activism, activist, advocacy, appreciation, california, change, change in thinking, childhood, classical traditions, compassion, create the change, cross cultures, culture, cultures, desi american, distinctive, diversity and inclusion, diversity, educate, education, faith, friendship, global cultures, hindu, hindu temple, hinduism, history, hometown, inclusion, indian american, interfaith, islam, love, my story, oneness, religion, religions, south asia, spiritual activism, spirituality, tamil, tamil american, temple, travel, tamil nadu, unique, unity, world religions, unityindiversity, female empowerment, patriarchy, be the change, empowerment, empower sangeetha kowsik activism, activist, advocacy, appreciation, california, change, change in thinking, childhood, classical traditions, compassion, create the change, cross cultures, culture, cultures, desi american, distinctive, diversity and inclusion, diversity, educate, education, faith, friendship, global cultures, hindu, hindu temple, hinduism, history, hometown, inclusion, indian american, interfaith, islam, love, my story, oneness, religion, religions, south asia, spiritual activism, spirituality, tamil, tamil american, temple, travel, tamil nadu, unique, unity, world religions, unityindiversity, female empowerment, patriarchy, be the change, empowerment, empower sangeetha kowsik

Where Did Your Lady Balls Go?– South Asian Cultural Conditioning vs. Hindu Faith

Every day, I witness South Asian women weighed down by cultural expectations—pressured to conform, stay small, and stay silent.

Yet the Hindu faith we come from tells a different story.
Hinduism reveres amazing, fascinating, divine women.

Our goddesses are warriors, creators, leaders.

As a Hindu woman born and raised in the U.S., I have to ask:

Where did our courage go?

Where did our divine feminine strength—our lady balls—disappear to?

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activism, appreciation, art, artwork, change in thinking, change, classical traditions, compassion, create the change, cross cultures, culture, cultures, desi american, design, diversity and inclusion, diversity, distinctive, educate, education, exhibition, faith, friendship, global, global cultures, hindu, hindu temple, hinduism, history, impact, inclusion, indian american, inspiration, islam, language, languages, love, my story, oneness, prayer, religion, religions, south asia, spiritual activism, spirituality, temple, tamil american, tamil, travel, travel diaries, unique, world religions, unityindiversity, unity, sexuality, sensuality, museum of sex, museum, advocacy sangeetha kowsik activism, appreciation, art, artwork, change in thinking, change, classical traditions, compassion, create the change, cross cultures, culture, cultures, desi american, design, diversity and inclusion, diversity, distinctive, educate, education, exhibition, faith, friendship, global, global cultures, hindu, hindu temple, hinduism, history, impact, inclusion, indian american, inspiration, islam, language, languages, love, my story, oneness, prayer, religion, religions, south asia, spiritual activism, spirituality, temple, tamil american, tamil, travel, travel diaries, unique, world religions, unityindiversity, unity, sexuality, sensuality, museum of sex, museum, advocacy sangeetha kowsik

LOVE IS LOVE or IS IT? Why We Fear the God of Love & Hindu Muslim Marriages

"Love—true, soul-deep love—is not just a human emotion, but a divine force."

"The Western phrase 'the birds and the bees,' used to describe love and sexuality, traces its origins back to Hinduism."

"Our ancestors—Hindu and Muslim alike—knew what we’ve forgotten: that longing and love are not sins. They are sacred paths to the Divine."

Sex, sensuality, desire, have all been erased or labeled as forbidden in modern times.

Why are Hindu-Muslim romances still taboo in the U.S., when our histories—and hearts—are so deeply intertwined?

Why is it acceptable for South Asians in America to marry white partners with no shared cultural roots—but controversial when two brown people from different faiths (Hinduism & Islam) fall in love?

"To love fully is to abandon control. To love is to surrender your heart to the Divine—who is love."

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Anti Racism from a Hindu Perspective - As demonstrated by a "Golu"

In Hinduism, racism finds no place, as the rich descriptions of deities' diverse skin tones and facial features illustrate emphasizes “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (Sanskrit language)” 

“The world is one family!”.

From the fair-skinned Goddess Saraswati to dark-complexioned Lord  Krishna, Lord Shiva's dreaded locks, Goddess Meenakshi’s “fish eyes”, Lord Muruga’s curly black hair, Goddess Lakshmi’s golden complexion etc. We even have major deities like Lord Hanuman and Lord Ganesha, who do not possess human-like features, emphasizing our reverence and affection for all creation, recognizing that everything is an extension of the divine. Hinduism embraces the beauty of diversity. 

