Help Sheetal and Sattva (Tamas) After the Eaton Fire

The Devastating Loss

One of my best friends of 20 years, Sheetal, her husband Sattva (Tamas), and their two young children, Ruhi (almost 3) and Jahan (17 months), just lost their home to the devastating Eaton Fire in Los Angeles. In the terrifying early hours of January 8, 2025, they were forced to evacuate in the dead of night, surrounded by gale-force winds, flying embers, whipping branches, and ash in the air. Although they made it out safely, everything they had worked for, cherished, and built together was destroyed in an instant.

A Family Who Has Always Given

I’ve known Sheetal for 20 years — we were dance partners in Bombay Dreams on Broadway and have been inseparable ever since. Sheetal and Sattva are two of the most generous, kind-hearted people you’ll ever meet. Their home was not just a sanctuary for their family, but a place of gathering, love, and healing for their community. It was where she taught Pilates and where so many others found a safe space for growth, connection, and well-being. It was a home that radiated warmth, compassion, and a deep commitment to bringing people together.

Sheetal is also a multi-disciplinary artist — a choreographer, vocalist, actor, and percussionist — whose work has always been rooted in artistic innovation, personal transformation, and social change. Through her art, she has consistently strived to build bridges across class, gender, age, and cultural differences. She has worked with a diverse range of people, creating spaces for expression and healing, and her home reflected this vision. Losing it all, especially after all the love and intention they poured into it, is heartbreaking.

The Road to Recovery

While they are incredibly lucky to be safe, rebuilding their lives will be a long and difficult journey. The funds raised in this campaign will help with immediate necessities such as clothing, food, and temporary housing, as well as longer-term recovery. The insurance process will be tangled and slow, and they will need support to get through this challenging time.

How You Can Help

Please consider donating any amount you can to help Sheetal, Sattva, and their children recover. No donation is too small, and even if you can’t contribute financially, sharing this campaign will make a difference. Your support will help them navigate the tough road ahead, and bring some hope during this incredibly difficult time. Every contribution, no matter the size, will be a step toward healing and rebuilding a life filled with love, creativity, and connection.