Raja Kumari is a Grammy-nominated artist, rapper, and songwriter celebrated for blending Indian classical music with hip-hop, R&B, and electronic influences. A pioneer of global fusion music, she has collaborated with artists like Iggy Azalea, Sidhu Moosewala, Divine, and John Legend while working with major labels such as Epic Records, Sony Music India, and Mass Appeal India. In 2022, she launched her independent label, Godmother Records, amplifying her unique artistic vision. Her latest album, Kashi to Kailash, is a deeply spiritual and powerful body of work that explores themes of self-discovery, heritage, and devotion, further solidifying her place as a voice of cultural and musical evolution. Beyond music, Raja Kumari has been a cultural force—judging MTV Hustle, collaborating with brands like MAC Cosmetics, WhatsApp, and Johnnie Walker, and performing at prestigious festivals like Coachella and Wireless Festival. Her songs have been featured in Never Have I Ever, Ms. Marvel, and Bollywood hits like Jawan and Zero. A global icon, she continues to bridge cultures, break barriers, and redefine the sound of South Asian music on the world stage.

Introducing the vibrant South Asian Drag Queens Chai Auntea and Bindi Masala and the dazzling Middle Eastern Drag Queen SheidyBee. Together, they are the spicy, the sassy, and the sensational Masala Mahal. Why be a drag house when queens are worthy of a palace? The trio is known for their colorful, creative, and dynamic presence onstage, captivating audiences of all ages and backgrounds. From glitter to gossip, these artists bring a unique fusion of cultures to the stage. Our mission is to create visibility for the Middle Eastern and South Asian LGBTQ+ community. Celebrate love with The Masala Mahal!

Chai Auntea, the spice-infused diva of South Asian drag, sashays onto the stage with more drama than a Bollywood plot twist! Chai Auntea is a producer, host, DJ, and performer. Chai loves to spill the tea like every typical auntie. If you're ready for a chai-riffic time, grab your cups because this queen has been dancing all their life and is brewing a storm you won't want to miss!

Bindi Masala is a living Goddess known for her glamorous and campy style. "The Bindi, the Masala, and the Holy Spirit Gum!" Captivating her audiences with her infectious energy, dazzling costumes, and charm. She incorporates her background in media and art into her performances to create a fantasy that can only be appreciated in a live setting. She is celebrated for her mesmerizing performances and her ode to old-school glamour. She hopes for an all-inclusive world where Drag is limitless. She is from Singapore and of South Indian descent. She has been living and performing in the Bay Area for over 8 years, both onstage and off, as her persona, Bindi Masala. Her message to the world is to "be brave and to live your truth!"

SheidyBee is a fierce Middle Eastern Drag Queen. She creates stunning futuristic costumes inspired by her struggles. "When I step on stage, it's not just about me. It's about bringing joy, sparking inspiration, and showing others that self-expression is a right! And not a privilege." Her performances are a love letter to those who feel unseen and unheard. It is a celebration of authenticity and a reminder that we all deserve to be seen, heard, celebrated, and loved — a true inspiration to all of us under the rainbow.

Performing alongside The Masala Mahal, Besharam Brigade is the fiercest queer Bollywood dance duo. Originally from the Bay Area and now based in New York City, they’re here to prove that being South Asian and queer isn’t just beautiful - it’s joyous, playful, and absolutely irresistable.

Abby Govindan is a 27 year old stand-up comedian and writer based in New York City.

Abby got her start in comedy at the age of 20, making her comedic debut at Caroline’s on Broadway in New York City in December of 2017. Within a year of pursuing comedy, she had a meteoric rise after she went viral on the internet for her sharp wit and comedic ingenuity. Since starting comedy, Abby has performed at venues all over the world and, in 2019, even toured as a headliner for several colleges across the nation while being a college student herself.

Since blowing up on Twitter and Instagram, she’s opened for coveted comedians such as Russell Peters, Daniel Sloss, and Hasan Minhaj. She has also traveled the world and regularly sells out shows across the country as a headliner. Now, as she works on cementing a name for herself outside of internet virality, Abby is sharing her critically acclaimed, heartwarming one hour solo show across the country. 

