- By Mabel Pais
In preparation for the uplifting Festival of Diwali, Asia Society New York in partnership with Anu Sehgal’s The Culture Tree, welcomes an immersive evening of love, light, music, and community featuring Grammy Award-winning artist Chandrika Tandon. Opening remarks will be made by New York City Council Member, the Hon. Shekar Krishnan. This will take place on Wednesday, October 7, 2026 at the Asia Society New York (725 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10021).
The evening will blend live music, chanting, conversation, and spiritual reflection to create a deeply meaningful experience. Designed to help participants recenter, reconnect, and renew, the program will move from personal reflection to shared inspiration, culminating in a warm meet-and-greet that celebrates community and connection. Together, we will embrace the spirit of Diwali by cultivating inner light, hope, gratitude, and a renewed sense of purpose in a welcoming space of joy, positivity, and belonging.
Event Details
WHAT: LOVE, LIGHT, LAUGHTER with CHANDRIKA TANDON
WHEN: 7 October, 2026 – 6:30-8 PM
WHERE: In-person, Asia Society, 725 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10021
Discussion 6:30PM-7:30PM
Meet and Greet 7:30PM-8:00PM
Keynote Remarks
The Honorable Shekar Krishnan is the NYC Council Member for District 25, Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, and Woodside, Queens, some of the most diverse immigrant communities in the world. He is the first Indian-American ever elected to the City Council in NYC history and the Chair of the Council’s Committee on Oversight and Investigations, holding accountable anyone and anything that takes advantage of New Yorkers.
In his previous term, Council Member Krishnan served as the Chair of the Council’s Committee On Parks and Recreation, negotiating the highest budget ever for NYC Parks. In the Council, he has championed workers’ rights by passing legislation to decriminalize street vending and successfully leading the largest and strongest worker protection bill for Uber and Lyft drivers in the nation.
Before his election to the City Council, Shekar was a long-time community activist in Jackson Heights and Elmhurst and a civil rights lawyer fighting housing discrimination.
Speakers
Chandrika Tandon
Chandrika Tandon is a globally recognized business leader, Grammy-winning artist, and humanitarian. She is a former partner at McKinsey & Company before founding Tandon Capital Associates and the Krishnamurthy Tandon Foundation. She serves as a Trustee of New York University, and is on the board of NYU Tandon School of Engineering and NYU Langone. She is the founder of the Krishnamurthy Tandon School of Artificial Intelligence at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, and the Boyd-Tandon School of Business at Madras Christian College.
A recipient of honors including the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and recognition from the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, she has released seven albums, performed globally, and received two Grammy nominations and a win for her pioneering musical work. Her life’s work reflects a commitment to elevating human happiness through music, education and economic and emotional empowerment.
Anu Sehgal
Anu Sehgal is an award-winning children’s author, Founder and CEO of The Culture Tree, and proud mother of two teen boys. She holds an MBA from Yale University and spent nearly 15 years in the corporate sector before following her passion for cultural education. Through The Culture Tree, Anu has been recognized for her groundbreaking work in elevating South Asian cultures across America, particularly in New York. She is the author of eight children’s books that celebrate identity, heritage, and storytelling, which have been showcased at prestigious platforms including the New York Public Library’s World Literature Festival, the Jaipur Literature Festival, and many others.
The Culture Tree
The Culture Tree creates inclusive platforms that amplify South Asian voices through cultural programs, education, language classes and community gatherings. It spotlights critical conversations and celebrations — festivals, women’s health, food, identity and representation — to nurture a stronger, prouder, and more visible South Asian community in America.
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PLAY: “CRAZY MAMA” ON LOVE AND RESILIENCE COMES TO NYC
- By Mabel Pais
“Crazy Mama: A True Story of Love and Madness” by Sharon Scott Williams, a powerful play about love and resilience, directed by Anson Williams and starring Linda Purl will present the Off-Broadway premiere at the Rubicon Theatre Company (Karyl Lynn Burns and Jonathan Drahos, Producing Artistic Directors) at 59E59 Theaters (59 East 59th Street between Madison & Park Avenues). Performances begin on September 16, 2026 and continue until October 18, 2026. Opening night is September 22, 2026. For schedule, see below.
Linda Purl plays 16 different characters – and Will Huse as The Blues Man. Laced with humor and pathos, “Crazy Mama” is a testament to the steely resilience of the human heart and the enduring nature of hope. Sharon races home from school a couple days after her 8th birthday to beat her teenaged brother Spikey to the last slice of birthday cake. When she enters the kitchen, she finds her mother wielding a knife. As the Sheriff escorts her mother away, the deputy tells Sharon that her mama is “not right in the head.” “Crazy Mama” is a one-woman tour-de-force about a woman’s decades-long dream of saving her mother from the soul-crushing grip of mental illness.
“Brilliant. The writing is so authentic and alive, full of color and idiom and wise turns of phrase. On top of that, the playwright has created all these incredible characters that come out of the mouth of one actor… Riveting!” – The Wrap
Creative Team
The creative team is Brian Gale (lighting and projections design) and Lindsay Jones (sound design). The production stage manager is Alexandrea Hess Rodriguez. Associate Producer is Stephanie Coltrin.
According to the playwright, Sharon Scott Williams, “Mental illness affects one in four people, but all-too-often individuals and families don’t speak of their experience and hide their pain. I was lucky,’ says Williams. ‘I had my family to help me through it, but there were times we were afraid to talk about it. ””Crazy Mama” is a story that helps lift that stigma.”
Performance Schedule
“Crazy Mama” will play the following performance schedule:
Tuesday-Friday @ 7:30pm, Saturday @ 2:30pm & 7:30pm, Sunday @ 2:30pm.
The show runs 2 hours and 5 minutes (including intermission).
Tickets & More Information
For tickets to see the play, visit the website @ https://59e59.org/shows/show-detail/crazy-mama-a-true-story-of-love-and-madness/#schedule-and-tickets or the theater box office, 12 noon – 6 pm or call 646 892 7999. For more information, visit https://59e59.org
The World Premiere of “Crazy Mama: A True Story of Love and Madness” was originally produced at Rubicon Theatre Company in Ventura, California March 26 – April 13, 2025.
Bios & Theaters
Linda Purl (Performer)
Learn more @instagram.com/lindapurl and @x.com/lindapurl
Will Huse (The Blues Man)
Learn more @instagram.com/thewillhuse
Sharon Scott Williams (Playwright)
Learn more at @instagram.com/sharonscottwilliams
Anson Williams (Director)
Learn more @x.com/Ansonw4real and @facebook.com/anson.williams.9
Rubicon Theatre Company
Learn more at https://rubicontheatre.org
59E59 Theatres
Learn more at https://59e59.org
Mabel Pais writes on Social Issues, Health and Wellness, Spirituality, The Arts and Entertainment, Education, Business, and Cuisine.
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