Sammy Chand Receives Lifetime Excellence in Music Advancement Award

Picture this: the glitz, the glam, and a whole lot of pizzazz! The ANOKHI Emerald Ball was the ultimate mic drop to commemorate 20 years of South Asian arts and entertainment, paying homage to Maha Saraswati, the kick-ass Divine Goddess of music, art, and all things brainy. The red carpet was bursting at the seams with A-list celebs and notable figures, all gathered to honor ANOKHI's monumental milestone. And let's not forget Zee TV and Getty Images, working their camera magic to capture every epic moment of this star-studded spectacle. Talk about a scene that could outshine the sun!

ANOKHI is a renowned media and events company based in Ontario, Canada, with a focus on South Asian culture and lifestyle. ANOKHI has a diverse range of offerings, including digital publications, live events, and awards shows, ANOKHI has become a trusted platform for engaging with and celebrating the vibrant South Asian community in Ontario.

As the evening unfolded, the grand finale reached its climax when the final batch of ANOKHI Emerald Honorees stepped into the spotlight. Dr. Dhalla and the Dhalla Group of Companies' Executive Team took the stage, armed with stunning crystal awards to honor these trailblazers. These exceptional individuals were recognized for smashing barriers and paving the way for other South Asian creatives to thrive over the past two decades. Now that's what we call making waves!

Behold, the magnificent ANOKHI Emerald Award Honorees:

In the realm of music and entertainment, we bow down to:

🎵 Lifetime Excellence in Music Advancement: Sammy Chand

🎵 Excellence in Music Artistry: Rhea Raj

🎵 Excellence in Music Artistry: Raghav

🎵 Excellence in Music Artistry: Rup Magon of Josh The Band

🎵 Excellence in Music Artistry: Deep Jandu

You read that right, Sammy Chand received the ANOKHI Empire Award for Lifetime Excellence In Music Advancement, presented by the Dhalla Group of Companies, at awards gala. Chand himself couldn't contain his excitement, exclaiming:

"A huge shoutout to Anokhi Media and Raj Girn for this mind-blowing recognition—a Lifetime Achievement Award! Raj, you're a beacon of light, illuminating our community and empowering every South Asian soul across the globe. Also, what an honor to attend the ANOKHI EMERALD BALL to recognize the amazing achievements in our South Asian Community over the past 20 years, all while creating awareness for the important initiatives around mental health. Thank you!"

All the thank-you speeches at the ANOKHI Emerald Awards had a common thread: overwhelming gratitude toward Raj Girn and the ANOKHI Team. They were hailed for their unwavering support of South Asian storytelling over the years, especially when it wasn't exactly trendy for a niche media company to have that special South Asian flair. Raj Girn, the visionary behind it all, recognized the power of sharing stories and championing the South Asian community—both near and far—when nobody else gave it a second thought.

So there you have it, folks! The ANOKHI Emerald Ball was a night to remember, filled with laughter, sparkle, and a whole lot of love for the South Asian arts. Here's to another 20 years of breaking barriers, celebrating diversity, and rocking the world with our incredible talents. Stay fab, stay fierce, and keep shining bright like those dazzling emeralds!

Listen to the Michael Franti track with Sammy Chand called Once A Day

The WorldBeat Mix of ONCE A DAY has been a favorite of the SOLD soundtrack.  Released in April 2016, the track is already a Rukus Avenue classic.  The Track features Hip Hop legend Michael Franti and the legendary Spearhead crew with the amazing vocals of Sonna Rele fused with big music sound of Sammy Chand.  

Featuring musicians from the around the Rukus Avenue team, the track was mixed by Jack Atlantis and was produced by Sammy Chand.  Listen to the track and let us know what you think of it!  Download the Sold soundtrack on iTunes!

Rukus Avenue releases the Soundtrack to the film SOLD

Directed by Academy Award Winner Jeffrey D. Brown and Produced by Impact Producer Jane Charles, the film SOLD has garnered the attention of film festivals worldwide.  The film focuses on the tragedies of human trafficking and in this specific case sexual slavery.  Recognized by the United Nations for its efforts to bring awareness to the worldwide cause, the film SOLD has been involved in changing the legal parameters in countries where laws were not strong enough. 

Executive Producer Emma Thompson is behind the film and stars Gillian Anderson, David Arquette, Sushmita Mukherjee, Priyanka Bose, Tilatoma Shome, Niyar Saikia, and more.   The soundtrack has Rukus Avenue's own Sammy Chand behind it.  As music supervisor for the film, he collaborates with maestro John McDowell on the score.  John's powerful work of articulating lead character Laxmi's emotional plight has been a carrying force throughout the score of the film.

The soundtrack features the music of John McDowell, Sammy Chand, Michael Franti, acclaimed bollywood composers Salim & Sulaiman, Tajdar Junaid, Cappadonna, Sunidhi Chauhan, Midival Punditz, and David Starfire.  The soundtrack is now available worldwide on Rukus Avenue.  Download the album now and support the important cause behind the film.