Vani Dewan is a Neuroscientist and DJ, with a deep interest in global music to stimulate the brain and body. She worked in educational neuroscience at Stanford for the past 2 years, and now will be starting a PhD in music cognition at the Brain and Creativity Institute at USC.

To complement her performance at TAMASHA, Vani curated a Spotify playlist highlighting some of her favorite up-and-coming South Asian tracks including:

• “Made It” by Gayathri Krishnan -- a new Carnatic/R&B release from an innovative soulstress
• “Harkalay” from Coke Studio Pakistan -- a romantic Pashto-Urdu-English pop song by REHMA & Zahoor
• “People Never Change”, by Peter Cat Recording Co -- a timeless release from an alternative rock & jazz group from Delhi
• “ORBIT” by Akshara -- an ethereal, sultry Indian-classical inspired neosoul/lofi tune
• “Ustad” by Baalti -- a groovy electronic music piece featuring Indian folks & electronic samples, honoring Ustad Zakir Hussain 

Founded in 2007 by Punjabi-American dancer Joti Singh and Guinean musician Bongo Sidibe, Duniya Dance and Drum Company is a South Asian and West African racial and immigrant justice performing arts organization. Our company values of Tradition, Cultural Exchange, Social Justice, and Community Building emphasize our commitment to serve our communities in the Bay Area. 

Through our performances and programs, we aim to educate audiences about untold histories and current events that impact our communities. We advocate for equal funding for culture bearers and immigrant art forms, aiming to dismantle caste supremacy and address colorism and anti-Blackness in South Asian culture. We also confront intersectional inequities within our own communities, including misogyny, homophobia, and transphobia. By featuring and supporting BIPOC artists, fostering education and community engagement, and confronting intersectional inequities, Duniya strives to create a more inclusive and just arts landscape. 

Major accomplishments include: Our free African Arts Festival; community classes offered both online and in-person; educational programs in schools and universities; and productions exploring community issues, under-recognized stories, and the complexities of of immigrant histories like “Half and Halves,” a collaboration with Ensambles Ballet Folklorico de San Francisco about the Punjabi-Mexican Communities of California, which has been performed in San Francisco, Fresno, the Smithsonian Museum of American history, and Indianapolis; and “Raices et Resistance,” a collaboration with Susana Arenas Pedroso about the post-independence relationship between Guinea, West Africa and Cuba.

Duniya’s work has been supported by the Creative Work Fund, San Francisco Arts Commission, California Arts Council, the Alliance for California Traditional Arts, the Zellerbach, New England Foundation for the Arts, Rainin and Wattis foundations and more.

www.duniyadance.com |  IG: @duniyadanceanddrum

Artistic Director/Choreographer: Joti Singh

Choreography Collaborators: Stephanie Chen, Jessica Pfisterer, Angel Adedokun, Nadhi Thekkek, Rasika Kumar

Dancers: Phoenix Anderson, Stephanie Chen, Priya Chatwani, Renuka Garg, Sabrina Hager, Risa Haile, Rasika Kumar, Jessica Pfisterer, Shabnam Sigman, Joti Singh, Danielle Smith, Maura Whelehan
Vocalist: Tina Mann
Keyboard: Vineel Krishna
Dholak/Tabla: Neil Prasad
Dhol: Bongo Sidibe
Djembe: Eric Bli Bi Gore
Spoken Text: Written and performed by Joti Singh

Music
“Black Goose/Let Me Breathe”:
Priya Ragu

“Firangi”:
Lyrics: Bhagwan Singh Gyanee
Composition: Ishmeet Narula

“Sachi Pukar”
Lyrics: Bhagwan Singh Gyanee
Composition: Ishmeet Narula

“Maghron La”:
Sabri Sisters, Rozeo
Performed by: Tina Mann, Bongo Sidibe, Vineel Krishna, Neil Prasad

“Biryani”:
Composition: Bongo Sidibe

Duniya Production Manager: Charlie Boyd Brown

Show Order

I: Black Goose

Set to a song by Priya Ragu, this opening piece explores the need for solidarity against police brutality and the violence of immigration enforcement. 

