Lucky Jauhal talks about her early experiences in the United States at India Community Center in Milpitas, Calif. on July 25, 2023. India Currents Magazine invited seniors to share their thoughts and experiences on hate crimes against South Asians as part of a community outreach initiative. Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local.
Viraja Madre watches her student Avya Poddatoori rehearse for his arangetram in Orinda, Calif. on July 26, 2023. Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local.
Anaya Poddatoori, 12, and vocalist Roopa Mahadevan take a pause during orchestra rehearsals in Orinda, Calif. for Avya Poddatoori’s arangetram on July 29, 2023. Anaya will be singing the opening song before his older brother performs on stage. Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local.
Avya Poddatoori, 15, gets ready to play cards with relatives in his Orinda, Calif. home on July 26, 2023. Avya’s family is in town for his arangetram. Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local.
Vineela Poddatoori watches a puja being performed before her son Avya’s arangetram at the Hoffman Theater in Walnut Creek, Calif. on July 29, 2023. Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local.
Avya Poddatoori performs at his arangetram at the Hoffman Theater in Walnut Creek, Calif. on July 29, 2023. Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local.
Agampreet Kaur, 2, dances to the beat of bhangra music at the San Jose Teeyan at Evergreen Valley High School in San Jose, Calif. on July 30, 2023. Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local.

Sree Sripathy joined India Currents as a staff photographer and CatchLight Local Fellow as part of CatchLight's California Local Visual Desk program in June 2022. Reach out with story ideas or comments...