Northern Virginia, performed a charity concert titled “100 Years of Bollywood” on November 15, 2025, at Parkview High School in Sterling, Virginia. The event supported Mahila Adhyayan Kendra (MAK), a non-profit organization that works to support underprivileged women and children in India. 

MAK was founded in 1965 by Susheela Lagate with the goal of educating women and children from underserved families. Her daughter, Nandini Chiplunkar, now leads the organization and currently supports more than three hundred and fifty children across several schools near Dewas in Madhya Pradesh. The group’s core belief remains unchanged: “Education is not a privilege; it is a Right.”  

The organization provides infrastructure, education, vocational support, and health programs to empower students. Its initiatives include Mother Daughter Health Check-ups, Science and Computer Labs, Train the Trainer programs, Women Safety efforts, and Student Exchange Programs. 

Event coordinator and emcee Arthi Srinivasan thanked attendees for their support. “I am so proud of each one of you for making time and being here. You know the cause, and I appreciate each one of you supporting and encouraging us to do more good work,” she said.

The evening opened with a performance by young musicians from Ashburn’s Band Etherea trained by Notes N’ Beats Music Academy. The ensemble, which performs Indian classical, Bollywood, Western, and fusion music, presented a few songs as a curtain raiser. Srinivasan described them as “rockstars” adding they are first-generation Indian American middle and high school students. 

“What a terrific evening. Unbelievable showmanship, terrific music and a heartfelt cause to support. Could you think of anything better to do on a Saturday evening,” Srinivasan told South Asian Herald. She added that she had the “tremendous fortune” of working with dedicated contributors in both Rasika and MAK, describing the band as “very talented musicians and simply gifted singers.” 

“We plan to continue this journey by partnering RASIKA with other non-profits with a dear cause. Please come join us, support, and give back to our wonderful community,” she said.

Lead singer Probodh Chiplunkar, who traveled from Richmond with his wife Simran and daughters Vidhi and Sunidhi, said their family has long supported humanitarian efforts through MAK, founded by his grandmother Lagate.

“We’ve been connected with the cause of doing good work for organizations that are doing humanitarian work. MAK is one such cause,” Chiplunkar said. “For last 60 years, MAK has been helping underprivileged children in a small village called Dewas in Madhya Pradesh.”

His wife Simran chimed in, “MAK has been a part of me now, and it’s very deeply engraved in me,” expressing gratitude to her husband’s grandmother, mother and sister. She noted their commitment to MAK inspired her involvement, adding “We would not have been here if MAK wasn’t there.”

Chiplunkar told the audience that the concert would showcase “100 years’ worth” of melodies, noting that while not every genre could be included, the evening would highlight the remarkable versatility of its performers. His wife Simran and daughters also joined him onstage – with older daughter Vidhi playing the saxophone and younger daughter Sunidhi lending her voice to melodies.

Chiplunkar opened the musical segment with “An Evening in Paris,” followed by renditions of Kishore Kumar classics including “Main Hoon Jhoom Jhoom Jhumroo” and “Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhaagi Si,” complete with props to evoke the black-and-white era. Additional selections included Ghunjuna Rahen Bhavre, Oh Hamsini, Abhi Mujh Me Kahin, Tujhse Naraaz Nahin Zindagi, and Aane Wala Kal Janne Wala Hain.

Band lead Sundu Venkataramani explained that Rasika has performed charity concerts for the Organization to Provide Education (OPEN) in the DC area for many years. Rasika’s association with MAK dates back to 2001 and includes numerous performances in Richmond. “Since MAK is run by the family of our own band member, Probodh Chiplunkar, we have complete confidence that every contribution will directly support the children who need it most,” he told South Asian Herald.

The concert was Rasika’s first Bollywood-focused fundraiser in the DC area. “While some of our past Tamil concerts have been sold out with more than 750 people in attendance each time, we expected a much lower turn out for this concert since it was the first time we were performing in Hindi. It was very heartwarming to see about 600 people in the auditorium cheering us,” Venkataramani said.

He added that a pair of Tamil songs were included as a tribute to band member Vaidi Sampathkumar, a BITS Pilani classmate, who passed away in August 2025 after battling pancreatic cancer. Sampathkumar, celebrated for his renditions of complex S. P. Balasubramanyam songs, had performed with Rasika for more than three decades.

As a tribute, Rasika’s Raghu Sundararaman performed “Mandram Vandha Thendralukku,” “Ilamaiyenum Poongaatru,” and SPB’s Hindi classic “Sach Mere Yaar Hai” from Saagar. 

Introducing his set, Sundararaman explained about his two songs: one celebrating “friendship” and the other reflecting on “love.” 

Sundararaman added, “In my perspective, charity events such as MAK keeps me firmly grounded as an individual. It makes me think how lucky my family is. Using music as a tool to impact the lives of people positively brings utmost satisfaction.”

“Raghu’s tribute moved several close friends and bandmates to tears,” added Venkataramani. 

The concert also highlighted the talent of several local DMV artists. Performances included “Bada Bheeti Jaye” by Harini Sugantharaman, “Eh Mera Dil” by Shriya Iyer, and the Bappi Lahiri classic “Inteha Ho Gayi Intezaar Ki” by Meghna Das. Srini Raghavan and Helen Simha Navin also performed “Ae Mere Humsafar.”

Northern Virginia residents Kishore Singh and his wife Subashini Singh, who sponsor a MAK child, told South Asian Herald, “MAK’s mission to provide quality education for underprivileged children in rural areas is truly commendable. It was a pleasure to support MAK by sponsoring a child and volunteer to make the Sterling concert a successful one.” Singh added that Rasika is the “best live band in town” and continues to raise the bar each year.

Notable guests at the event include Virginia Delegate JJ Singh and Judge Rupen Shah of the Virginia 25th Judicial District. President and CEO of Plateau GRP, Vishwenath Kizhapandal, a BITS Pilani alumnus and noted philanthropist, supported the event as a corporate sponsor, along with Sundar Vaidyanathan, co-founder and CEO of Karsun Solutions. Capital One also served as a corporate sponsor, continuing its tradition of supporting Rasika and MAK during past concerts in Richmond.

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