SAADA Spotlight

"Premala" Tote Bag

$30.00
Tax included.
Color: Black
 Size Guide

Ragni Agarwal’s artwork for “Premala” was inspired by Premala Shahane, a South Asian American trailblazer who arrived in the U.S. as a student in 1923.

What's the story?

Premala Shahane arrived in the U.S. in 1923 and studied at the University of Michigan, Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania, and Columbia University. She went on to be an activist, educator, medical professional, musician, and more. Her story is preserved in SAADA’s Premala Shahane archival collection of photographs, newspaper articles, and more, which reflect on the joys and challenges of being away from home. 

Explore the Premala Shahane archival collection.
What's it made of?

• 100% certified organic cotton 3/1 twill
• Fabric weight: 8 oz/yd² (272 g/m²)
• Dimensions: 16″ × 14 ½″ × 5″ (40.6 cm × 35.6 cm × 12.7 cm)
• Weight limit: 30 lbs (13.6 kg)
• 1″ (2.5 cm) wide dual straps, 24.5″ (62.2 cm) length
• Open main compartment

RAGNI AGARWAL X SAADA

Premala

"I decided to base it on a coin, so that it was like two sides of the coin, because I actually think a lot of the point to her story is that we are extremely multifaceted, and there’s not just one side of us." – Ragni Agarwal

Ragni Agarwal’s artwork for “Premala” was inspired by Premala Shahane, a South Asian American trailblazer who arrived in the U.S. as a student in 1923. Premala went on to be an activist, educator, medical professional, musician, and more. Her story is preserved in SAADA’s Premala Shahane archival collection of photographs, newspaper articles, and more. 

Ragni was drawn to Premala’s story as a South Asian American woman and immigrant who embraced both the arts and the medical field and refused limiting definitions.

About the Artwork