Bollywood Nights -- the Indian-theme fundraiser for the charitable Harmony Health Clinic in downtown Little Rock's south end -- was begun in 2009 by Indu Soora "with the help of a handful of my close friends" and raised $20,500.
It was far more than a handful of friends who turned out for the eighth annual incarnation of the event April 16 inside the Wally Allen Ballroom of the Statehouse Convention Center. And the proceeds, according to Soora, went well past the $100,000 mark at last count.
Soora co-chaired the evening along with Dr. Sara Tariq. Guests dined on Indian hors d'oeuvres and later enjoyed a buffet dinner, catered by Taj Mahal and Star of India restaurants.
The program included a film showcasing the work of the clinic, which provides medical care to the poor and uninsured at no cost, and added remarks from Tariq -- "[we] take care of 2,000 people consistently, year-round," said the volunteer physician.
Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola told of the city's longtime support for the clinic. "I cannot thank you enough for what you do," he told Harmony representatives.
Certificates of appreciation to a host of recipients whose efforts had benefited Harmony were given out, including one to dentist Dr. Sam Nickol, who now has a room in the clinic renamed in his honor. Rajesh Chokhani, senior vice president for Welspun Pipes Inc., presented an oversize check that represented a donation of more than $75,000.
Following were several dance performances, including a demonstration of Indian classical dance and a Bollywood dance medley, and a feature that was quite popular at last year's India Fest: a fashion show featuring breathtaking wedding attire representing various states in India.
The evening concluded with guests doing their own fancy footwork -- a brief break dance, in one case -- to Indian dance tunes.
-- Story and photos by Helaine R. Williams
High Profile on 04/24/2016