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Sex, Love, Intimacy, & that Book Kama Sutra (Yes it's a religious HINDU scripture)

Ancient Hindu society before the influences of western Faiths, Puritanism, and Colonizations was very free-thinking and progressive. The western world has managed to dumb down ancient texts such as the Kama Sutra to just a “sex position manual”, brand Eastern religions/faiths as vulgar/obscene, and this needs to stop. I had the honor of presenting at the Museum of Sex in NYC about Hinduism, Love, and the Kama Sutra.

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activism, activist, appreciation, art, artwork, change, change in thinking, childhood, classical traditions, compassion, create the change, cross cultures, culture, cultures, desi american, design, distinctive, diversity, educate, education, faith, friendship, global cultures, global, hindu, hindu temple, hinduism, history, holiday, hometown, impact, inclusion, indian american, inspiration, interfaith, love, new york, music, my story, nyc, oneness, prayer, reflections, religion, religions, south asia, spiritual activism, spirituality, tamil nadu, tamil american, temple, tamil, unique, unity, world religions, unityindiversity sangeetha kowsik activism, activist, appreciation, art, artwork, change, change in thinking, childhood, classical traditions, compassion, create the change, cross cultures, culture, cultures, desi american, design, distinctive, diversity, educate, education, faith, friendship, global cultures, global, hindu, hindu temple, hinduism, history, holiday, hometown, impact, inclusion, indian american, inspiration, interfaith, love, new york, music, my story, nyc, oneness, prayer, reflections, religion, religions, south asia, spiritual activism, spirituality, tamil nadu, tamil american, temple, tamil, unique, unity, world religions, unityindiversity sangeetha kowsik

SELF HATING (Indian Americans). Loving HINDU TEMPLES. AUNTIES & UNCLE GUTS.

If Hinduism is such a DOPE OPENMINDED INCLUSIVE faith……then…

WHY DO SO MANY INDIAN AMERICANS GROW UP WITH SELF-HATRED, MAKING FUN OF HINDU RITUALS / PRACTICES, DEITIES, INDIAN ACCENTS, FOOD, DRESS ETC. & CONFUSE BEING “INDIAN” (WHICH IS A NATIONALITY/RACE) WITH BEING A HINDU (A FAITH THAT ANY PERSON OF ANY NATIONALITY/RACE CAN PRACTICE) ???

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Transforming Spaces : The Power of Indian Classical Music

I adore that Indian Classical Music is a form of worship, the interconnectedness between Hinduism and Islam, the beautiful melodies and various ragas, has to power to transform and unite, but most of all it’s the way to reach the divine, who is LOVE!

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activism, activist, appreciation, art, artwork, change, change in thinking, classical traditions, create the change, cross cultures, culture, cultures, design, diversity, distinctive, faith, friendship, global, global cultures, graphic design, hindu, hinduism, history, impact, inclusion, holiday, inspiration, interfaith, islam, language, languages, museum, my story, music, oneness, painting, religion, religions, prayer, south asia, spiritual activism, spirituality, travel, unique, unity, unityindiversity, travel diaries, reflections, world religions, islamic art, racism, Islamophobia, anti semitism, love, compassion, new york, nyc sangeetha kowsik activism, activist, appreciation, art, artwork, change, change in thinking, classical traditions, create the change, cross cultures, culture, cultures, design, diversity, distinctive, faith, friendship, global, global cultures, graphic design, hindu, hinduism, history, impact, inclusion, holiday, inspiration, interfaith, islam, language, languages, museum, my story, music, oneness, painting, religion, religions, prayer, south asia, spiritual activism, spirituality, travel, unique, unity, unityindiversity, travel diaries, reflections, world religions, islamic art, racism, Islamophobia, anti semitism, love, compassion, new york, nyc sangeetha kowsik

Interconnectedness, Hate, Love, & Ahimsa (Non Violence)

As a lifelong practicing Hindu who adheres to the principle of Ahimsa, which means “nonviolence” meaning not to harm any living creature with your words, thoughts, or physically.

it boggles my mind that the 3 great Abrahamic faiths of the world Christianity, Judaism, and Islam lived in relative peace and unity, and gave the world beautiful art, architecture, and an interconnected culture before someone drank CUCKOO juice, and decided to fill their minds/hearts/brains/souls with hatred and expelled Jews and Muslims, which led to the bloody Spanish inquisition of 1492!

