I miss you! Curating for you is honestly one of my favourite things. Someone close to me once said āMehfil has layers, like an onionā. And I agree, let me tell you why.
Mangoes in Hand. A shot from a concept shoot for our Gajrey Workshop Series.
You come for our events. But when you look closely, you find that we also host a newsletter. You look again, and you learn we also dabble in storytelling content.
I believe firmly in curating authentic and meaningful spaces, that celebrate our culture and our identities rooted here in the diaspora. Our events, newsletter and my Mehfil Digest seriesā all of it is my way of holding space for us. Authentically. Intentionally. And with so much love. Always. I truly hope you enjoy all of these things.
P.S Mark your calendars for Saturday, Oct 11th! Weāre bringing our highly requested Gajrey Workshop back. Bring your moms, grandmothers, friends and/or partners. Weāre really excited about this one hehe.
Love,
Armish
Thanks for reading Mehfil Newsletter š§”! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
āØ Mehfil Digest
Mehfil Digest is a digital series where I (Armish šš½) bring you a deep dive into the rich world of South Asian culture and history, in about a minute.
Last rant? Sultanaās Dream: Where Women Ran the World & Men took a Back Seat
š In the Spotlight
Our dear and beautiful friend Chand is showcasing her art to the world. This is truly so special.
Who we are is a mosaic of those who came before us.
Passed down from generation to generation, knowledge, wisdom, and traditions are preserved through cultural exchange. A spiritual connection binds us to the past, linking us to those who came before through art and storytelling.
Working and creating with intention allows for deeper reflection, while also giving what has been lost a place to belong once more. With reference to the Partition of India, forced migration, immigration, colourism, and more, multidisciplinary artist, Chand Bhangal seeks to share the stories of herself and her family through traditional South Asian art forms.
leave me with my ancestors is a love letter to Punjab
Mehfil exists due to our very personal experience of feeling too South Asian for some people and spaces and not South Asian enough for others. All of us in the diaspora feel this. This section of our newsletter will focus on our experiences around this notion. We hope that within these stories, you will find a safe space.
A Sweetness of Heritage
Personal Reflections by Areej Hassan ā Writer & Mehfil volunteer based in the GTA ā
āHe visits my town once a year.
He fills my mouth with kisses and nectar.
I spend all my money on him.
Who, girl, your man?
No, a mango.ā
ā Amir Khusrau, In the Bazaar of Love: The Selected Poetry of Amir Khusrau
Every summer as the heat sets in and the days get longer, my favourite produce comes to town. Just like the subject in Khusrauās poem, I patiently await mango season so I can gorge myself on the bright sweetness of a Pakistani mango.
Donāt get me wrong, I'll shop the produce aisle of my local grocery store and enjoy the on-sale fair to satiate my mango cravings, but for me nothing is better than the Pakistani mango, specifically my favourite of the region, the chaunsa. Like sinking your teeth into the golden light of a warm sunset to me, nothing compares to the sweetness and aroma of the chaunsa. As I carefully sliced a chaunsa mango from our (frankly expensive) box scoured from the ethnic grocery store, I marvelled at the miraculous experience of eating something that had travelled an ocean to find me.
Planted on the other side of the world and grown in soil that is unfamiliar to me, I could not help but savour it as a taste of comfort, of home. Journeying under airplane seats and the backs of trucks, being sold out of local desi stores or the back of someoneās car, despite the distance and circumstances I was sitting there peeling this fruit. You canāt help but feel like itās a sweetness destined for you. Whatās meant for you will never miss you. Itās a thought that I carry with me whenever Iām thinking of missed opportunities and lost cultural heritage.
For me, the chaunsa mango is more than just a sweeter mango. To me it represents both the act of looking back, of appreciating the heritage I come from, as well as looking forward towards the many times Iāll taste the sweetness and joy I am meant to.
By sharing community-based stories, we hope they will make you feel seen and find a home amongst them. We surely do.
Want to share a story with us? Please email us at itsourmehfil@gmail.com or submit via form below š§”
š Book:Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq In the twelve stories of Heart Lamp, Banu Mushtaq exquisitely captures the everyday lives of women and girls in Muslim communities in southern India.
Short stories that explore the everyday lives of Muslim women in Southern India. Originally published in the Kannada language, recently translated in English.
Themes: Feminism, motherhood, patriarchal structures, navigating cultural expectations, oppression
Shreea is a Indian American R&B artist whose sound is reminiscent of desi music alongside contemporary R&B. She cites Etta James, Amy Winehouse, Shreya Ghoshal and Lata Mangeshkar as her sonic inspirations and plays a big role within the creative process for her music.
She notes that her new debut album, Cruel Intentions, delves into themes such as the āpassage of time, and how, for some, it heals, and, for others, it rots.ā Itās a bold debut that really shows you Shreeaās range and vision. You can find her on all streaming platforms so be sure to check the new album out!
Some links in this section are affiliate links. We only share what we love ā and if you make a purchase, you help support Mehfil at no extra cost.
ā Heritage Highlights: Community Observances
Onam (Thiruvonam) (expected by Sep 5th)ā A harvest festival celebrating the return of the mythical King Mahabali. Celebrated with grand meals (Onam Sadhya), floral decorations (Pookalam), and traditional games and dances.
š» Lets Work Together?
Weāre always looking to collaborate with like-minded individuals, brands and organizations who align with our mission of creating meaningful spaces for the South Asian diaspora.
From Laya to Loom is an intimate evening of Indian classical music, unfolding in a close, listening-centered space, with sounds provided by Third Space Music.
Join us for the launch of our cocktail recipe zine, Chasing Summer, a celebration of sun-soaked days, music fuelled conversations, and the joy of making something together.
Punjabi Art Collective is a dynamic community space dedicated to uplifting and legitimizing the work of Punjabi creatives. We finalized to hold a PACnic Potluck because we want Punjabi individuals to connect with one another in an organic and laidback way!
Many of us miss the flavours of home, we thought why not we bring a piece to you? Weāre hosting our next family-style feast to celebrate both Onam and Durja Pujo. DM to reserve.
Join us for an intimate Dinner party to savor flavors from southern India at a cosy space. You along with other diners will experience a take on fusion flavors of South India.
Spend your afternoon with us in the kitchen as we cook up a comforting classic: Karahi Chicken. This isnāt just about recipesāitās about stepping into the heart of Desi cooking and learning the everyday basics that bring our kitchens to life.
At Mehfil, our goal is to tell our stories. Curate our spaces. For the new age South Asian diaspora, as we are!
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