Ep 1: Using Creativity To Bring Cultures Together ft. The Kolam Project

With the election of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris whose mother is of Indian descent, three Indian American women created the Inauguration Kolam 2021 Project to creatively welcome the new administration and Vice President Harris, in particular, as she became the first Asian American and Caribbean American woman to hold a nationally elected office. This public art offering was featured in the official Presidential Inauguration Kick-off events.

Our guests today are the three creators of this project, Shanthi Chandrasekar, Sowmya Somnath, and Roopal Shah.
Shanthi Chandrasekar is a Maryland artist who has been drawing and painting since early childhood. Shanthi has a deep understanding of kolams from her grandmother, formal training and her own practice. While many of Shanthi’s works are influenced by her Indian heritage, her true inspiration comes from the mystery and majesty of the world around her.

Sowmya Somnath brings together three amazing skill sets: she’s a structural engineer who has spearheaded a decade of design and construction projects throughout the US, community water, sanitation, and hygiene education specialist focusing on community development projects in various countries and she’s a Tamil mother raising two beautiful daughters with language, culture and wisdom of her family traditions. Sowmya is also the energy behind tippytap.org/ and an incredible advocate for the power of handwashing to save lives.

Our third guest, Roopal Shah enjoys being a journeywoman of the Narmada Parikrama and an energizer bunny of service projects. She co-founded and co-led Indicorps’ Service for the Soul fellowship program helping Indians from around the world understand self and heritage through immersive, grassroots community-based service in India. She encourages family and friends to be good stewards of the earth.

Know more about them: https://www.2021kolam.com.

"Where East Meets West" is a collaboration between Ep.Log Media Network & America Meditating Radio

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For advertising/partnerships send you can send us an email at [email protected].

If you like this show, please subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts, so other people can find us. You can also find us on https://www.eplog.media

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed on all the shows produced and distributed by Ep.Log Media are personal to the host and the guest of the shows respectively and with no intention to harm the sentiments of any individual/organization.
The said content is not obscene or blasphemous or defamatory of any event and/or person deceased or alive or in contempt of court or breach of contract or breach of privilege, or in violation of any provisions of the statute, nor hurt the sentiments of any religious groups/ person/government/non-government authorities and/or breach or be against any declared public policy of any nation or state.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the election of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris whose mother is of Indian descent, three Indian American women created the Inauguration Kolam 2021 Project to creatively welcome the new administration and Vice President Harris, in particular, as she became the first Asian American and Caribbean American woman to hold a nationally elected office. This public art offering was featured in the official Presidential Inauguration Kick-off events.

Our guests today are the three creators of this project, Shanthi Chandrasekar, Sowmya Somnath, and Roopal Shah.
Shanthi Chandrasekar is a Maryland artist who has been drawing and painting since early childhood. Shanthi has a deep understanding of kolams from her grandmother, formal training and her own practice. While many of Shanthi’s works are influenced by her Indian heritage, her true inspiration comes from the mystery and majesty of the world around her.

Sowmya Somnath brings together three amazing skill sets: she’s a structural engineer who has spearheaded a decade of design and construction projects throughout the US, community water, sanitation, and hygiene education specialist focusing on community development projects in various countries and she’s a Tamil mother raising two beautiful daughters with language, culture and wisdom of her family traditions. Sowmya is also the energy behind tippytap.org/ and an incredible advocate for the power of handwashing to save lives.

Our third guest, Roopal Shah enjoys being a journeywoman of the Narmada Parikrama and an energizer bunny of service projects. She co-founded and co-led Indicorps’ Service for the Soul fellowship program helping Indians from around the world understand self and heritage through immersive, grassroots community-based service in India. She encourages family and friends to be good stewards of the earth.

Know more about them: https://www.2021kolam.com.

"Where East Meets West" is a collaboration between Ep.Log Media Network & America Meditating Radio

Subscribe now to get notified about the latest episodes!

You can follow us and leave us feedback on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @eplogmedia,

For advertising/partnerships send you can send us an email at [email protected].

If you like this show, please subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts, so other people can find us. You can also find us on https://www.eplog.media

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed on all the shows produced and distributed by Ep.Log Media are personal to the host and the guest of the shows respectively and with no intention to harm the sentiments of any individual/organization.
The said content is not obscene or blasphemous or defamatory of any event and/or person deceased or alive or in contempt of court or breach of contract or breach of privilege, or in violation of any provisions of the statute, nor hurt the sentiments of any religious groups/ person/government/non-government authorities and/or breach or be against any declared public policy of any nation or state.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.