Art & Tolerance
We believe every work of art is an invitation—not simply to look or listen, but to understand one another.
Heer Waris Shah
Experience the celebrated panjabi sufi masterpiece - the story of Heer and her beloved Ranjha as they challenge family, class, and society.
4 Part Series: Singing The Beloved
Over four weeks, we journeyed through the poetry of Baba Farid, Shah Hussain, Sultan Bahu, and Bulleh Shah —discovering not only their literary brilliance, but also the enduring relevance of their words in our lives today.
Sohni at the ICA, San Jose
An afternoon journeying into one of Panjab’s most enduring love stories, Sohni Mahiwal, through live music, poetry, and song at the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA), San Jose on July 11th, 2026.
Rooted in the rich poetic traditions of Panjab, this intimate musical performance brought alive the timeless tale of Sohni—a woman whose love compels her to cross a dangerous river each night to meet her beloved, Mahiwal. The performance traced Sohni’s fateful crossings, evoking themes of longing, devotion, courage, and surrender.
Unfolding amidst the evocative setting of Anoushka Mirchandani’s (@anoushka) 𝘔𝘺 𝘉𝘰𝘥𝘺 𝘞𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘙𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘖𝘯𝘤𝘦 at the ICA, the performance entered into quiet dialogue with the exhibition’s resonances of water, memory, movement, and the body.
Sunno Panjab Bolda
A Mehfil of Revolutionary Poetry from Panjab.
The Center for South Asia and Art & Tolerance Inc hosted a mehfil for spoken poetry, song, and resistance, honoring Panjab’s long tradition of revolutionary voices that speak truth to power through language, rhythm, and collective memory.
Heer at Headlands Center for the Arts
A love story from Panjab: One of South Asia’s celebrated poetic masterpiece—the story of Heer and her beloved Ranjha as they defy family, class, and fate. A lyrical journey of love so powerful it becomes an act of rebellion.
Composed in the 18th century by Sufi poet Waris Shah, this modern adaptation honored Panjab’s rich oral storytelling tradition. Verses are sung in Panjabi, interwoven with English narration and carried by the live music of flute, mandolin, and tabla—weaving poetry, song, and story into a moving experience for both familiar and new audiences.
A timeless love. A powerful resistance. A story that sings across centuries.
