Entertainment / Emerging Talents and Established Icons: Celebrate South Asian Heritage Month with Us!

Emerging Talents and Established Icons: Celebrate South Asian Heritage Month with Us!

Entertainment May 01, 2024

by Mehak Kapoor | Features Editor - Entertainment

South Asian heritage comprises of a diverse fabric of culture, history, and tradition that has developed over thousands of years. From the ancient civilizations of the Indus Valley to the lively diaspora communities worldwide, South Asian heritage mirrors its people’s resilience, diversity, and ingenuity.

Celebrating South Asian heritage is an opportunity to honour the rich tapestry of cultures, traditions, and contributions of South Asian communities to the world. Here at ANOKHI, we kick off our celebration of the South Asian Heritage Month by honouring the South Asian contributions in the realm of art, spanning from music to art to theatre to entertainment/cinema, where talent flourishes boundlessly. Rising stars of South Asian descent are making waves across various creative domains, infusing fresh perspectives and nuances into their craft. While the legacy of seasoned music artists remains indelible in our memories, it’s equally crucial to acknowledge and appreciate the emerging talents who are reshaping the landscape of art in nuanced ways.

In our digital era, characterized by the prevalence of social media, we find ourselves increasingly interconnected with individuals worldwide. This global network has provided a platform for many to delve into their diverse identities, experiment with new ones, and rekindle connections with their roots. We observe a growing number of South Asian rappers and musicians boldly embracing their multicultural backgrounds and articulating their experiences in unprecedented ways.

These artists skillfully navigate the cultural nuances and in-between spaces to craft a unique and authentic identity and voice for themselves:

The World of Vocals and Melodies: Music!

AASHIR WAJAHAT

From a viral standpoint, the sibling duo Aashir Wajahat and Nayel’s track Sadqay has already succeeded significantly. Teaming up with Nehaal Naseem, known for the hit song Ijazat, the approximately three-minute-long track debuted alongside a music video. Since its release, Sadqay has garnered an impressive 3.8 million views on YouTube and has secured the top spot on Spotify Pakistan’s Weekly Charts. Additionally, global streaming numbers have surged, with daily streams jumping from 18,500 to nearly 400,000 by the end of February.

RIANJALI

Rianjali, a former case manager for domestic violence, stumbled upon her ‘pinch me’ moment when she caught the eye of Oscar-winning musician A.R. Rahman, known for his work in Slumdog Millionaire, and was invited to collaborate with him. She has worked alongside renowned artists like U2, Bishop Briggs, and Shawn Mendes. Her journey is quite unconventional, marked by chance encounters, familial challenges, and struggles with vocal polyps. However, despite these obstacles, she has emerged as a prominent figure, particularly within the South Asian community. Her collaborations with A.R. Rahman include projects such as the award-winning Netflix documentary Daughters of Destiny, Amazon Prime’s Harmony, and the virtual reality film Le Musk. She has also ventured into film production with her company Mild Mannered & Timid, and one of their productions even won the South Asian Film Festival of America. Currently, she is two years into producing her first feature documentary, with Vanessa Roth serving as executive producer. Rianjali’s journey reflects her passion for film and music, as she continues to carve her niche in this unexpected realm. Rianjali’s path seems destined for the world of music.

JONITA GANDHI

Despite being rejected from Canadian Idol, Jonita Gandhi’s journey proves nothing can deter one from reaching their ultimate destination. For her, that destination was the enchanting realm of music. I’ve enjoyed hearing Jonita Gandhi sing on Yonge Street in Downtown Toronto. Her voice is truly captivating, and she has delivered some unforgettable Bollywood hits. In the past ten years, Jonita Gandhi has risen to Bollywood stardom, contributing hit songs such as, What Jhumka, Arabic Kuthu – Halamithi Habibo, The Break Up Song, etc. Born in New Delhi, India, and raised in Brampton, Ontario, she straddles two cultural worlds, and her single, Love Like That, featuring Pakistani-American songwriter and composer Ali Sethi, beautifully blends American pop with Indian folk influences. Jonita recently crossed paths with Ed Sheeran in Mumbai, sparking speculation about a potential collaboration between the two incredible artists. One of my personal favourites is It Is What It Is (Madhaniya). I’m certain you’ll be captivated by her soulful vocals.

RAVEENA AURORA

If you know who was the first Indian woman to perform at Coachella in 2022, I am certain you would know her name, Raveena Aurora. The talented singer was raised between Queens and Connecticut by parents of Indian Sikh descent. Her music is a fusion of contemporary R&B with elements drawn from her South Asian heritage. Growing up, she was surrounded by Bollywood tunes, which sparked her musical interest. At the age of 13, she began writing songs and later delved into experimenting with different musical genres. Renowned for her comforting R&B and soul melodies, Asha’s Awakening (studio album) wasn’t merely a genre shift but a manifestation of her journey towards self-discovery.

The World of Art: Lights, Camera, Action!

