Dalit Dreamlands: How Manu Kaur Created A Multisensory Celebration Of Liberation

The walls of the Oakland Asian Cultural Center and ARTogether are buzzing with anticipation. Dalit Dreamlands, a landmark multimedia exhibition unlike any other, is about to unfold.  Co-presented by AAWAA, ARTogether, Discostan, and the Oakland Asian Cultural Center, this event is much more than just an art show as it is a celebration of creativity, a platform for marginalized voices, and a powerful call for a future freedom from caste oppression.

Dalit Dreamlands lies in the vision of curator Manu Kaur.  Supported by AAWAA's Emerging Curator's Program, Kaur has brought together over 36 artists from a multitude of backgrounds – Dalit, Adivasi, Bahujan, Afro-Indian, Indo-Caribbean, and Muslim.  This multiplicity is a core strength of the exhibition.  It challenges the simplistic notion of a monolithic 'brown' experience and instead highlights the multitude of identities and artistic expressions within these communities.

The art itself encompasses a stunning array of mediums.  Visitors will be treated to intricate Madhubani paintings by Malvika Raj, who reinterprets the traditional style with a pro-Dalit message while Nazrina Rodjan's large canvases weave together stories of indentured labour and the enduring resilience of women. There will also be fashion design, films, performances, and thought-provoking visuals — a true feast for the senses.

But Dalit Dreamlands is more than just aesthetics.  It is a platform for those who have been historically silenced.  Queer and trans artists, often doubly marginalized within their own communities, will find a space to express themselves freely.  The exhibition centers the concept of 'caste-abolitionist futurisms' a powerful vision of a world where the oppressive caste system is dismantled and where a more just and equitable future is built.

The opening reception taking place on 6th April promises to be an immersive experience.  Flash tattoos and henna art await attendees, while interactive art stations invites participation.  A photo booth will capture the joy of the occasion, and a lively dance party, the Zindagi Dance Party, will keep the energy pulsating.  The music for this celebration is curated by a stellar line-up of DJs, including Mya Mehmi from Pxssy Palace and Arshia Fatima Haq of Discostan. 

"It's been so beautiful," says Kaur, reflecting on the journey of bringing Dalit Dreamlands to life.  "When I walk through it, I get so emotional. It's like a journey. I want people to feel like they're in a different land. In Dalit Dreamland, in Begampura."  Dalit Dreamlands has created a space where a new future is imagined and is a timely a call to action for a more just world.

Find out more here.

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