Roopa Mahadevan

Songs for Many Lives creates new Carnatic compositions inspired by stories of South Asian immigration to the United States. These songs reflect not only the successes and struggles, but also the myriad ways by which South Asian immigrants have made a new home, re-invented traditions, and fought for better lives for their communities. Led by violinist Sruti Sarathy and vocalist Roopa Mahadevan, the project began with a grant from the Creative Work Fund, through which they partnered with the Alliance of South Asians Taking Action (ASATA) to learn about the organizing history of South Asians in the Bay Area. After work-in-progress showings in Chicago, Atlanta, and San Francisco, the project will formally premiere in the Bay Area in 2025. The performance will feature new songs, video projection, and testimonial and audience participation. ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Roopa Mahadevan is a second-generation Indian classical and crossover vocalist whose work spans Carnatic music, jazz, R&B/soul, and theater. She has performed at venues including Carnegie Hall, SFJAZZ, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and the MET Museum. Trained in Carnatic vocal music in the U.S. and India, she has performed widely in India and internationally, collaborated across disciplines, and held residencies at institutions including Joe’s Pub and Banff Centre.

Sruti Sarathy is a Carnatic violinist, singer, and composer whose work blends South Indian classical music with spoken word, literature, and diasporic storytelling. A Fulbright Scholar, she has received support from the Creative Work Fund and the Alliance for California Traditional Arts. Her music reimagines the role of the violin in contemporary Carnatic performance.