SALA (South Asian Literature & Art) Festival 2022

The South Asian Literature and Art Festival (SALA) aims to contribute to the literary and cultural life of the residents of Silicon Valley. The 2022 event focuses on a theme of “Humanity” by examining how the world tends to put people in boxes, categorizing and generalizing communities of different color, class, gender, and caste. The forums and conversations will examine and celebrate different points of view, while also recognizing that ultimately, it is a shared humanity that triumphs.

This expertly-curated event will represent South Asian culture to a broad Bay Area audience, providing a platform to spark engagement between distinguished authors and the diverse audiences of Silicon Valley, many of whom may have had little opportunity to experience the talent and voices coming out of South Asia and its diaspora.

Discussions will take place in venues around Montalvo’s historic Villa and property, and visitors can also enjoy book sales and author signings presented by Books, Inc., a marketplace, children’s craft activities, dance, music, poetry, and painting. Food will be available for purchase, and a bar will offer beer, wine, and soda.

Panelists & Participants:

Saturday:
Ayad Akhtar; Alka Joshi; Annu Palakunnathu Matthew; Amit Majmudar; Jaishri Abichandani; Jenny Bhatt;  Rahul Mehrotra; Ranu Mukherjee; Siddharth Mehrotra;  Swara Bhasker; Sarah Ahmad;  Musician TM Krishan; Vikram Chandra; Zuni Chopra

Sunday:
Chaitali Sen; Chitrita Banjerji; Daisy Rockwell; Devi Laskar; Hetal Vasavada; Kauser Ahmed; Madhurshree Ghosh; Neeta Mittal; Nik Sharma; Chef Preeti Mistry;  Chef Ranjan; Salil Tripathi; Shikha Malaviya; Shireen and Afzal Ahmad; Sonia Chopra; Sorayya Khan; Thenmozhi Soundararajan; Vina Patel

Also Included:

• Art Exhibition and Sale featuring Chandrika Marla, Priyanka Rana, and Tanya Momi
• Marketplace featuring Garima Shoes, Pragati Sharma’s stoles, and The Peacock Avenue