These are my reflections of the interconnectedness, unity, inspiration, and beauty, I saw through religion, faith, culture, and art.

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activism, activist, appreciation, art, artwork, change, change in thinking, childhood, classical traditions, create the change, cross cultures, cultures, desi american, design, diversity, educate, education, exhibition, faith, friendship, global, global cultures, hindu, hinduism, history, impact, indian american, inclusion, inspiration, interfaith, language, museum, languages, my story, music, oneness, religion, south asia, spiritual activism, spirituality, religions, tamil, tamil american, tamil nadu, travel, unity, temple, hindu temple, prayer, unique, culture, distinctive sangeetha kowsik activism, activist, appreciation, art, artwork, change, change in thinking, childhood, classical traditions, create the change, cross cultures, cultures, desi american, design, diversity, educate, education, exhibition, faith, friendship, global, global cultures, hindu, hinduism, history, impact, indian american, inclusion, inspiration, interfaith, language, museum, languages, my story, music, oneness, religion, south asia, spiritual activism, spirituality, religions, tamil, tamil american, tamil nadu, travel, unity, temple, hindu temple, prayer, unique, culture, distinctive sangeetha kowsik

Faith, Fusion, ABCD, Cultural "Norms", it’s time to CHANGE!

This is the same issue many children of immigrants face if they don’t have light skin, light eyes, and a “white” name. We always have to prove our “Americaness” or our “Ethnic Identity” over and over again and frankly, it’s just EXHAUSTING.

I HATE the word “ETHNIC” which needs to be removed from the English language! Ethnic literally describes anyone who is not white! HOW RUDE!

I am sick/tired of folks confusing “Indian culture/communities/society” with the FAITH of Hinduism.

I always found solace, peace, and understanding in my faith in Hinduism though I grew up in a chaotic/mishmash often contradicting Indian/Hindu/American culture and society. For example, I never understood why “Brown/Indian” American women were made to feel ashamed to date, go to school dances, date/marry folks of other races, wear tank tops, bikinis, etc.

SOCIETY & COMMUNITIES create stupid rules, divisions, racism, sexism, hate, patriarchy, and bigotry, not FAITH.

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appreciation, california, art, artwork, change, change in thinking, childhood, classical traditions, create the change, cross cultures, cultures, desi american, design, diversity, educate, education, faith, friendship, global, global cultures, hindu, hinduism, history, inclusion, hometown, holiday, inspiration, interfaith, islam, language, oneness, religion, religions, south asia, spiritual activism, spirituality, tamil, tamil american, tamil nadu, unity, unityindiversity sangeetha kowsik appreciation, california, art, artwork, change, change in thinking, childhood, classical traditions, create the change, cross cultures, cultures, desi american, design, diversity, educate, education, faith, friendship, global, global cultures, hindu, hinduism, history, inclusion, hometown, holiday, inspiration, interfaith, islam, language, oneness, religion, religions, south asia, spiritual activism, spirituality, tamil, tamil american, tamil nadu, unity, unityindiversity sangeetha kowsik

Hindu/Religious VS. Spiritual/Dharmic/Vedic - Gym, Puja, Design

Since when did the word “RELIGION” or “RELIGIOUS” start to freak people out? It boggles my mind.

If a Muslim says they are religious they are immediately branded as a “Terrorist”, If a Christian says they are religious they are immediately branded as a “Bible-thumping, right-wing, Trump lover”
If a Hindu says they are religious they are immediately branded as a “Cow piss drinking, right-wing, Modi lover”

Becoming Chaplain was the first time I ever spoke up about “Being Hindu”. It was never an identifying mark for me, not something I went around proclaiming, I’ve always lived my faith, I just WAS, Gym, Puja, Design, every single day!

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appreciation, change, change in thinking, childhood, classical traditions, create the change, cross cultures, cultures, desi american, diversity, educate, education, friendship, global cultures, global, hindu, hinduism, history, impact, inclusion, indian american, inspiration, interfaith, islam, languages, museum, religion, religions, spiritual activism, spirituality, south asia, tamil, tamil american, travel, tamil nadu, unity, unityindiversity, faith sangeetha kowsik appreciation, change, change in thinking, childhood, classical traditions, create the change, cross cultures, cultures, desi american, diversity, educate, education, friendship, global cultures, global, hindu, hinduism, history, impact, inclusion, indian american, inspiration, interfaith, islam, languages, museum, religion, religions, spiritual activism, spirituality, south asia, tamil, tamil american, travel, tamil nadu, unity, unityindiversity, faith sangeetha kowsik

"Abrahamizing" Hinduism (NOT about Conversion)

As the Hindu Chaplain of NYU/Columbia Universities, I find myself explaining my faith in "Abrahamic terms"

Why so many Gods? What's with the half-naked priests? Why don't you have 1 book, the same ways of thinking or the same holidays?

