By Swati Bhargava- University of Wisconsin-Madison The yoni (Sanskrit word for “vagina”) has long been held sacred in Hindu mythology, but through the years of patriarchy and colonialism, it has rarely been allowed to speak its mind. In 2003, South Asian Sisters, a collective of progressive...

By Komal Thakkar – George Washington University I’ll be honest, I’m a tough critic when it comes to dance. The word fusion and I have a rather strange relationship. When the words modern, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, or ballet are used in conjunction with Bollywood, Bharatnatyam, Kathak, or...

by Komal Thakkar – George Washington University Every year, I feel as though my attachment to India becomes increasingly stronger. Spending five months studying abroad in Ghana (hence my absence from BG) has forced me to think about my identity in ways that I never had previously. At orientation,...

Guest contributor Rani Hayden – www.ranihayden.com Show of hands of who has had their mendhi done before? Mendhi or Henna Parties are a part of the many festivities for South Asian weddings. Typically for the ladies side of the family (however that has since changed and the woman on the men’s...

 An anonymous BG submission Let me be clear, I love my religion. I adore the cultural diversity and brightly colored scarves, and the fact that the Quran has been unchanged since originally revealed over 1300 years ago. I respect the harmonious expression of self-devotion to God complete with natural...

By Atiya Hasan This year’s Ramadan showed up on my doorstep unannounced. How could I not have noticed that a whole year had passed by? I didn’t know if I should be excited or overwhelmed. Regardless of my sentiments, however, the Month of Fasting was upon me. All the news mediums did their...

By Priya Mukhopadhyay – Stony Brook University An arengetram or Indian classical dance debut is an occasion to lay one’s talent and skills out for all to view.  Usually when the dancer expels a certain amount of dedication and effortlessly performs the dances in an aesthetically pleasing manner...

by Shritin Patel - Houston Baptist University Graduate   ‘Suitable Boy’ Checklist: Educated? Check. Good family? Check. Wealthy? Tall?  Fair?  Hot AKA Jay Sean? (Ahh, wishful thinking). Appropriate caste? Che…wait..WHAT? I’m at a loss for words 99.9 % of the time when I...

By Trisha Sakhuja – Stony Brook University The Sindhi Voices Project (SVP) is a community initiative at the intersections of digital media and oral history. SVP engages people in the production of their histories and hopes to spark inter-community and inter-generational dialogue along the way....

by Shritin Patel - Houston, TX “You’re only American if you’re born on American soil.”  My head swerved around so quickly it almost snapped.  Befuddled, I answered with “I was not born in America, but I am American.” To which I received a smirk, a shake of the head,...