On February 29th, Save the Child Foundation celebrated an extraordinary milestone as Kranti scholar Mahek Das made history by becoming the first girl from a red-light district to join a Broadway show in New York. Mahek's journey from a marginalized community to the prestigious Broadway stage is a testament to her incredible talent, determination, and the support of initiatives that empower young women through education and the arts.
Mahek's Journey: Background:
Mahek grew up in Kamathipura, Mumbai's largest red-light district, facing a challenging environment with limited opportunities. Born to a sex worker, Mahek lost her mother to HIV and Tuberculosis at the age of ten. She and her elder sister fled their abusive home and found refuge in Kranti, a non-governmental organization dedicated to empowering girls from India's red-light areas.
Empowerment through Education:
At Kranti, Mahek received education and training in the arts, excelling academically and discovering her passion for theatre. With the support of Kranti and Save the Child Foundation, she attended the prestigious Wynberg Allen School in Mussoorie. Her participation in the play 'Laal Batti Express,' which addressed sexual abuse, solidified her desire to pursue theatre as a career. Achievement:
Mahek's is a Save the Child Foundation scholar where the organization sponsored her to study theatre at Salve Regina University in Rhode Island. During her studies, she participated in the musical 'Children of Eden' as part of the Broadway series by Manhattan Concert Productions. Mahek performed at the David Geffen Hall in the Lincoln Center Theatre, sharing the stage with renowned artists such as Norm Lewis, Nikki Renee Daniels, Auli'i Cravalho, and Jordan Fisher.
Celebration:
We are incredibly proud of Mahek and her accomplishments. Her success serves as an inspiration to countless others, demonstrating the transformative power of education and opportunity. Mahek's journey from the bylanes of Kamathipura to the renowned Broadway stage highlights the impact of supportive initiatives like Kranti and Save the Child Foundation.
Mahek's Reflection:
In an interview with The Free Press Journal, Mahek shared, “I loved the opportunity to be at Broadway. Coming from a survivor’s family, it feels strong to be there but I still miss performing with my Kranti girls. If in future I have to choose from performing on Broadway and performing for a marginalized community, I will definitely choose the latter.”
Mahek's story is a powerful reminder that with determination, talent, and the right support, dreams can become reality. We are honored to have been a part of her journey and look forward to witnessing her continued success and impact.
Comments