Author: Sankar Raman

Ranjish Hi Sahi Live at The Armory

For decades, “Ranjish Hi Sahi” has been a cherished torch passed through generations of singers, captivating listeners with its timeless ghazal. Written in Urdu  

Sanson Ki Mala at The Armory

“Sanson Ki Mala Pe” (साँसों की माला पे) is a rare bhajan penned by Meerabai (15th Century) in honor of her lord Krishna. The opening line translates as:  

Allah Elohim at The Armory

Perhaps as a kind of invocation, Bala and Shivani chose to play the song Allah Elohim, a piece that now resonates more deeply than ever before.

We Are One Live at The Armory

This original composition, thoughtfully created and arranged by Bala for this occasion, weaves a melody that speaks to the deepest threads of our shared  

Aap Ki Nazaron Live at The Armory

This beautiful melody comes from the classic Bollywood film Anpadh (1962). Originally sung by the legendary Lata Mangeshkar, the song features music

Video Clip

Mast Qalandar Live at The Armory

“Mast Qalandar” is perhaps the most celebrated and widely rendered of all Qawwalis. Reverberating through the annals of South Asian musical heritage,

Shall We Dance Bollywood?

As a student in India, Prashant worked hard and finally achieved the American dream of a well-paying job in engineering and a career that made his parents proud.  

Food Feeds our Souls

Born in Tehran, Iran in 1978, during the Iranian revolution, Sara came to Portland with her family in 1986. As young teenagers,

Taking Some Losses to Win

TK grew up in segregated Rhodesia under British control and experienced the joyous birth of independent Zimbabwe. As a young lawyer,  

There is No Peace in Kunar Valley

As a boy growing up in a remote valley near the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Nasirullah was fascinated by the US soldiers who came to fight the Taliban  

This is what I want, To Be Who I Am

Franke Tokam-Powell was born in Douala, Cameroon. As a quiet effeminate boy, he always felt he did not fit in so, when he got the chance to go to college […]

One Voice Brings a Big Change

Meghna Damani grew up in the thriving city of Mumbai, India and established herself in a flourishing career in marketing. But when she married her long-time boyfriend 

Caught Between War and Paperwork

Newly married, Ghassan Bin Hammam came to get a graduate degree in the US, planning to return to Yemen to teach. But, on a quick trip back  

Discovering Our Stories

Growing up close to his paternal grandparents in southern Oregon, Toby Asai Loftus was always intrigued by the other half of his family,