Working in anti-trafficking for over 20 years, the team at the NGO Oasis India, changes the lives of many women and kids. Using performing arts like arts, music and thought, the organisation plans to provide a socially engaging platform and provoke discussions which will in turn benefit the under privileged. The second edition of the Merge festival from the NGO, which is being held in the city currently, has a theatre play and a mime. The panel discussion will have guests like TV fame James Vasanthan, music director Sam Daniel, journalist Yaseva and many more popular names. The highlight is the concert by Christian musician Graham Kendrick.
Talking about his performance in Chennai, Kendrick shares, “This is the third time I’m performing the city. Singing for a cause that improves the lives of people is a privilege. One of my passions is to encourage people to write their own songs. I think that songwriting, particularly in the world of faith, has been somewhat dominated by the west. And as I go around I always encourage people to write their own songs and to capture what is in their heart.” Mathew Nathaniel, the city co-ordinator of Oasis India shares, “All the proceeds will go to Oasis India’s work at the grassroot level towards community development and prevention of human trafficking. Each one of us has the potential to be a light and be the change in someone’s life.”
