Comments on: Art and Friction

By: DJ 88

DJ 88 — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 23:59:04 +0000

I can't wait for South Asian DJs to be as mainstream here in the US as they are in the UK. I think in general, the South Asian culture is more mainstream over there. I think we're starting to see some action here, with Lil' Jay remixes getting spins on KTU 103.5 in New York recently. I've seen his vinyl getting good reviews on some sites. I hear he's getting frequent airplay on BBC, and not just the Bobby & Nihal show.

That album cover reminds me of Rawkus' Soundbombing Vol. 2 CD cover. If you haven't heard it, it's a classic. Tracks 3,4, & 20 are probably the best.

By: tablapusher

tablapusher — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 04:16:30 +0000

looking forward to the british invasion! Friction rocks, and such a vibrant and positive personality…glad to see him supporting Project Ahimsa, and being there for Artwallah. Both organizations are pushing the best in south Asian art activism, and it makes me very happy!

By: Kenyandesi

Kenyandesi — Tue, 20 Jun 2006 15:10:17 +0000

SP, that's a pretty amazing story...

Abhi, sooooooooooooooooooooo jealous. I listen to Friction and Nihal all the time...boooo. they're on the wrong coast (from me).

By: SP

SP — Tue, 20 Jun 2006 10:50:41 +0000

Abhi, this photo brings back so many memories! So moved (and surprised) just seeing it. One minute soapbox, please.

Far right of the photo is Sandeep Vaghela, a talented young artist from Ahmedabad who grew up in the slums and whose grandfather was active in India's independence movement. Sandeep and his family live directly across the street from the Gandhi Ashram in Ahmedabad; he's one of Manav Sadhna's most compelling "success stories" (for lack of a better phrase) and hopes to study here in the U.S. someday. For almost 4 years he's been working on improving his English; we're working with Soka University (So Cal) to try and secure a spot for him.

Sandeep is also one of fourteen children from EKTA ("Unity"), a project Manav Sadhna did in 2002. Fourteen kids from the Ahemdabadi slums were trained in a full-fledged stage production (entitled EKTA) that chronicled the lives and messages of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi, Jr. EKTA traveled to 25 cities in the U.S., visited some 75 schools/youth organizations, and raised money for these children and their families, as well as the organization itself.

A shout to Project Ahimsa (Darian, Robin, amazing folks). Truly an amazing organization doing work with Manav Sadhna & other kids. Chicago mutineers might know of Viren Joshi (one of MS's founders--standing next to Sandeep in the photo). If you're in Chi-town, look this man up. He's there now (half-year in India, half in US). I guarantee you'll learn something.

Last plug: the Community Center that Abhi mentioned, being built in Ramapir no Tekro just down the road from the Gandhi Ashram--it is truly a sight unseen. This organization and these people don't just believe in Gandhian principles of self-sustainability and upliftment, they live them.