Bollywood singer performs at Kinepolis for charity
“If you help one person, you help the world”
The Indian organization One World, One Family contributes worldwide to supporting vulnerable individuals.
Their efforts in providing free meals, education, and healthcare naturally require donations.
One way to raise funds is through a Bollywood performance at Kinepolis.
Margot De Clercq GVA
February 23, 2025, at 10:33 AM
In Kinepolis auditorium number four, it feels as if you are stepping into a piece of India. Everyone is dressed in traditional, flowing garments, and the enchanting instruments of the seven musicians on stage transport you into the story. Bollywood singer Sumeet Tappoo sits cross-legged at the front, accompanied by percussionists, a pianist, a guitarist, and a flutist. Sumeet himself plays the harmonium. For the Antwerp Indian community, which fills most of the hall, Sumeet is a familiar face.
Bhuvana Santhanam is responsible for the international collaborations of the One World, One Family. © Patrick De Roo
“Sumeet has been performing since he was eight years old,” emphasizes Bhuvana Santhanam. “And ever since he was eight, he has always performed for charitable causes.”
That is no different in Kinepolis. Sumeet is touring Europe and the United Kingdom for the One World, One Family organization.
Bhuvana Santhanam leads the international collaborations of this initiative.
Community
One World, One Family was founded by Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai and extends across 80 countries worldwide. The organization has three main pillars: providing food to schoolchildren, offering education, and ensuring healthcare for vulnerable and underprivileged individuals—all completely free of charge.
One set of clothes is all you need to start your education in our schools. Explains Bhuvana Santhanam. How is everything free? Thanks to the government, institutions, and society"
"We primarily teach children values and ethics."
If, against all odds, they manage to graduate as doctors, they will be grateful and will, in turn, ensure that another child gets the same opportunity.
The Cause
The proceeds from Sumeet Tappoo’s performance go entirely to the charity. He also welcomes the ambassadors of India and Sri Lanka as guests of honor.© Patrick De Roo
A community that shares everything, a heart for everyone—that is the message of the organization. “We often only think about our friends and family. But if, for example, you are having breakfast, take an extra portion with you when you leave the house. If you have eaten, make sure someone else gets food too. If everyone helps just one person, we will help the world move forward.”
One World, One Family has also built a hospital in Fiji. “Children with heart conditions were simply dying. Such surgeries are already extremely expensive, and on top of that, parents had to afford a trip to Australia or New Zealand. Hundreds of children have already been saved by the new hospital.”
Guests
The event at Kinepolis welcomes the ambassadors of India and Sri Lanka as guests of honor. The Antwerp Indian community is well represented, and members of Sai Anandam Netherlands also played a key role in coordinating and presenting the evening.
"We never send anyone home empty-handed", Bhuvana Santhanam emphasizes. "That is a fundamental rule of our culture". That is why a generous buffet is provided after the musical performance.
Marina De Koning organized the evening and reached out to all key figures.© Patrick De Roo