MAITREYI RAMAKRISHNAN

A Canadian actress of Tamil Sri Lankan descent, she gained widespread acclaim for her leading role as Devi Vishwakumar in the Netflix comedy series Never Have I Ever, co-created by Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher. Her breakthrough performance in the show was lauded for its portrayal of a first-generation Indian American teenager navigating high school life while grappling with personal challenges and cultural identity. I’ve enjoyed the series twice, captivated by the character brought to life by Maitreyi. Devi is depicted as a clever, ambitious, and occasionally impulsive protagonist who finds herself in amusing and relatable predicaments.

LILLY SINGH

Lilly Singh rose to prominence through her YouTube channel, where she produced comedic skits and vlogs that frequently revolved around her life as a woman of Indian heritage. Beyond her online presence, Lilly has transitioned to traditional media. In 2019, she made history as the first woman of Indian descent to host a late-night television talk show in the United States, taking the helm of the NBC program A Little Late with Lilly Singh. The founder of Anokhi Life, Raj Girn has chatted and interviewed Lilly Singh on reaching The Dream Of ‘Canada’s Got Talent. Also, she has been graced with the Anokhi Awards in the past.

RAYMOND ABLACK

If you’re familiar with Ginny & Georgia, you likely spotted the talented actor Raymond Ablack, portraying the charming Indian character, Joe. A Canadian actor and comedian, Ablack hails from Toronto, Ontario, and was raised by parents of Indo-Guyanese heritage. Renowned for his portrayal of Sav Bhandari in Degrassi: The Next Generation, he has since appeared in various popular shows including Orphan Black, Narcos, Shadowhunters, Maid, Ginny & Georgia, and Workin’ Moms.

RAHUL KOHLI

Rahul Kohli, an English actor, has portrayed various memorable characters including Dr. Ravi Chakrabarti in iZombie, Owen Sharma in The Haunting of Bly Manor, Sheriff Hassan in Midnight Mass, Napoleon Usher in The Fall of the House of Usher, and Sunil Bhandari in Death and Other Details.

The World of Emotions Through Paint: Art!

MAQBOOL FIDA HUSAIN – M.F. HUSAIN

Regardless of one’s familiarity with art, brushes, colours, or paintings, the name of the legendary artist, M.F. Husain, resonates worldwide. Born in Maharashtra, India, he spent his final moments in London, England, United Kingdom. He is regarded as one of India’s most esteemed and iconic modernist painters in the post-Independence era, M.F. Husain played a pivotal role in revolutionizing Indian art. He was a key figure in the Bombay Progressive Artists’ Group, established in 1947. His body of work aimed to portray a sense of “Indianness” aligned with a contemporary and secular cultural identity.

M.F. Husain Painting Image Source: Instagram

VASUDEO SANTU GAITONDE – V.S. GAITONDE

Recognized as one of India’s noteworthy modern abstract painters, Vasudeo S. Gaitonde was instrumental in a movement of artistic renewal that emerged after Independence, although he did not formally join the Progressive Artists’ Group (PAG). Born in Nagpur, Maharashtra, the painter passed away in New Delhi, India. In addition to incorporating traditional Indian painting methods, Gaitonde drew inspiration from the German Expressionist Paul Klee, whose work greatly influenced his artistic expression throughout the 1950s and early 1960s.

V.S. Gaitonde Painting Image Source: Instagram

RAGHAV BABBAR

Raghav Babbar, a rising newcomer in the industry, made headlines as the youngest participant on the auction debut list in 2022. Originally from Rohtak, India, the artist now resides and works in London, England, United Kingdom. In 2022, at Sotheby’s in Singapore, his painting Memory is a Permanent Luxury (2020) achieved remarkable success, exceeding its mid-estimate by a significant margin and reaching six figures. Presently, the artist is exhibiting some of his latest paintings at Art Basel in Basel, Hong Kong, from March 28-30, 2024. Additionally, his recent work is on display at ICA, Miami, until April 2024. I sensed a distinct touch of originality in his art; each piece seemed to possess a voice of its own, resonating with authenticity and depth.

Raghav Babbar Painting Image Source: Instagram

YUKIMASA IDA

Following his graduation from the Tokyo University of the Arts in 1990, Japanese artist Yukimasa Ida has established a consistent and robust presence in the six-figure range at auction. During his visit to India, he engaged in live drawing sessions, capturing people in real-time and evoking a sense of deja vu with each stroke of his brush. In 2021, the artist became part of Mariane Ibrahim’s roster, securing global representation.

Yukimasa Ida Painting Image Source: Instagram

Main Image Source: Instagram

Mehak Kapoor | Features Editor - Entertainment

Author

Mehak Kapoor (@makeba_93) is an entertainment and lifestyle journalist with over a decade of experience in anchoring and content creation for TV and digital platforms. Passionate about storytelling and factual reporting, she enjoys engaging with diverse audiences. Outside of work, she finds solace i...

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Emerging Talents and Established Icons: Celebrate South Asian Heritage Month with Us!

by Mehak Kapoor | Features Editor - Entertainment

Mehak Kapoor | Features Editor - Entertainment

COMMENTS

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