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“Nothing Less than a Masterclass!”

The 6th edition of Art Forum’s South Asian Literature and Art Festival kicks off at Menlo College in Atherton (CA) the weekend of September 13 and 14. Now in its 6th edition, SALA 2025, recognized as a platform for cultural diplomacy and the exchange of ideas, offers intimate conversations with globally renowned names in literature, filmmaking, the arts, and sciences, as well as more from South Asia and the diaspora.

SALA 2025’s theme, “Thoughts without Borders,“ brings a star-studded cast of celebrated speakers at curated sessions – each a masterclass with trailblazing voices and panelists who have charted new spheres of influence in their fields.

Audiences can look forward to sessions with eminent Nobel Laureate and economist Abhijit Banerjee who will offer insights on how inequalities shape our present and future; the renowned modern mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik on how mythological stories affect our modern lives; famed Bollywood filmmakers Kabir Khan (Bajrangi Bhaijaan) and Kiran Rao (Laapataa Ladies) who will share how blockbuster entertainment can still be political; prominent Bay area novelist featured in the Reese Witherspoon book club Alka Joshi; Bay Area Michelin Star restaurateur Ajay Walia; and Associate Curator at San Francisco’s Asian Art Museum curator Padma Dorje Matiland.

Speaker Spotlights for SALA 2025:

Dr. Abhijit Banerjee
Professor at MIT and Nobel Laureate, known for his pioneering approach to alleviating global poverty.
“If the rules make such a difference, then it becomes very important who gets to make them.” — Abhijit Banerjee

Devdutt Pattanaik
Modern mythologist, illustrator, speaker and author on how mythological stories influence our contemporary lives today.
“Mythology is a subjective truth. Every culture imagines life a certain way.” — Devdutt Pattanaik

Kiran Rao
Producer, screenwriter, and director of the IIFA award-winning Laapataa Ladies, India’s entry to the Oscars, offers insights on filmmaking today.
 “It’s liberating to be able to laugh at things you have so long considered a problem. It’s empowering.” — Kiran Rao

Alka Joshi
Indian American author whose work includes The Henna Artist
“The measure of us isn’t in the day-to-day. And it’s not in our past or our future. It’s in the fundamental changes we make within ourselves over a lifetime,” — Alka Joshi

Sala 2025 Highlights

  • 22 panel discussions on thought-provoking topics over two days
  • Open-mic poetry and book readings
  • Performances by local Bay Area artists
  • Art exhibition showcasing contemporary South Asian artists
  • Unique objects and artifacts from local South Asian brands

 Get your tickets for SALA 2025 now!

For more information, visit salafestival.org
Instagram: @artforumsf

When: September 13th and 14th | 11 am to 7 pm
Where: Menlo College, 1000 El Camino Real, Atherton, CA
Tickets: $130 for two days; $65 per day