Nominated for Independent Rock Artist of the Year – 13th Annual LA Music Awards
Besides continuing their extensive, international tours, The Durgas are committed to bringing a unifying musical experience to challenged communities around the world. In 2003 they were the first band to play in Mitrovica, Kosovo since the Balkan wars, as part of the ongoing United Nations peace and reunification initiative. In 2004 they took part in the XV International AIDS/HIV Conference in Bangkok, Thailand and performed in AIDS hospitals and orphanages. In 2007 they toured throughout Asia, playing to children of migrant workers in Mumbai, India, in Sri Lanka to families displaced by the Tsunami, in Thailand at the Saphan Jai festival, and for Burmese refugees in camps along the Thai border. They have witnessed firsthand the profound effects that live music can bring about in people, across barriers of land and language. Their experiences abroad have led them to start their own foundation Music In Action, which has been supported by U.S. Campaign for Burma, Save the Children UK, the German children’s foundation WeltKinderLachen, Jack Healey (Human Rights Activist) and Michael Franti of Spearhead.