Sapan News Network

07/23/2025

Visionary filmmaker of eight Hindi movies, Guru Dutt (1925 – 1964) whose socially conscious work explored various human experiences left a cultural impact that continues to inspire generations.

Visionary filmmaker of eight Hindi movies, Guru Dutt (1925 - 1964) whose socially conscious work explored various human experiences left a cultural impact that continues to inspire generations.

07/22/2025

Remembering Guru Dutt in his birth centenary year
A visionary who gave Hindi cinema some of its most unforgettable works, Guru Dutt (1925–1964) left an enduring imprint through just eight feature films. His socially conscious storytelling and poetic visual style continue to inspire generations.

On his 100th birth anniversary, C. Uday Bhaskar reflects on the legacy and loss of this cinematic genius whose life ended too soon.

Read the tribute:
https://sapannews.com/2025/07/21/remembering-guru-dutt-in-his-birth-centenary-year-a-resurrected-genius/

07/18/2025

An Indian origin London-based author, textile artist, and anthropologist finds food for thought in the shared histories and culture by a Pakistani-origin traveler’s memoir tracing his journey through India.

An Indian origin London-based author, textile artist, and anthropologist finds food for thought in the shared histories and culture by a Pakistani-origin traveler’s memoir tracing his journey through India

07/16/2025

Maybe, I will go back too
London-based Indian-origin artist and anthropologist Sayali Goyal reflects on Shueyb Gandapur’s powerful travel memoir, Coming Back: The Odyssey of a Pakistani Through India. The book evokes shared memories, Partition legacies, and cross-border kinship through art, stories, and spiritual searching.

Read Sayali’s reflection at Sapan News:
https://sapannews.com/2025/07/16/maybe-i-will-go-back-too/

07/13/2025

Twenty three years after being launched, a groundbreaking nonprofit organisation dedicated to uplifting Southasian stories now has a new home on the West Coast of America.

Twenty three years after being launched, a groundbreaking nonprofit organisation dedicated to uplifting Southasian stories now has a new home on the West Coast of America

07/12/2025

From renter to home-owner: A Southasia arts success story in Seattle
Tasveer, the pioneering Southasia-focused film and arts nonprofit in the U.S., now has a home of its own. After 23 years of renting venues for its screenings, Tasveer has purchased the historic Ark Lodge Cinema in Seattle with support from a $2.2 million grant. A major milestone ahead of its 20th annual film festival this October.
Read the full story by Regina Johnson at Sapan News:
https://sapannews.com/2025/07/12/from-renter-to-home-owner-a-southasia-arts-focused-success-story-in-seattle/

07/06/2025

A television trilogy on addressing mob violence had gained huge popularity in neighbouring India. Now, worsening ties have disrupted that cross-border resonance.

07/03/2025

‘Something that shattered me’: Sultana Siddiqui on creating a series on blasphemy violence in Pakistan

As political hostilities freeze cross-border entertainment, legendary Pakistani producer Sultana Siddiqui opens up about her deeply personal, powerful television trilogy on mob violence and blasphemy laws in Pakistan — a project she says “shattered” her.

Read the full story by Abdullah Zahid:
🔗 ssapannews.com/2025/07/02/something-that-shattered-me-sultana-siddiqui-on-creating-a-series-on-blasphemy-violence-in-pakistan

06/25/2025

Marking Women in Diplomacy Day on 24 June, this special feature examines how women across the region are anchoring peace processes, reimagining diplomacy through empathy and equity, and offering community-rooted, care-centred responses to war, displacement, and climate disasters.

06/24/2025

Today is Women in Diplomacy Day!
“Peace is not possible without women, and diplomacy without empathy is diplomacy without impact.”

Across Southasia, women are reimagining diplomacy — from tribal jirgas in Pakistan to transitional justice in Sri Lanka and peacebuilding in Nepal. In a powerful open letter to the UN, Sri Lankan activist Visaka Dharmadasa and others call for urgent action to revive the Women, Peace & Security agenda. ✊🏽🌏

📖 Read the full feature by Pragyan Srivastava on Sapan News:
🔗 https://sapannews.com/2025/06/23/feminist-diplomacy-at-the-crossroads-southasian-women-leading-the-way-in-peacebuilding-and-crisis-response/

06/22/2025

“Go forth with your hearts on fire” — Dr. Azra Raza at SFU convocation

In a stirring address to Simon Fraser University’s Class of 2025, Pakistani-American oncologist Dr. Azra Raza called on graduates to live with purpose, love deeply, and never lose sight of humanity. Her words — filled with passion, poetry, and personal reflection — remind us that healing and hope are inseparable.

From falling in love with the question of cancer to becoming a pioneering force in medicine, Dr. Raza’s story is one of resilience, purpose, and unshakable belief in the human spirit.

📖 Read her moving speech via Sapan News:
🔗 Healing, hope, and the human spirit
https://sapannews.com/2025/06/20/healing-hope-and-the-human-spirit-lessons-from-dr-azra-raza-bent-on-curing-cancer/

06/21/2025

When oncologist Dr. Azra Raza stood before Simon Fraser University’s graduating class of 2025 a week ago, she urged the graduates to “go forth with your hearts on fire.” That phrase captures her passion for her work and the assignment she handed the students: To live life with purpose, courage, and a drive that fuels meaningful lives. We share her compelling speech here.

When oncologist Dr. Azra Raza stood before Simon Fraser University’s graduating class of 2025 a week ago, she urged the graduates to “go forth with your hearts on fire.” That phrase captures her passion for her work and the assignment she was handing the students: To live life with purpose, co...