Lalgudi siblings do live performances online to raise funds for the needy

CHENNAI: Ever since the lockdown, violinists and siblings

Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi

and

Lalgudi G J R Krishnan

have been wondering how to lend a helping hand to people who are most affected by it. And now, the duo is using their passion -- music -- to raise funds to support women in the slums of north Chennai. On Sunday, both of them went live on Instagram and on Monday, at 5pm,

Lalgudi

Vijayalakshmi went live on her Facebook page to do a solo performance and request fans to donate to their campaign on the crowdfunding site, Milaap.

“There is so much happening around us and so many people needing help that my brother, and I thought we will do a fundraiser,” says Vijayalakshmi. They tied up with Arunodhaya Centre for Street and Working Children, a child rights organization, to identify people who are in need of help.

“We helped them identify 25 women from the slums of North Chennai. They are all single women with children, most of whom work as casual labourers. Now they are not able to earn a living and need money to support their families,” says Virgil D’Sami, executive director of Arunodhaya. “The money will be given to the women and we will following up with them also.”

Vijayalakshmi and her brother are hoping to raise Rs 1,25,000, so that each family gets Rs 5,000. “The woman is the breadwinner in each family and we felt it was important to support them so that they can stay indoors and keep themselves and their families safe,” she says, adding that 100% of the money raised will go towards supporting these families so that they are not deprived of basic necessities.

“After we went live on Instagram on Sunday, we managed to raise Rs 47,000,” says Vijayalakshmi, adding that the link to the crowdfunding campaign on her social media handles. “We will keep doing these performances online till we meet the target. People can check my FB page and Instagram handle to know the time and date of the next performance.”

Vijayalakshmi says she feels blessed to be a musician and to be able to connect with the world and share her music. "I am thankful that technology makes it possible for all of us to stay connected in when in self isolation," she says.