II: Excerpts from “Ghadar Geet: Blood and Ink”

In the early 1900s, Joti Singh’s great-grandfather, Bhagwan Singh Gyanee, lived in San Francisco and was the president of the Ghadar Party, a political party fighting for the independence of India from the British, through militancy (blood) and revolutionary literature (ink). “Ghadar Geet: Blood and Ink” interweaves the political action of the Ghadar Party with present-day activism, linking the party’s strategic diversity with contemporary solidarities between radical justice movements. The performance explores the Ghadar party’s desire to restructure society, not only overthrowing the British but creating a new economic equality as well. Two of the songs (geet) in this piece are originally poems written by Joti Singh’s great-grandfather in 1915 that were distributed in Ghadar publications throughout the world.

-The Turning Point

This piece explores the exploitative conditions in Punjab that inspired Bhagwan Singh Gyanee and others to envision independence.

-Blood and Ink

Bhagwan Singh Gyanee sought to awaken the hearts of the colonized, urging them to lay down the tools of their oppressors—tools that built the wealth of an empire while bleeding their own land dry. His call echoes today.

-Jaldi Karo
Inspired by Bhagwan Singh Gyanee’s poem of the same name, Jaldi Karo reimagines Bhangra through the lens of revolution. West African and Punjabi movement vocabularies intertwine to create a dance language that speaks to resistance, unity, and solidarity across caste, religion, and class.

Gyanee, once hunted by British intelligence, was forced to change names and identities. The dancers embody this struggle—shifting rhythms, tempos, and styles—mirroring the urgency of revolutionary transformation. 

-Firangi

The lyrics of Firangi describe European powers seizing control across the world, with Indians sent to the front lines as brave soldiers—while the British remain behind, scheming and draining India of its wealth. Writing under the pen name Pritam, Gyanee ends the poem with a powerful call for Indians to rise up, promising to stand beside them in the fight for freedom.

-Sachi Pukar

The song comes from Gyanee's poem of the same name, and is composed by Ishmeet Narula. It is a call to action that we hope will stay with you well after the show.

Rough translation of some of the lyrics:
Everybody is restless and in trouble
Why don’t you wake up?

Your clothes are torn, body is weak
Why don’t you have courage and strength?

The whole world is calling us thieves
Why aren’t your children (Indians) living comfortably?

You’re not left with any of that beauty that you used to have
Not the honor and nice appearance you had
Why don’t you have that anymore?

Get up brave lions!

III. Maghron

Maghron La is set to a song by the renowned all-women Pakistani qawwali group, the Sabri Sisters. This piece celebrates women's joy and liberation.

IV: Biryani

Biryani blends the rhythms of West African djembe and Punjabi dhol, layering sounds like the spices in its namesake dish. This piece is an exploration of what freedom feels and tastes like when shared in community.

Bhagwan Singh Gyanee with Sword

The Saloni Collection. Jaipur to USA. House of exclusive jewels, curation the best for Bay Area and Beyond.

Welcome to STUDIO VIKARA, where we believe that life is an ever-evolving journey, much like a candle. As it burns, its form subtly shifts and transforms, mirroring the ebb and flow of our personal experiences. Just as a candle’s flame illuminates the space around it, we aim to illuminate the path of self-discovery and growth.

At STUDIO VIKARA, we create candles that are more than just a source of light—they are moments of reflection, reminders to pause, and invitations to embrace life’s transformative nature. Each candle we craft is designed with intention, to help you accept the present moment, harness your inner strength, and move forward with grace and confidence. Our carefully curated fragrances are not just scents; they are designed to evoke emotions, spark inspiration, and encourage you to embrace both the stillness and the changes that come with life’s journey.

Our philosophy is rooted in the belief that true transformation begins within. We are here to offer more than just a product; we are here to remind you to pause, self-reflect, and reconnect with your innermost self. We believe that resilience is born from acceptance, that bold decisions are often necessary, and that it’s okay to take a step back when you need to.

At STUDIO VIKARA, we are dedicated to supporting you on your path to self-connection and self-growth. While we can't fix all the challenges you face, we’re here to remind you that you are capable of overcoming them. Through reflection, self-compassion, and a deep sense of inner strength, you will find your way forward. Whether it’s through quiet moments of stillness, a burst of bold inspiration, or simply taking the time to honor your journey, our intentionally crafted candles are here to create a calm and inspiring space for you.

