Bhangra in Beverly Hills
Posted by Jodha in Bhangra on 03 10th, 2009 | 2 Comments
Although I am long since removed from the “bhangra scene”, still I thought this was interesting montage compiled by the Los Angeles Times in their “street culture” section, highlighting 11 great pictures on the Sights of Socal Bhangra.
The thumping, driving beat of bhangra –a...
Fighting Back Against Abuse
Posted by Sundari in Activism, Canada, Health, Human Rights, India, Organizations on 03 10th, 2009 | 9 Comments
If Baldev Mutta’s cellphone rings in the middle of a meeting, he picks it up. If it beeps over dinnertime or at midnight, he answers it. And if he has to go out to pick up a woman and find her a spot at a shelter at 3 a.m., he will do it. “It can mean the difference between life and death...
India’s Role in Darfur: Not just China and al-Bashir in Sudan
Last week, the International Criminal Court (ICC), issued an arrest warrant for current President of Sudan, Omer Hassan Al-Bashir. Al-Bashir has been charged with five counts of crimes against humanity: murder, extermination, forcible transfer, torture and rape. He also faces two counts of war crimes. ...
Surrey Gurdwara goes to court over leadership
Posted by Camille in Canada on 03 6th, 2009 | 15 Comments
We’ve talked a little bit about the Sikh Youth Slate that ran for gurdwara elections — and won — in Surrey, as well as how mainstream Canadian media was framing the event. In that election, youth won the vote with a platform promising a focus on Sikhi, community-based service, and support...
Providing Comfort Through Art: A Salon-Owner & Painter
As International Women’s Day approaches us this weekend, I wanted to highlight the story of one woman who left a life of violence to a home of comfort built from creativity. Tanya Momi, a Bay Area South Asian woman from Chandigarh, is a painter and owner of “Spoil-Me Salon”, who left a long-term...
The Rise of Gurmat Sangeet
Posted by Singh in Art, Education, Gurbani, Music, Musings, Preservation, Sikhi, UK, USA on 03 4th, 2009 | 18 Comments
As I was randomly going through youtube clips a few days ago, I came across the above video of a group of Sikh children in Fremont, who learn kirtan in classical raags. Despite the poor audio, its obvious that they are good and I know this also from having heard them (and some of their contemporaries)...
Despite profiling, the Search For Common Ground continues
Yet another inexplicable case of profiling has come to light. On January 26th, 36 year old Rashad Bukhari arrived from Pakistan with a valid multi-entry visa into the US. Bhukhari is a former employee of the U.S. Institute for Peace, and currently the Urdu-language editor of the Common Ground...
Sometimes the poorest of men are the richest
Posted by Sundari in Film on 03 3rd, 2009 | 7 Comments
Yes, I’m going to dare to talk about a film other than Slumdog Millionaire. This past weekend, I watched a film called Amal and I can’t stop thinking about it. While this movie has been shown at several independent film festivals, it hasn’t received the attention I think it deserves...
Sikh Spirit
I know, from personal experience, that Sikh student organizations are always looking for a way to “get involved” and participate in a good cause. So, when I read about a recent initiative encouraging this type of active involvement, I cheered (abeit silenty… and to myself). The...
When is an Encounter just an Encounter
Not in India! In India, the state only engages in what is euphemistically called “fake encounters.” While many in the Sikh community remember the tragic events of 1984, in many ways the events did not just transform the Sikh nation, but has had a lasting effect on the Indian state.
Rarely do...
Sikh Spiritual Model of Counseling
Despite the rich linguistic flexibility of Punjabi, it is telling that we do not have a single term for ‘depression.’ Mental health has been an ongoing conversation since the inception of the blog, repeatedly highlighted by Sundari and others. Often treatment is not sought and if it is sought...
