SONGS FOR MANY LIVES
In Songs for Many Lives, Carnatic music takes root in a context close to home: our lives as immigrants in the Bay Area, California.
We celebrate South Asian immigrant life, in its diversity, radicality and richness.
Songs for Many Lives creates new Carnatic compositions inspired by stories of South Asian immigration to the United States. These songs reflect not only the successes and struggles, but also the myriad ways - some more visible than others - by which South Asian immigrants have made a new home, re-invented traditions, and fought for better lives for their communities. Compositions are in the langauges Tamil, Sanskrit, Hindi, Telugu, English, Bengali, and the work continues….
“Tillāna pāḍuvōmē, nalla kālam ini mel malarumē /
Nyāyamum mittiramum azhaippōm inda rāgam pāḍiyē”
Carnatic songs beautifully express deep personal devotion and speak of the inner spiritual journey. Can our rich music, so effective at invoking contemplative and emotional states of mind, also articulate values of friendship, resistance to oppression, justice, plurality, and more? Can the music speak to the themes of our diasporic lives and immigrant communities?
Songs for Many Lives is led by violinist Sruti Sarathy and vocalist Roopa Mahadevan. The project began with a grant from the Creative Work Fund, through which they began working with Alliance of South Asians Taking Action (ASATA) to learn more about the organizing history of South Asians in the Bay Area, and the issues that drive their ongoing advocacy work.
After three successful work-in-progress showings in Chicago (Kalapriya), Atlanta (Emory University), and San Francisco, Songs for Many Lives will formally premiere in the Bay Area, California in 2025.
An album of the compositions is also forthcoming!
GET INVOLVED:
Join our mailing list!
Donate to our project!
Book us to do a performance in your community!