Shakti.ism is a not-for-profit social enterprise with a mission to empower and employ women from marginalised communities (currently in India, Bangladesh and Nepal), especially those at risk of being impacted by gender-based violence. We focus on preserving local skills and traditions, to have a positive environmental impact by reducing waste, and to empower women by providing meaningful and stable employment along with fair living wages. This gives them the opportunity to become self-sustaining and maintain their independence. Shakti.ism partners with a handful of carefully selected grassroots NGOs that work to support and empower disadvantaged women and girls. We sponsor and provide livelihood skills training and additional health and wellness benefits where applicable. With our NGO partners, we ensure fair working conditions, safe supportive working and community spaces, and we encourage entrepreneurship to break the cycle of poverty. We also work with a UK-based social enterprise which trains and employs people with learning disabilities and/or Autism to fulfil most of our orders, supporting employment locally in addition to across South Asia.

Belle Vie Studios crafts exquisite handmade ceramic and polymer clay jewelry in the Bay Area. Each unique piece reflects vibrant cultures. Our collection features elegant earrings, intricate necklaces, and bold, quirky statement jewelry perfect for expressing individuality. We blend traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics, offering jewelry that is both beautiful and distinctive.

Karishma Bhagani is a producer, dramaturg and theatre-maker from Mombasa, Kenya. She is a Knight Hennessy scholar and a PhD candidate in the department of Theatre and Performance Studies with a minor in African Studies and Feminist, Gender and Sexuality Studies. Karishma’s work is aimed at contributing to the development of a sustainable creative economy within East Africa, as well as sharing African stories around the globe. She has worked with various community-based organizations and served as a Strategic Consultant for the LAM Sisterhood in Kenya, the associate producing director of the Nairobi Musical Theatre Initiative and the Associate Artistic Director for the Tebere Arts Foundation and the Kampala International Theatre Festival in Uganda. She was also a fellow at the Georgetown Lab for Global Performance and Politics (2019-2022). Select credits include: Dialect Coach for Twelfth Night (Public Theater), cultural consultant and dramaturg for Goddess: The Musical (Public Theater and Berkeley Rep), producer for Theatre for One: Nairobi Edition in conjunction with the Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi and Octopus Theatricals in New York. She graduated from New York University (NYU) with a B.F.A in Theatre and a B.A. in History.

Joti Singh is a dance creator and innovator, sprung from the U.S. American south to parents from northern India. She is the Co- Artistic Director of Duniya Dance and Drum Company. Joti began her dance training in Punjabi circles, carrying through her body the culture that’s in her blood and memory. As an adult, West African dance entered Joti’s purview, transforming her body’s imagination. Through this multilingual body, Joti explores where history intertwines with contemporary continuities of celebration and injustice. She created the performance “Half and Halves,” about the Punjabi-Mexican communities of California with collaborator Zenon Barron. She also choreographed for Michael Franti's "Once A Day" video. Joti has received support from the Creative Work Fund, the San Francisco Arts Commission, California Arts Council, the Alliance for California Traditional Arts, and more. Currently, Joti is creating the piece “Ghadar Geet: Blood and Ink,” about her great grandfather, Bhagwan Singh Gyanee's role in the Ghadar Party, based in San Francisco in the early 20th century, fighting for India’s independence from Britain.

Joti and her partner, musician Bongo Sidibe, lead bi-annual trips to Guinea and in 2012, opened the Duniya Center for Arts and Education in Conakry. She teaches Bhangra all over the SF Bay Area, including at Dance Mission Theater. Joti founded the World Dance program at the Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts in 2016. She holds an MA in South Asian Studies from UC Berkeley and a BA in English from Reed College.

Bongo Sidibe is a musician from Guinea, West Africa and moved to the Bay Area from Guinea in 2008. He studied drumming from master djembe player Mamady Keita beginning at age 9 and is a culture bearer preserving the rich musical traditions of West Africa. Bongo believes in the power of music to unite people and create a more inclusive world.

