KRUTTIKA SUSARLA X SAADA
About "From Hooghly to Harlem"
Artwork inspired by the story of Bardu Ali—a jazz musician, promoter, and emcee credited for discovering Ella Fitzgerald— and his father's journey “From Hooghly to Mississippi to Harlem."
KRUTTIKA SUSARLA X SAADA
Behind the Design
Kruttika Susarla’s artwork for “From Hooghly to Harlem” was inspired by the story of Bardu Ali—a jazz musician, promoter, and emcee credited for discovering Ella Fitzgerald—and his father’s journey “From Hooghly to Mississippi to Harlem,” as written in Vivek Bald’s essay for Our Stories.
"5 South Asian American Entertainers You May Not Know About"
A TIDES essay that shares a list of a few notable South Asian American entertainers who have appeard on stage, in film, and on television.
Introducing the Artist: Kruttika Susarla
Kruttika is an illustrator and cartoonist from India based in Rochester, NY. Her practice ranges from making comics about dogs, crows, and leeches side hustling in the gig economy to making picture books and designing books and toolkits for community-engaged organizations and advocacy groups.
Instagram: @kruttika
Website: kruttika.com
Historical Context: Bardu Ali with Johnny Otis
The Johnny Otis Show
Starting at the 2:00 mark, Bardu Ali conducts the band in a live performance of "Hand Jive" by Johnny Otis.
"...but what really drew me to Bardu Ali and his family story is that it was so layered."
Explore More
Kruttika Susarla
Kruttika is an illustrator and cartoonist from India based in Rochester, NY. Her practice ranges from making comics about dogs, crows, and leeches side hustling in the gig economy to making picture books and designing books and toolkits for community-engaged organizations and advocacy groups.
"The Crooner from Kashmir"
Known as “Cool Dip” and the “Kashmirian Crooner,” Kuldip Rae Singh was a 21-year-old med student at UCLA when he first got his break as a singer on television. After singing "A Woman in Love" from Guys and Dolls, he became an overnight sensation.
"Bengali Harlem and the Lost Histories of South Asian America"
In 2015, academic and filmmaker Vivek Bald published Bengali Harlem and the Lost Histories of South Asian America, a book about the historical migration of Bengali Muslims from South Asia to the United States.
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