September 13, 2025

A magical night unfolded at Chennai’s Museum Theatre with the premiere of “Enchantment,” a captivating bio-play celebrating the legendary Pandit Ravi Shankar. But this wasn’t just any show — it was a powerful fundraiser for REACH, a Chennai-based non-profit fighting tuberculosis (TB) and other health challenges. The highlight? Actress and filmmaker Suhasini Maniratnam stood before the crowd to share her very personal TB story. “I know first-hand what tuberculosis does to a person’s physical and mental health. I have had TB twice – at the age of five and again at 37,” she revealed honestly. Suhasini emphasized how lucky she was to have a supportive family for proper treatment. “Not everyone is as fortunate. The work REACH is doing to support families impacted by TB and combat the stigma around it is so important, and I’m proud to be part of this cause,” she said, touching every heart in the room. Nalini Krishnan, Co-founder and Executive Secretary of REACH, stepped up to remind everyone of the grave reality. Despite India’s progress in fighting TB, "TB continues to claim thousands of lives daily,” she said soberly. Funds raised from this spectacular evening will boost REACH’s 30 'Nakshatra Centres' across Chennai. These centres are golden hubs, offering high-quality and person-focused treatment, especially to those battling TB privately. They also work hard to break the nasty stigma that surrounds this disease. The play was a treat for eyes and ears, crafted by the brilliant playwright and singer Gowri Ramnarayan. The talented cast, including Yohan Chacko, Aarabi Veeraraghavan, and Vidhya Subramanian, brought the story alive. Dance performances by the skilled Renjith and Vijna added sparkle, while enchanting music by Bombay Jayashri, Aditya Prakash, Vignesh Ishwar, and Chaitrra Sairam elevated emotions. The mesmerizing lighting by Sneha Sheejith painted perfect moods throughout the show. The event glowed with support from AMARA Homes, Sundaram Finance, and Dodla Dairy, making it a memorable evening for art and humanity alike. In a blend of culture and compassion, “Enchantment” shone not just as a tribute to a musical genius but as a powerful call to fight TB with courage and care.

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Tags: Tuberculosis, Reach, Suhasini maniratnam, Enchantment play, Pandit ravi shankar, Public health,