Oregon Desi Fest 2023 Impact Report

Overview

DesiFest 2023, a celebration of South Asian arts and cultures, was a tremendous success in Eugene, Oregon. With the invaluable support of our sponsors, donors, and volunteers, the festival showcased an incredible array of visual arts, performances, films, and literary contributions. The festival was a powerful platform for cultural expression, community solidarity, and artistic innovation. The inaugural event took place on October 7, 2023.

Event Highlights

1. Art Exhibitions

• Local and International Artists: DesiFest featured remarkable works by both local and international artists. A highlight was the captivating pieces by Paris Mohan Kumar, whose art drew significant attention. From sales of his prints, we contributed $500 to support his initiatives addressing tribal welfare, women's issues, and environmental advocacy in Kerala, India as a way to stay in touch with our roots.

• Youth Artists: Six youth artists, ranging from elementary to high school, showcased their talents as they explored their wings.

• Adult Visual Artists: Featured adult artists included Keerti Hasija-Kauffman, Abhishek Kulkarni, Melissa “Mimi” Nolledo, and Arun Toké.

2. Local Performance Artists

Our local talent shone through a series of breathtaking performances that represented the diversity of South Asian arts:

• Traditional Dance: Bharatanatyam dancers Dr. Priya Carden and her daughters, Sitara and Indu, delighted the audience with their stunning performance.

• Music: Malayali-American fiddler Miriam Hacksaw showcased the fusion of folk songs from her Malayali roots and Old-Time fiddling.

• Comedy: Abhishek Kulkarni, a local comedian and art student, entertained the audience with humorous anecdotes about life in Eugene after immigrating from Mumbai.

• Spoken Word Poetry: Ari Aquilla-Saund, serving as MC, delivered powerful spoken word poetry throughout the event.

3. Feature Film Screening: "The Bengali"

• DesiFest 2023 featured the screening of The Bengali, directed by Kavery Kaul.

• The screening was followed by an engaging Q&A session, where Professor Anil Oommen discussed the themes of identity and the challenges behind the making of the film with the filmmaker.

4. South Asian Solidarity Screening: "Las Abogadas"

• Las Abogadas, a key highlight of the event, explored South Asian solidarity and the immigrant experience.

• Immigration attorney Charlene D'Cruz, an Indian immigrant featured in the film, shared her story of defending migrant rights at the U.S.-Mexico border and the challenges that shaped her work.

5. Literary Contributions

• Dr. Lamia Karim: Dr. Karim delivered a compelling reading from her book, Castoffs of Capital: Work and Love Among Garment Workers in Bangladesh, shedding light on the lives of Bangladeshi garment workers. Her book has received numerous awards, including the University of Oregon's Provost Book Publication Award.

• Aparna Rajagopal-Durbin: Local author and blogger Aparna Rajagopal-Durbin captivated the audience with readings from her works, offering a personal perspective on growing up as a South Asian American.

6. Interactive Activity: Community Mandala Creation

A core part of DesiFest was the collaborative creation of a giant mandala, drawing inspiration from regions across South Asia, particularly Nepal and Kerala. This mandala was surrounded by a Black Lives Matter presentation by Churchill HS students and a photograph of Jaahnavi Kandula, a young South Asian woman who was killed in Seattle - soon after which negative comments were made about the value of her life by a police officer. The mandala symbolizd a call for healing and reconciliation across cultural and racial borders.

7. Chai & Chaat Social

Attendees enjoyed Chai and Chaat as they mingled and engaged with one another. The event concluded with Bollywood dancing led by DJ Prashant, adding an energetic close to the day.

Community Impact

DesiFest 2023 was met with enthusiastic feedback from the community, highlighting the cultural and intellectual nourishment it provided:

• “When will you do this again?”

• “This was definitely #NotYourAuntysTypicalDesiFest!”

• “DesiFest was a great treat, nourishing us on cultural, educational, and intellectual fronts in a gentle and celebratory way! My congratulations to you and the organizers. Thank you for this feast!”
  — Commissioner Padma Akkaraju, Oregon Commission on Asian Pacific Islander Affairs (OCAPIA)

Attendance & Growth

We anticipated a modest group of around 50 attendees but were thrilled to host nearly 150 attendees at the October 7 event. 

In partnership with the Eugene Public Library and Oregon Caste Abolition Collective (OCAC), we also hosted an event on March 12 with journalist and author, Yashic Dutt reading from her book, Coming Out as Dalit. The event drew a standing-room-only crowd of 130+ attendees, far exceeding expectations for a traditionally low-attendance evening at the library.

Sponsors & Support

We extend heartfelt thanks to our sponsors and individual donors who made DesiFest 2023 and DesiLitFest possible. Our first-year success was supported by:

1. Pacific University

2. University of Oregon Division of Equity & Inclusion

3. Sudha Vaikuntam and DC Realtors

4. Pacific ClearVision Institute

5. RISE of the Umpqua and Willamette Valleys

Looking ahead, we are excited to announce that we have already secured 13 sponsors for the upcoming year, with the potential for more to join.

Future Goals

DesiFest is committed to becoming an annual celebration of South Asian arts and culture in Eugene. As we grow, we are dedicated to fostering unity, cultural appreciation, and deeper community engagement. To continue and expand this initiative, we seek sustained support and funding to keep DesiFest a cornerstone event in our community.

Thank you to everyone who made DesiFest 2023 an unforgettable celebration. We look forward to your continued support in the years to come!