“Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”
THE WORLD IS ONE FAMILY
–MAHA UPANISHAD
Sangeetha Kowsik is the founder of Ihsan Ishan Design, one of the very few Hindu Chaplains in the world, founder of the NYU Hindu Center and a Creative Director working at the intersection of faith, culture, and design. A trained Hindu priestess and scholar, as well as a formally trained Islamic/Arabic calligrapher, she brings a rare and unique interfaith lens to her work. She presents Hinduism with clarity and depth, dispelling misconceptions while drawing from deep knowledge of Hindu scriptures, temple traditions, ritual practice, and philosophy.
An accomplished speaker and educator, Sangeetha has presented at museums, universities, and institutions worldwide, leading conversations on interfaith understanding, designing with cultural and faith sensitivity, advocating for greater and accurate representation of global faiths.
Born and raised in the United States and shaped by extensive global travel (65+ countries), Sangeetha brings an uncommon ability to translate the world’s oldest living faith tradition into meaningful, relevant practice for modern life.
As the daughter of a master temple builder, her father built three traditional Hindu temples in the U.S., including the first, her work is rooted in lived lineage.
As Hindu Chaplain at NYU, she leads inclusive ceremonies, lectures, and interfaith dialogue that welcome people of all backgrounds, including interfaith families and LGBTQIA+ communities. Through education, storytelling, and ritual, her work creates compassion, unity, dialogue, and connection across cultures, faiths, and belief systems.
Speaking & Lecture Topics
Religion & Food
Racism, Colorism & Colonial Misconceptions
Culture vs. Faith
Feminism, Empowerment, Sexuality, Sensuality
Black Lives Matter: A Hindu Perspective
The Spiritual Significance of Color in Hinduism
Queer & Indigenous Deities in Hindu Traditions
Understanding the Caste System
Dismantling Misconceptions of Hinduism
INTERFAITH
LECTURES, PANELS, & TALKS
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - WHY A HINDU IS A TRAINED ISLAMIC ARABIC CALLIGRAPHER
NYU UNIVERSITY - PANEL DISCUSSIONS WITH MUSLIM, JEWISH, AND CHRISTIAN STUDENTS MODERATED BY A HINDU
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - FEMINISM IN RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS - A FEMALE RABBI (JUDAISM), SHEIKHA (ISLAMIC SCHOLAR), HINDU
AWARDED CHAPLAIN OF THE YEAR FOR
INTERFAITH INITIATIVES
BY CHELSEA CLINTON
“Thank you Sangeetha. Wonderful speaker coming from a beautiful heart and intention. She has a universal consciousness that is humbling.”
—Dr. Shaunaka Rishi Das, Director of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies (OCHS)
Hindu Chaplaincy,
NYU Hindu Center &
A Rare Female Priest
Sangeetha Kowsik, founder of Ihsan Ishan Design, is a rare Hindu American Chaplain and first-generation Indian American Hindu priestess dedicated to making the spiritual depth of Hinduism accessible and meaningful in contemporary life. Trained in traditional Hindu puja rites and temple practices by her father, who built three Hindu temples in the United States, her work is grounded in lived lineage, scholarship, and practice.
As the founder of NYU’s Hindu Center, Sangeetha offers inclusive, customizable pujas, ceremonies, talks, and lectures for Indian American, interfaith, and LGBTQIA+ communities. Fluent in Sanskrit and South Asian languages and trained in Indian classical music, she thoughtfully explains the meaning behind each ritual, dispels misconceptions, and unites tradition with modern life.
She built the center to welcome and honor Hinduism’s richness while welcoming people of all backgrounds, creating understanding, connection, and spiritual resonance across cultures and faiths.