As the Co-Artistic Director of Duniya Dance and Drum Company, Bongo directs evening-length West African music and dance performances, including “The Madness of the Elephant” about Guinea’s first president, Sekou Touré. In addition to being a drummer, Bongo leads the band Bongo Sidibe and the TonTons, which has performed at the Joshua Tree Music Festival, The Chapel SF, Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, Laurel Street World Music Festival and more. He has also performed with Joan Baez, Cass McCombs, and the Dogon Lights. In addition to djembe, Bongo plays the dhol from Punjab, India and has composed and performed music for “Half and Halves” about the Punjabi-Mexican communities of California and “Ghadar Geet: Blood and Ink” about the revolutionary Ghadar Party from the early 20th century, which fought for India’s independence from Britain.

Bongo is a dedicated arts educator and teaches West African drumming with the SF Ballet, Ruth Asawa SF School of the Arts, LEAP, San Francisco Arts Education, East Bay Center for the Performing Arts, and Destiny Arts Center. He drums for a weekly West African dance class at Dance Mission, and many performances for cultural events. Bongo collaborated with the African Advocacy Network to present the African Arts Festival in 2013, 2016, 2019 and 2022. Bongo has received funding from the California Arts Council, Wattis Foundation, Haas Foundation, the Creative Work Fund and San Francisco Arts Commission to support his work in African communities of the Bay Area. He focuses on providing paid artistic work for many Guinean and Senegalese artists in the Bay Area. Bongo and his wife, Duniya’s other Co-Artistic Director Joti Singh, lead a bi-annual trip to Guinea, West Africa and founded the Duniya Center for Arts and Education in Conakry, where Guinean artists learn marketing, computer skills and English.

Shabnam studies traditional and popular dance styles and has been performing South Asian dance with Duniya Dance & Drum Company since 2011. Most notably, as part of the company, she has performed in Half and Halves: A Dance Exploration of the Punjabi-Mexican Communities of California, and Joti Singh's Ghadar Geet: Blood and Ink.

Sabrina Hager is a Bay Area native, who has danced and performed various types of dance since her teens. She happily joined DDDCo in late 2009, and enjoys continuing to learn new forms of dance and movement. She is a Physical Therapist working in Home Health in the East Bay. In addition to her Physical Therapy training, she is also Pilates trained and enjoys integrating and teaching strengthening and safe body mechanics for injury prevention.

Stephanie grew up doing ballet and gymnastics, she has since branched out to many other types of dance, having performed modern, tap, break dancing, Bharathanatyam, swing, and aerial dance. She has choreographed and performed at many venues throughout the Bay Area including the de Young Museum, Zaccho Dance Theater, Danceground Keriac, and the Russian Center. Stephanie also performs circus arts on flying trapeze and aerial hoop. 

Jessica Pfisterer has been dancing with Duniya since 2013. She loves the breadth of styles and performance opportunities Duniya provides - from school assemblies to full-length theater productions - as well as the amazing group of humans that make up the company. Growing up, she trained in Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Salsa, and Musical Theater. Jessica has also trained and performed Bachata and Salsa with In Lak'ech Dance Academy, as well as Samba with Energia do Samba, Zezeh Brazil, Brasarte, and Samba Sensation. Her focus is on dances of the African Diaspora and India, including Samba, Salsa, Bachata, West African, Afro-Cuban, Bollywood, and Bhangra. Jessica has a JD from Georgetown, an MA from Touro University, and works as a Marriage & Family Therapist when she's not dancing!

Maura moved to the Bay Area in 2009, she studied with local artists from West Africa and joined DDDC, with whom she performs and teaches students of all ages. Maura has been a Teaching Artist for The San Francisco Ballet’s Dances in Schools and Communities program (DISC) since 2013. She also teaches at the Bay Club SF where she offers West African inspired dance classes weekly.

Renuka is a fat queer Indian-American multidisciplinary artist and community organizer born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. As a writer-poet and dancer, Renuka knows that language — spoken and embodied — can help us face truths about ourselves and the world we live in, and then give us the strength to sustain the difficult work of liberation. She has engaged art as political storytelling through numerous programs and productions, including Novalia Collective's "this is my body" 2024 cohort, Duniya's 2025 presentation of Ghadar Geet, and most recently as a choreographer in Nava Dance's 2025 Unrehearsed Artist Residency Program. She is following this path in her Master's in Global Studies at UC Berkeley, where she is examining how yoga and classicized art forms engender both othering and belonging in the Indian American diaspora.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Priya (she/they) began her dance journey as a young Bharata Natyam student of Gurus Viji Prakash and Mythili Prakash, with whom she danced in story-driven performances at venues such as LACMA and Ford Amphitheatre. After moving to the Bay Area for college, they continued dancing with Stanford Bhangra and participated in national competitions across the state and country. During a short stint in London, Priya danced with BollyQueer and performed in the Bend it Like Bollywood BBC documentary.

