Umasrija Sarkar knows firsthand how music and art can bring people together.
“Ever since I was little growing up, I’ve always loved just giving back to people. Our family was really big on that,” Sarkar said.
Sarkar, a junior at Belmont High School, is organizing “Rhythm and Strings,” a benefit concert to support the Watertown Food Pantry and Belmont Helps. The performances range from a viola ensemble — which Sarkar will be a part of — to an Indian dance.
Growing up, Sarkar was encouraged by her family to donate her clothes to those in need, whether it was local or to organizations in India. She also cut and donated her hair to patients with cancer. Giving back was a part of her life, she said.
“I thought when I came to the age where I could be taken seriously and organize these things, it’d be really fun to put together something of my own,” Sarkar said.
Sarkar and her brother are both musicians, and she is also a classical Indian dancer. Belmont and Watertown have been home to her family’s performances across art forms. When searching for inspiration in how to put her own spin on a fundraiser, she felt pulled toward her love for art and the places that provided a place for her to foster it. Her teachers, some of whom will be performing, all live locally, she added.
“I want to have music teachers get recognition and also connect them with each other because they’re the reason that kids grow up in these towns and learn music,” Sarkar said.
Giving back to both communities and combatting food insecurity was a daunting goal, Sarkar admitted, but added that she hopes “Rhythm and Strings” will inspire more young people to get involved to help people in need.
“I think it’s everyone’s duty to just give back,” Sarkar said. “I’m an upperclassman now, so I can inspire people who are younger than me to just go out there and help people out. This was out of my comfort zone…I’ve never done anything like this.”
“Rhythm and Strings” will take place Oct. 4 at 2 p.m. at the Watertown Free Library. Admission is free.