Past Events
2022
In Your Own Words: On April 29th, 2022 Tasveer Youth Council, with support from the WA State Department of Health, presented a FREE virtual creative writing workshop, with an interactive lesson plan to coach South Asian youth (age 10 – 18 years old) on how to express their feelings and experiences during the pandemic.
The pandemic has dramatically changed the life of many young people, disrupting their schooling, exacerbating mental health issues, and revamping routines. At the same time, the world witnessed some of the largest social movements and experienced deep reflection on the inequities that plagued society. As we witness history in the making, we want to capture the voices and perspectives of our South Asian youth to document the impact of the global pandemic. What has been lost? What was gained?
2021
Tasveer South Asian Film Festival screenings: In October 2021 Tasveer compiled three short films made by and about South Asian youth, then hosted post-film discussions moderated by TYC students. The Tasveer Youth Council Shorts Package featured three young female filmmakers whose work centered on issues and experiences common to South Asian youth in America. Films included:
- Roti (dir. Ariella Khan): Homecoming is around the corner and Sarah needs a dress. Though she has the perfect one in mind, her mother insists it is too short and takes it upon herself to sew up a solution. With the help of some sick beats, fresh roti and a well-meaning but overlooked classmate Henry, Sarah finds the beauty in the different parts of her identity.
- Winning in America (dir. Amrita Singh): Aishwarya Narayanan clashes with her immigrant coach-father and questions the meaning of success while vying for a spot at the prestigious National Spelling Bee.
- Perfect Daughter (dir. Jasleen Kaur): When a highly respectable family moves into the neighborhood, a young woman grows suspicious of her new neighbors’ seemingly flawless daughter.
“How to Have Difficult Conversations with Youth”: On May 24th Tasveer Youth Council offered the seminar for parents and educators addressing vital mental health issues during Mental Health Awareness Month, and crafted to be culturally relevant for South Asian teens.
2020
Virtual Introduction to Hip Hop Workshop: On September 17, 2020 Tasveer Youth Council hosted a Virtual Introduction to Hip Hop workshop. Led by the talented and well-known South Asian hip hop artist Ariv (Vozhi) Adiaman, in this workshop, you learned about the origins of Hip Hop culture in the Black community and how Hip Hop has come to be one of the most important and defining elements of American pop culture. Youth learned how Hip Hop connects to certain South Asian artistic styles, culture, and performance both currently and historically. Vozhi taught this highly engaging and interactive workshop. He also covered the five elements of Hip Hop and focused on fun, interactive activities, and music creation.
Introduction to Hip Hop Workshop: On February 22, 2020 Tasveer Youth Council hosted an Introduction to Hip Hop workshop from 1-4 pm at the historic University Heights Center. During this workshop, led by the talented and well-known South Asian Hip Hop artists Jamil Suleman and Ariv (Vozhi) Adiaman, youth learned about the origins of Hip Hop culture in the Black community and how Hip Hop has come to be one of the most important and defining elements of American pop culture. Youth learned how Hip Hop connects to certain South Asian artistic styles, culture, and performance both currently and historically. Jamil and Ariv covered the five elements of Hip Hop and focused on fun, interactive activities, and music creation.
2019
MOHAI Beyond Bollywood Field Trip: On December 5th, 2019 Tasveer Youth Council took youth, ages 11-17, to the Museum of History and Industry to see the exhibit Beyond Bollywood: Indian Americans Shape the Nation. This groundbreaking exhibition traced the roots and trajectories of Indians as they immigrated from India to the United States. We also looked at the rich heritage and cultural contributions of Indians and their families in the Pacific Northwest, including the founding of Tasveer by Rita Meher and Farah Nousheen.
TSAFF 2019 TYC Screening “The Price of Free”: On Saturday, September 28th 2019, Tasveer screened the very special film “The Price of Free” at the Seattle Art Museum. This film was a unique, youth-focused film that Tasveer Youth Council promoted with its youth members and networks. This film depicted how Nobel Peace Prize-winning Kailash Satyarthi (who was in attendance at the screening) left a career as an electrical engineer and started Bachpan Bachao Andolan (Save the Childhood Movement) to rescue more than 87,000 children from slavery.
Filmmaking workshop August 26/27: On August 26 and 27th, 2019, Tasveer and Blanket Fort Films invited youth ages 11 and up to learn the hows and whys of making films. Both workshop days were led by the talented and experienced Brody Willis, who offered an introduction to the theory of filmmaking and the tools and technology involved. The workshop ended with the youth engaging in a rough-cut screening and final editing session.
West Side Story: On Thursday, July 11th 2019, Tasveer Youth Council (TYC) took youth aged 12 and up to see the iconic American musical West Side Story at the 5th Avenue Theater in Seattle. This production showcased local talented youth as part of the 5th Avenue Theater’s Rising Star Project. This show was entirely student performed and run by a student technical crew. It was also supported by students tasked with marketing, development, production and casting.
Improv Workshop, AAINA 2019: On Saturday, April 13th, 2019 at Seattle Art Museum, Tasveer Youth Council organized a Youth Improv Workshop with talented facilitators Archana Iyer and Siddhant Sharma. Participants discovered the basic vocabulary and techniques behind the art of improv through scenes, games and exercises in a fun, supportive environment.
2019 January LitFest Workshop ‘What’s in your name?’: On January 12, 2019, Tasveer Youth Council conducted a workshop at the Hugo House entitled “What’s in your name?” During this workshop, which was part of the 2019 Tasveer LitFest, youth attendees were encouraged to explore the meaning and significance of their names, as well as some of the challenges that come with having South Asian names in the United States, such as mispronunciation by teachers and classmates. The workshop culminated with several attendees telling the stories of their names to the general storytelling event sponsored by Tasveer LitFest, KUOW, and Pratidwani.