Now based in Oakland, she has found her artistic and political home in Duniya Dance & Drum Company, a place to practice cross-cultural solidarity, intergenerational storytelling, and dance as a tool of resistance.

Outside of dance, Priya is an Oakland Unified teacher and strives to bring creativity and restorative justice into her classroom every day. They also enjoy walking around Lake Merritt, spicing popcorn, and eating samples at the farmers market. ◡̈

Oakland-based multidisciplinary dancer Danielle Smith (she/her) brings a vibrant energy and a deep commitment to social engagement to her artistry. Hailing from "the 216" (Cleveland, Ohio), her diverse experiences include a 2023 BASE Residency with PUSH Dance Company, a 2022 HART Residency with Zaccho Dance Theatre, and performing alongside Afghan pop singer and women's rights activist Aryana Sayeed in 2024.

For Danielle, movement is a powerful tool for building community and sparking crucial conversations on social justice issues. Whether on stage or in the workshop setting, she cultivates meaningful connections with audiences and fellow dancers that extend beyond the studio. Her distinct choreographic voice, a dynamic blend of hip hop, afro-beats, stepping, and modern dance, was cultivated after graduating with a B.A. in Dance and Social Justice from the University of San Francisco in 2018 and has been presented nationally since 2019. Balancing her performance work with Duniya and PUSH Dance Company in San Francisco, Danielle also contributes her skills to an immigration nonprofit, highlighting her multifaceted dedication to both the arts and social impact.

Rasika Kumar is an accomplished Bharatanatyam performer and choreographer. Her innovative solo, group and collaborative choreography has been featured in venues throughout the SF Bay Area and abroad. She began working with Joti Singh and the Duniya Dance and Drum Company in 2023 for their production “Ghadar Geet” and is thrilled to be collaborating with them again.

Born and raised in the California Bay Area, she is very active in the Indian classical music circles and has performed at distinguished venues alongside acclaimed musicians.

Tina's repertoire is notably diverse and includes raagas, ghazals, Punjabi folk, and Bollywood hits. In recent years, she has furthered her musical spectrum by experimenting with the fusion of hip-hop, trance and bhangra.

Hello, I'm Phoenix, a black American male dancer from San Francisco, currently a student Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts (SOTA). With roots in self-taught hip-hop, my artistic journey has grown since joining SOTA. I've had the opportunity to explore different styles of dance , including Afro-Brazilian, West African, vogue, and etc. This expansion has led to exciting collaborations, such as joining the Afro-Brazilian group Fogo Na Ropa and choreographing for Mission Fusion. I've also had the privilege of performing in notable events, including the Maya Angelou Monument "A Portrait of a Phenomenal Woman" opening with Youth Speaks. Through dance, I've discovered the importance of creativity and self expression, and I'm grateful for those discoveries.

Neil Prasad started his tabla training in Fiji at a young age of 10 years. After moving to the US he continued his training under Ustad Salar Nader, disciple for Late Ustad Zakir Hussain. Neil performs with many artists and genres in the bay area such as classical, ghazal, qawali, religious, and fusion music.

Eric Bli Bi Gore is musician from Ivory Coast, West Africa. Starting at the impressionable age of six, Eric showed an unmatched maturity and affinity toward drumming and tradition in his village–Guezanufla.

Over the last twenty years, he has performed as a professional musician throughout the Africa, Asia, South America, Europe and the United States.

Born in Fiji Islands and raised in Sacramento California. He's a talented musician accompanying many artists including Ghazal, Religious, Dance, Qawwali, Bhangra, and Bollywood Bands

My name is Risa Haile, and I’ve been dancing for six years. I started out at studio 121, and I’m currently part of the World Dance Department at Ruth Asawa School of the Arts, where I’ve learned styles including Afro-Brazilian, West African, Dancehall, Polynesian, and more. I’ve also danced with Fogo Na Roupa and was a member of ODC’s SEEDS youth company.