I can’t dip you in water, smack you upside the head with a Veda or Gita and make you a Hindu! (and other thoughts…)

It’s very hard to generalize/compartmentalize/define Hinduism because practices vary dramatically by culture, family, demographics, communities, practices, etc.

It’s what I’ve always found fascinating and interesting about Hinduism, there’s always something new and unique to discover.

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appreciation, activism, change, change in thinking, classical traditions, create the change, cross cultures, cultures, desi american, diversity, educate, education, faith, friendship, global, global cultures, hindu, hinduism, history, holiday, impact, inclusion, indian american, isalm, islam, interfaith, inspiration, oneness, religion, religions, south asia, spiritual activism, spirituality, tamil nadu, tamil american, unityindiversity, unity sangeetha kowsik appreciation, activism, change, change in thinking, classical traditions, create the change, cross cultures, cultures, desi american, diversity, educate, education, faith, friendship, global, global cultures, hindu, hinduism, history, holiday, impact, inclusion, indian american, isalm, islam, interfaith, inspiration, oneness, religion, religions, south asia, spiritual activism, spirituality, tamil nadu, tamil american, unityindiversity, unity sangeetha kowsik

OOH "Girl GODS" Happy Sri Devi Navarathri!

I serve as the Hindu Chaplain/Spiritual Advisor of NYU and Columbia Universities. I often think to myself what kind of world are we leaving for the next generation?

I believe in being the change, building a world of inclusivity, peace, unity, love, and compassion. Show, share, include folks of all faiths/ backgrounds in your holidays, celebrate together (it’s not that difficult to be kind and compassionate).

Last year during Navarathri, a young Shia Muslim girl (student at NYU) wanted to learn about Hinduism and to visit a Hindu Temple (there are no Hindu Temples in Manhattan, had to rent a car (lysol it first drive to Queens, hello covid! ).

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Brooklyn Museum Popup - My Customers are so DIVERSE! Grateful!

The world says “to define my customer base” Well I find that really difficult for me! My customers that day included Japanese Grandmas, Latino Boys, Young African American Gay Men, Hipsters, Hindu folks, Muslim folks, Arab families, Turkish families, and many more! My work appeals to a wide range of races, nationalities, ages, demographics, etc. I believe that art and design are the way to bring together diverse communities.

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BLACK MUSLIM EXPERIENCE, UMMAH, EID & ME - Juneteenth

I was the ONLY non-Black, non-Muslim, non-Hijab, non-Nikab wearing person/lady there! Did I feel any different? NO! I was welcomed with so much love and respect into this Ummah! (Community)

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cross cultures, design, diversity, classical traditions, childhood, california, religion, oneness, islam, unity, hinduism, global cultures, global, faith, friendship sangeetha kowsik cross cultures, design, diversity, classical traditions, childhood, california, religion, oneness, islam, unity, hinduism, global cultures, global, faith, friendship sangeetha kowsik

Krishna Janmashtami and The Prophet's (PBUH) sandal

Islam and Hinduism teach the unity of God / service to mankind — a message both Prophet (PBUH) and Lord Krishna taught.

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#blacklivesmatter. One World. Be the Change.

All FAITHS (symbols of every major faith). ONE WORLD. WE Together stand against racism!

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classical traditions, cross cultures, design, diversity, faith, friendship, global, global cultures, hinduism, history, holiday, inspiration, oneness, islam, religion, travel, unity sangeetha kowsik classical traditions, cross cultures, design, diversity, faith, friendship, global, global cultures, hinduism, history, holiday, inspiration, oneness, islam, religion, travel, unity sangeetha kowsik

Eid Mubarak! Eid Ambarki Ighudan!

Ramadan concludes with morning Eid Prayers outside in Washington Square Park which is so special and absolute magic. Though I’m the Hindu Chaplain for NYU, my brothers have always included me in Eid prayers, I have celebrated with the Islamic Center any times.

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