Join us to celebrate Three years of Sapan
and an intimate discussion on
Art and Southasian voices
Day/date: Sunday, 31 March 2024
Time: 11 am ET, 8:00 pm PKT, 8:30 pm IST, 8:45 pm NPT, 9 pm BST
Art transcends boundaries and fosters understanding. As we celebrate the third anniversary of Sapan (Southasia Peace Action Network), join us for a special webinar to mark this milestone, with a discussion on Art and Southasian Voices, exploring this powerful tool for peace and unity.
We will look back on Sapan’s journey since launch on 27 March 2021, and celebrate our accomplishments over the past three years. From a virtual gathering during the Covid-19 pandemic, to over 30 online and in-person discussions and meet-ups, Sapan has been instrumental in fostering connections and promoting the narrative of peace.
The soft launch of Sapan News in August 2021 led to the development of a nonprofit media outlet that sends out syndicated features to over 30 publications in Southasia and the diaspora. The aim is to amplify the discourse of dialogue, democracy, and peace.
All this and more – join us as we highlight key milestones and the collective efforts of the Sapan community.
The Sapan overview will be followed by an intimate discussion about the intersection of art and Southasian voices with celebrated artists and curators Salima Hashmi from Lahore, Manmeet K. Walia from Delhi, and Roshan Mishra from Kathmandu. They will explore how art amplifies Southasian voices, fosters understanding, and promotes unity.
Event host: Khawar Mumtaz, prominent advocate for women’s rights in Lahore.
The event will end with a special appearance by Khushi Kabir, Sohana Ahmed, and Bipasha Saed in Dhaka singing a song written by the iconic late activist Kamla Bhasin who launched Sangat, a Southasian feminist collective, whose reins she handed over to Khushi Kabir in January 2021 some months before passing on.
Art and Southasian Voices
The post-modern movement in the arts across Southasia was catalyzed by figures such as the legendary painters George Keyt of Sri Lanka, S.H. Raza of India, Ali Imam of Pakistan, and Zainul Abedin from Bengal who rose above the conflict and political turmoil. Drawing from the legacies of the 1950s and 1960s, the residues prevalent are central to the dialogues of contemporary language.
Today, as technology enables a greater flow of ideas, exchanges, collaborations and intercultural exchanges, the cross-pollination allows practitioners to overcome many barriers. This facilitates a deeper exploration of the interconnectedness between ecological sustainability, socio-economic development, and geopolitical tensions continuum of artistic inquiry.
The conversation will extend from the early modernist movements to contemporary expressions and emerging artists, inviting critical reflection on the crises that reverberate across the region and beyond.
Join us for this enriching event and celebrate the power of creativity to inspire positive change and collective action.
The event will be broadcast live on the Southasia Peace YouTube channel. Or register to join via Zoom.
Participant bios at this link
We have been doing this work voluntarily for three years. Join us and help us keep going. Donate to support Southasia Peace and help us keep doing our work. No amount is too small. Monthly contributions appreciated. Donations in the US are tax deductible.
Thank you!
Southasia Peace Action Network 