Ahaana Festival 2024
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Meet our Artists
Nilanjana Banerjee
Nilanjana's journey from India to New Jersey is truly inspiring. Her dedication to Odissi dance led her to establish RDM Studio, where she empowers students with both dance skills and inner strength. Through her blend of tradition and modernity, Nilanjana bridges cultural divides, resonating with diverse audiences. Her quote encapsulates her spirit of embracing change, regardless of societal norms. Attending one of her performances promises a memorable experience, showcasing her passion for Odissi and commitment to sharing its beauty.
“ The Modern Woman Is About Embracing Life’s Changes In A Positive Spirit. Neither Age Nor Society Should Ever Be A Barrier To One’s Dreams And Aspirations.”
– Nilanjana Banerjee
Connect with her: https://www.rdmstudio.org/
Rumela Ganguly
Rumela Ganguly, a homemaker and mother of three, discovered her passion for theater in 2005. This led her to establish "Seattle Theaterwala," a non-profit theater organization in 2014.
What YKB means to me:
She has participated in and co-directed performances of 'Yoni Ki Baat' (YKB) since 2012, finding inspiration in the fearlessness and empowerment of the women involved. She believes in the transformative power of empowering women, aiming to pass on this empowerment to future generations. Rumela is going to narrate another woman's story at the Ahaana Festival 2024, deeply cherishing the opportunity to continue fostering empowerment through storytelling.
Archana Verma
Archana Verma's upbringing in a North Indian university town was deeply influenced by her grandparents' refugee history from the Partition of India. Despite societal norms, she became the first woman in her family to earn an engineering degree. Over three decades, she's ventured through diverse careers as a software engineer, culinary instructor, and college counselor.
What YKB means to me:
Archana signed up for Yoni Ki Baat in Seattle in 2010 without ever having witnessed a monologue. Performing her monologue a few months later was one of the most formative experiences of Archana’s adult life, and she attributes her current courage, conviction, and some of her most enduring friendships to joining YKB. This is her second time sharing at YkB in San Diego.
Nirav Randeria
Nirav Randeria is from Seattle, Washington. He cherishes the privilege of being a father and considers it the best full-time job in the world.
He likes to identify himself as an extroverted introvert. He is not a huge fan of loud pushy people and is proud of his gut instinct, art of observing human behaviors and situations to base his decisions.
When not parenting or thinking, Nirav hangs out with many tech nerds (although he is not a geek himself). He works for Microsoft, designing and delivering exceptional support experiences for the company’s products. Having coined the leadership phrase “HEAR” (Humility, Empathy, Adaptability, Resilience), Nirav shares a passion for "servant leadership” as a selfless mentor to others while nurturing a culture of service within the organization. He loves championing his team and the company but hates advertising for himself.
Nirav is cautious but very optimistic and looking forward to pioneering a future - integrating technology with humanitarian initiatives to help drive ethical, impactful outcomes in the lives of every human being on this planet.
Ruchira Densert
Ruchira Densert immigrated from India at the age of 14 and attended the Navy’s ROTC undergraduate program and military medical school in Bethesda, MD. She has proudly served in the U.S. military for 30 years. She has been practicing psychiatry since 2001 and has over 26 years of active duty service. She has 2 children and currently lives and practices psychiatry in San Diego.
What YKB means to me:
Ruchira’s journey with ‘Yoni Ki Baat’ started a year ago when she attended 2023 Yoni Ki Baat. She was truly moved and inspired by the courage of the participants, who overcame their fears and shame and openly shared intimate details of their life adversities with a room full of strangers. Their heartfelt stories touched her deeply, and in combination with the nonjudgmental audience, she has found the strength to share her story, parts of which she did not openly share due to feeling ashamed and fear of being judged. Grateful for YKB's empowerment, she hopes to continue contributing and finding healing and catharsis in the storytelling process.
Mohini Gima
Mohini is a first-generation Indian American who is originally from New Jersey. She is crazy about mangos and is a 90s/00s hip-hop and reggae lover. She completed her M.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders and worked for 14 years as a holistic Speech Language Pathologist. Her career provided her with opportunities to support people throughout her lifespan.
Even though Mohini checked off all the Indian "good girl" boxes, she started to question the expectations placed on her.
Rani Rising is her dharma, and she helps fellow South Asian women let go of their "shoulds" so that they can embrace their truth. Mohini is currently on a journey to reconnect with her roots in India.
Connect with Mohini (send her a dm!)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iammohinigima/
Website: https://ranirising.com/
Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mohini-gima
Suchita Rathi Jawar
Suchita paints with a narrative in mind, drawing inspiration from the vibrant hues of India and the scenic beauty of Southern California. Based in Encinitas, she infuses her emotions into her art using various mediums. Her artistic journey began in her Indian childhood and has been further shaped by her travels and life experiences. Active in the local art scene, she exhibits her work, volunteers in museums, and organizes art workshops for charitable causes. Recently, she completed an International Artist Residency in France. Her art graces homes worldwide, and she welcomes commissions for both canvas and mural projects. Suchita also hosts paint parties, offering a creative outlet for both adults and children.
“I find that I can say things with colors and my brush that I have no other way of expressing, and I hope that my viewer leaves with a little bit of magic in their heart.”
- Suchita Rathi Jhawar
Sandeep Kulkarni
Sandeep, a Mumbai native, gained prominence in the city's rock scene as the lead vocalist of "Mayhem" from 1992 to 1999. He has since diversified his musical journey, performing in various bands across genres and languages, both in the US and internationally. Currently, he co-founded "Rusty Rickshaw," exploring Rock, Pop, Folk, Indie, and Fusion. Alongside band endeavors, Sandeep works on solo originals and collaborations, including projects with Grammy-voting member Suraaj Parab. A lifelong learner, he continues training in Hindustani and Western Classical music. Check out his work on YouTube or Spotify, and reach out for collaborations or bookings—Sandeep is eager to connect!
You can connect with Sandeep here:
https://www.youtube.com/@sandykmusic
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2b6h8XWjqgVCFcRMpxFbdO
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0P2koE2O5HCy8DWwjQZojw
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2vrI3th2MWU5JuiLiWoYiF
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Rusty Rickshaw
Rusty Rickshaw is a band that hails from Los Angeles. Their sound is a cross between their roots from the Indian Subcontinent and their indie Californian spirit. The band has been performing across North America, from venues ranging from intimate nightclubs on Sunset Boulevard in LA and rooftops in San Francisco to large crowds in San Diego. Their work ranges from melodies with introspective words that create contemplative moods to heart-pounding rhythms and seducing riffs that drive you to join the celebration on the floor. Their storytelling is raw, and the music is dipped in the passion that invites you on an incredible ride.
Official Website: www.rustyrickshaw.com
Facebook Page: facebook.com/rustyrickshaw
Instagram: instagram.com/rustyrickshaw
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2vrI3th2MWU5JuiLiWoYiF