Page 32 - The Indian EYE 103026

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline OCTOBER 30, 2026 | The Indian Eye 32

Grammy Award-Winning Chandrika Tandon

Inspires an Evening of Love, Light and

Laughter at Asia Society

Presented with The Culture Tree, the special Diwali-season gathering featured New York

City Council Member Shekar Krishnan, an intimate conversation with Anu Sehgal, and a

celebration of music, purpose and community.

OUR BUREAU Tree and its tenth anniversary made themes was the search for purpose ner light, gratitude, compassion, and
the occasion particularly meaning- and the importance of living beyond connection.
New York, NY
ful, acknowledging the organization’s oneself. The program concluded with a
n October 7, Asia Society wel- decade-long commitment to creating Sehgal brought a deeply personal meet-and-greet, allowing guests to
comed Grammy Award-win- inclusive spaces for South Asian cul- perspective to the conversation, re- connect with Tandon and continue the
Oning musician, entrepreneur, ture, storytelling, and community en- flecting on how a major health crisis conversations inspired by the evening.
and philanthropist Chandrika Tandon gagement. several years earlier prompted her to The event also held special sig-
for Love, Light, Laughter: An Eve- The centerpiece of the evening act on a sense of purpose she had long nificance for The Culture Tree as the
ning with Chandrika Tandon, an up- was an intimate conversation between recognized. organization celebrates its tenth an-
lifting gathering that brought together Tandon and Anu Sehgal, Founder and The discussion invited the audi- niversary in 2026. Founded by Anu
music, personal reflection, spirituality, CEO of The Culture Tree, exploring ence to consider a universal question: Sehgal, The Culture Tree has spent
and meaningful conversation ahead the intersection of music, identity, pur- How do we discover our purpose, and, the past decade building platforms
of Diwali. pose, and personal transformation. more importantly, how do we put it that celebrate South Asian heritage
The evening, presented in collab- Sehgal began by examining Tan- into practice? through education, storytelling, per-
oration with The Culture Tree, invit- don’s remarkable relationship with This theme resonated through- forming arts, literature, and commu-
ed guests to reflect on the power of music, drawing on the artist’s belief out the program, connecting Tandon’s nity programming.
music, the importance of finding pur- that music is not simply something she journey from the corporate world to Love, Light, Laughter reflected
pose, and the connections that bring does, but an essential part of who she music and philanthropy with Sehgal’s that mission by bringing together cul-
people together across cultures and is. Their conversation explored how own transition from a corporate ca- tural expression, personal storytelling,
generations. music can shape identity, transcend reer to founding The Culture Tree. and meaningful dialogue in a shared
The program began with an in- language, and create connections Music was woven throughout the community experience.
troduction by Farwa Ahmad, setting among people from different back- evening, with Sanskrit chanting and About The Culture Tree
the stage for an evening centered on grounds. moments of shared reflection cre- Founded by Anu Sehgal, The Cul-
cultural celebration, community, and The discussion also touched on ating an atmosphere of connection ture Tree is a New York-based cultural
the transformative power of the arts. Tandon’s Grammy Award-winning and calm. The communal chanting organization dedicated to promoting
New York City Council Member album Triveni, which won Best New offered a particularly memorable ex- South Asian heritage through educa-
Shekar Krishnan delivered the open- Age, Ambient, or Chant Album at perience, bringing the audience to- tional programs, cultural celebrations,
ing keynote, helping set the intention the 2025 Grammy Awards. Sehgal ex- gether through the universal language performing arts, literature, and com-
for the upcoming Diwali season. His plored how an artist approaches the of music. munity experiences. Celebrating its
address emphasized the importance next stage of a creative journey after As Diwali approached, the eve- tenth anniversary in 2026, the organi-
of community, cultural identity, and such a significant milestone, and what ning offered a timely reminder that zation works to create inclusive spaces
celebrating the traditions that enrich new possibilities continue to inspire the festival’s celebration of light ex- where South Asian stories and tradi-
New York City’s diverse communities. Tandon. tends beyond lamps and festivities. It tions can be shared, understood, and
His recognition of The Culture One of the evening’s central is also an opportunity to cultivate in- celebrated across generations.

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