University students and community members joined together last night to celebrate life and the memory of LSA senior Arati Sharangpani.
About 200 students, family and friends attended the memorial benefit, which intended to raise money for a fund bearing Sharangpani's name.
"Raising money is an underlying purpose but not the main goal," said Harprit Bedi, one of the show's organizers."The main goal is to do as much as you can and to feel a little better about what's happened."
Acts included traditional Indian dancing, a dance performed by the Mary Markley residence hall staff, singing by the a cappella group 58 Greene, a date auction and a game show.
LSA senior Ashish Goyal, co-host of the event, said he was pleased with the show's large turnout.
"People put in so much time and effort tonight," Goyal said. "I am very happy with tonight's event. I was really impressed with all the acts."
The event raised more than $3,000 for the scholarship fund in Sharangpani's memory. The rest of the money is expected to be donated to the groups in which Sharangpani was involved.
LSA senior and Markley resident adviser, Maria Alejandera said being an RA was an important part of Sharangpani's life.
"Part of the Markley staff decided to get together and do something," Alejandera said. "We wanted to convey part of her life to the audience."
Alejandera said their dance poked fun and exaggerated an RA's experiences.
"We are doing a little dance that mocks the ups and downs of an RA's job in a good-hearted way," Alejandera said.
LSA sophomore Ajay Malhotra said that after the recent tragedy, it is time to "celebrate life."
"I walked away feeling better," Malhotra said.
University alum Sangeeta Naik, another of the event's co-hosts, said the main goal for the benefit was to promote unity.
"Basically the goal was to pull together and celebrate life, which is something people don't normally do," Naik said. "We pulled together a bunch of upbeat performances."
University alumnus Deepak Malhotra said he was inspired by the benefit.
"I think it was a very positive experience for everyone here - very uplifting," Malhotra said.
LSA senior Rakesh Patel said the benefit had a positive effect on him.
"I felt a sense of unity among friends," Patel said.
Those wishing to make donations can send checks to Ashish Goyal, 1330 North University Court, Apartment 1, Ann Arbor, 48104.
JOHN KRAFT/Daily
Friends of LSA senior Arati Sharangpani, who was killed last month in the Comair plane crash, perform a traditional Indian dance to celebrate her memory.