Vidya Dehejia
Vidya Dehejia is a preeminent scholar of Indian and South Asian art history, formerly the Barbara Stoler Miller Professor Emerita at Columbia University. Her career of over 60 years has profoundly shaped the field through groundbreaking research and acclaimed exhibitions, including her highly celebrated showcases of Chola Dynasty bronzes. An expert in ancient Buddhist architecture […]
Ali Akbar Khan
Ali Akbar Khan (1922–2009) was a legendary Hindustani classical musician and sarod virtuoso. Trained in the Maihar gharana tradition, he became a central figure in bringing Indian classical music to the West. A pioneer, he was the first Indian musician to record an LP album in the United States and to perform the sarod on […]
Anoushka Shankar
Anoushka Shankar carried the sitar into contemporary global concert culture while expanding the artistic legacy of Indian classical music. Through acclaimed recordings, international tours, and multiple Grammy-nominated projects, she introduced new audiences to the instrument while exploring collaborations that bridged classical, contemporary, and world music traditions. Her work demonstrated that Indian classical music could remain […]
Reena Esmail
Reena Esmail built a distinctive compositional career by bringing together Hindustani and Western classical traditions. Through works commissioned and performed by major orchestras, choirs, and chamber ensembles, she created new musical forms that drew from both traditions without subordinating either. Her compositions introduced American audiences to innovative cross-cultural collaborations while expanding the repertoire of leading […]
Vijay Gupta
Vijay Gupta combined artistic excellence with social engagement to expand the role of classical music in public life. A violinist and founder of Street Symphony, he brought live performances and music education to incarcerated, unhoused, and marginalized communities in Los Angeles. His work challenged traditional assumptions about who classical music was for and where it […]
Bibhu Mohapatra
Bibhu Mohapatra is a New York-based luxury fashion designer whose work has placed Indian American craftsmanship at the center of American style. Born in Rourkela, Odisha, he moved to the United States in 1996, earning a master’s degree from Utah State University before enrolling at the Fashion Institute of Technology, where he received the Critics’ […]
Vijay Iyer
Vijay Iyer emerged as one of the most influential figures in contemporary American jazz, blending improvisation, composition, and Indian rhythmic traditions into a distinctive musical language. His work challenged conventional boundaries between genres while expanding the possibilities of modern jazz performance and scholarship. In 2013, he received a MacArthur Fellowship in recognition of his artistic […]
Priyanka Ganjoo
Priyanka Ganjoo is the founder and CEO of Kulfi Beauty, a trailblazing cosmetics brand designed to celebrate and represent South Asian complexions. Before launching her entrepreneurial journey in 2021, Ganjoo spent years building a robust foundation in corporate beauty strategy, product development, and merchandising at industry giants like Estée Lauder and Ipsy. Driven by the […]
Falguni and Shane Peacock
Falguni Shane Peacock built a globally recognized fashion label known for its elaborate craftsmanship, bold silhouettes, and theatrical designs. Their work gained international visibility through collaborations with major American musicians, performers, and entertainers, bringing South Asian design influences into mainstream popular culture. By creating costumes for some of the world’s most visible stages, they helped […]
Naeem Khan
Naeem Khan built an internationally recognized fashion brand by combining intricate Indian craftsmanship with American luxury design. Drawing on traditions such as embroidery, beadwork, and textile artistry, he created garments worn by First Lady Michelle Obama and numerous prominent cultural and political figures. His work introduced South Asian design influences to some of the most […]