'Saari Baat' means 'the whole story'. 'Saari' (or 'saree') also refers to an unstitched garment traditionally worn by South Asian women. Historically, it has been a gender-neutral clothing, and even today, it remains a drape for self-expression and identity, as well as fluid, non-binary clothing. The exhibition's title draws our attention to the nuanced, intersectional narratives of primarily marginalized communities in which clothing is explored for liberatory practices to reclaim identity, resist oppressive norms, and create spaces for healing and transformations.
It features the works of fourteen artists from diverse ethnic backgrounds and gender identities who explore clothing, accessories, and body adornment to tell the stories of resilience that are omitted or erased from the dominant narratives. The show includes collaborative wearable work by local community members from the San Ramon Valley, fostering a sense of belonging and collective identity. It embodies histories and experiences and serves as a living archive for preserving memories and visualizing imaginary futures to defy structural domination.
It features the works of fourteen artists from diverse ethnic backgrounds and gender identities who explore clothing, accessories, and body adornment to tell the stories of resilience that are omitted or erased from the dominant narratives. The show includes collaborative wearable work by local community members from the San Ramon Valley, fostering a sense of belonging and collective identity. It embodies histories and experiences and serves as a living archive for preserving memories and visualizing imaginary futures to defy structural domination.
Featured Artists
Featured Artists
Badri Valian & Kathryn Vercillo
Cynthia Brannvall
Ellen Bepp
Indrani Nayar-Gall
Irene Wibawa
Kathy Fujii-Oka
Maggie Yee
Na Omi Judy Shintani
Namita Paul
Nirmal Raja
Rea Lynn de Guzman
Reiko Fujii
Shailly Sharma Bhatnagar
Collaborative Community Art Project
Aditya Senji, Azal Shaikh, Chaitanya Verma, Archana Patil, Fatema Shaikh, Mishel Rehman, Riya Verghese, Rema Vadamala, Ruchi Mehta, Saloni Sharma, Sheetal Tejwani, Vaani Uppal, Vibhooti Juneja
Invitation design by Sanjay Bhatnagar -Conte Infomedia
Badri Valian & Kathryn Vercillo
Cynthia Brannvall
Ellen Bepp
Indrani Nayar-Gall
Irene Wibawa
Kathy Fujii-Oka
Maggie Yee
Na Omi Judy Shintani
Namita Paul
Nirmal Raja
Rea Lynn de Guzman
Reiko Fujii
Shailly Sharma Bhatnagar
Collaborative Community Art Project
Aditya Senji, Azal Shaikh, Chaitanya Verma, Archana Patil, Fatema Shaikh, Mishel Rehman, Riya Verghese, Rema Vadamala, Ruchi Mehta, Saloni Sharma, Sheetal Tejwani, Vaani Uppal, Vibhooti Juneja
Invitation design by Sanjay Bhatnagar -Conte Infomedia
Programs in Conjunction with the show
Saari Baat is a multilingual Poetry Performance that activates the selected artworks from our visual showcase, Saari Baat: Untold Stories of Resilience. Through words, movements, and music, it weaves narratives by artists and poets of the San Francisco Bay Area that speak about our journeys, struggles, and triumphs. It's experimental in nature, embedded with imagination and creativity!
Featured Poets
Azal Shaikh
Anuradha Gupta
Dolly Parikh
Kathy Fujii-Oka
Lakhvinder Kaur, Lucky
Namrita Yuhanna
Pallavi Sharma
Saswati Das
Shailaja Dixit
Featured Artists
Irene Wibawa
Ellen Bepp
Na Omi Judy Shintani
Nirmal Raja
Shailly Sharma Bhatnagar
Collaborative Community Artwork artists - Aditya Senji, Azal Shaikh, Chaitanya Verma, Archana Patil, Fatema Shaikh, Mishel Rehman, Riya Verghese, Rema Vadamala, Ruchi Mehta, Saloni Sharma, Sheetal Tejwani, Vaani Uppal, Vibhooti Juneja
VASTRA: A Performative exploration of Clothes, Caste and Culture
Presented by Natyshri Guru Smt Debjani Chatterjee, Prabaha Kalabhoomi
Online Event on Zoom
October 17th, 7:30 p.m. (Pacific Time)
October 18th, 8:00 am (Indian Time)
Registration: [email protected]
Presented by Natyshri Guru Smt Debjani Chatterjee, Prabaha Kalabhoomi
Online Event on Zoom
October 17th, 7:30 p.m. (Pacific Time)
October 18th, 8:00 am (Indian Time)
Registration: [email protected]
Natyashri Smt. Debjani Chatterjee is a Bharatnatyam danseuse, academician and teacher. She has carved her niche in the classical dance world of Bengal through her renditions of the traditional essence of her art form. She is the founder-director of Prabaha Kalabhoomi, Kolkata, where she trains enthusiasts on the finer nuances of her art form to propagate Indian culture and classicism. Some of her most recent awards include the Bhavalatika Award, Natyaacharya Award, Asia Icon Award, Bengal Excellence Awards 2025, Natyamani 2024, Gurujyoti 2023, Amravati Yuva Puraskaar 2022.
In her presentation, Debjani will focus on her performance project, Vastra, which sheds light on the untold stories of Nangeli, the Mulakkaram, and the Channar revolt, where the women of the Nadar clan fought to assert their right to cover their bodies and claim their dignity. She will talk about the concept of how clothes are far more than mere fabric and how, through her performative work, she pays tribute to the courageous changemakers whose struggles and resilience paved the way for gender equality, basic human dignity, and the right to self-expression, challenging societal, cultural, and communal norms.
In her presentation, Debjani will focus on her performance project, Vastra, which sheds light on the untold stories of Nangeli, the Mulakkaram, and the Channar revolt, where the women of the Nadar clan fought to assert their right to cover their bodies and claim their dignity. She will talk about the concept of how clothes are far more than mere fabric and how, through her performative work, she pays tribute to the courageous changemakers whose struggles and resilience paved the way for gender equality, basic human dignity, and the right to self-expression, challenging societal, cultural, and communal norms.
Photo: Natyshri Guru Smt Debjani Chatterjee, Prabaha Kalabhoomi
Our Community Partners
Rewire Community
Rewire Community is a grassroots nonprofit dedicated to preventing and breaking cycles of gender-based violence (GBV).
We serve survivors of violence, especially those impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking, through ongoing monetary aid, in-kind essentials and other resources. In addition, we hold a unique focus on GBV preventive, and bring people together using theater, music, dance, support groups, open mics and workshops, inspiring education, reflection and change to create violence and prejudice free communities.
Our vision is to build empowered, inclusive circles of care, that ripple into waves of change with lasting social impact.
Rewire Community is a grassroots nonprofit dedicated to preventing and breaking cycles of gender-based violence (GBV).
We serve survivors of violence, especially those impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking, through ongoing monetary aid, in-kind essentials and other resources. In addition, we hold a unique focus on GBV preventive, and bring people together using theater, music, dance, support groups, open mics and workshops, inspiring education, reflection and change to create violence and prejudice free communities.
Our vision is to build empowered, inclusive circles of care, that ripple into waves of change with lasting social impact.
PFLAG Danville San Ramon Valley
Founded in 1973, PFLAG is the first and largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for the LGBTQ+ community, their families, caregivers and friends.
PFLAG Danville-San Ramon Valley is the local chapter which supports the community through support groups, events, trainings and advocacy. Its mission is to create a caring, just and affirming world for LGBTQ+ people.
