Kamna Shastri

Kamna is a writer and media maker from Seattle. Few things are more wonderful to her than learning about the histories, inspirations and dreams of the people with whom she crosses paths. Good conversation, a cup of spicy chai, and music are all she needs to make her world go around. Read more of her work at kamnashastri.wordpress.com.
Avatar photo

Kiran Ahluwalia brings meshing of world music to Seattle

by Kamna Shastri
Ahluwalia sees herself as a citizen of the world and loves to collaborate with musicians from other cultural traditions. It may be easy to call is fusion, but she prefers to characterize her music as a mix – modern Indian music serenaded by jazz and West African Blues. She will be playing this Sunday at The Triple Door.
Dec 4, 2019
A sign at Duwamish Waterway Park warns in nine languages against eating most fish caught in the river. (Photo by Alex Stonehill)

Environmental Justice Investigative Journalism Fellowship kicks off

by Kamna Shastri
Meet the journalists who are part of The Seattle Globalist's Environmental Justice Investigative Journalism Fellowship.
Nov 27, 2019

“Beyond Bollywood” at MOHAI digs deep into Indian American experience

by Kamna Shastri
The Punjabi farmers and canners who came to the Pacific Northwest in the late-1800s and early-1900s paved the way for today’s Indian American immigrants.
Nov 7, 2019

Local Kashmiri community protests Gates Foundation award to India PM Modi

by Kamna Shastri
Protesters say that the Gates Foundation's award to India Prime Minister Narendra Modi for sanitation ignores his government's treatment of Kashmiris, Muslims and other minorities.
Sep 25, 2019

Wa Na Wari gives home to Seattle’s Black culture and art

by Kamna Shastri
A house in the Central District has turned into Wa Na Wari, a new gallery and space centering Black artists and culture, and preserving the joy and vibrancy of the area's historic neighborhood.
Sep 4, 2019

“An American Superhero” explores the diverse origin stories of every day people

by Kamna Shastri
Vishavjit Singh, also known as Sikh Captain America, inspired the exhibit, which features dozens of people and their reflections on their identities and what they consider to be their superpowers.
Jul 30, 2019

Jose Robles detained by ICE after leaving sanctuary by Seattle church

by Kamna Shastri
After a year of living under sanctuary of Seattle's Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Jose Robles presented himself to immigration authorities and was detained.
Jul 17, 2019

Could environmental justice be written into Washington state law?

by Kamna Shastri
Washington lawmakers this year stopped short of writing environmental justice into law. But a task force could pave the way in the future.
Jul 10, 2019

Seattle groups urge census turnout despite citizenship question uncertainty

by Kamna Shastri
Seattle groups still hope people will participate in the 2020 census, despite the federal government's latest twists and turns in whether it will ask about citizenship.
Jul 4, 2019

Local activists bring global movement Extinction Rebellion to Seattle

by Kamna Shastri
Seattle activists protested Amazon and KOMO Plaza as part of the international climate movement Extinction Rebellion, which organizes disruptive protests that aim to inspire people to act on climate change.
Jun 26, 2019

Filipino Americans champion legacy in Chinatown International District

by Kamna Shastri
After the Filipino history of the Chinatown International District was nearly deleted from a Seattle city resolution, a group works to revive that legacy.
Jul 31, 2018

“A Night at The Forbidden City” draws on legacy of Asian American cabaret

by Kamna Shastri
The show includes dancers, magicians, burlesque and more, in homage to the supper club entertainment prevalent in Chinatowns in the 1940s and 1950s.
Jun 20, 2018

Cartoonist vanquishes more than hate with Sikh Captain America

by Kamna Shastri
Cartoonist Vishavjit Singh says battling hate through Sikh Captain America shows the power of venturing outside of one's comfort zone.
May 17, 2018

Beijing Queer Chorus sings for a better world

by Kamna Shastri
Members of the chorus say they hope to bring some of the progress in the LGBTQ community in the United States back to China.
Mar 14, 2018

Densho’s Day of Remembrance focuses on solidarity with Muslim community

by Kamna Shastri
Khizr Khan, a Gold Star father and critic of President Trump's anti-Muslim rhetoric, spoke of the resilience of Japanese Americans as an example.
Feb 20, 2018

Refugee women, children the focus of artist Humaira Abid’s “Searching for Home”

by Kamna Shastri
Humaira Abid's "Searching for Home" explores the experiences of women and children refugees in intricate wood sculptures.
Jan 23, 2018

Sara Porkalob pushes past expectations as an artist and activist

by Kamna Shastri
Sara Porkalob, who stars in Book It Repertory's "Howl's Moving Castle," has made a name pushing boundaries in theater.
Dec 5, 2017

Seattle’s Filipino community questions deletion of historic “Manilatown”

by Kamna Shastri
Seattle's Filipino Americans say striking out of the reference to the historic community disrespected the community's long history.
Aug 16, 2017

Chinatown/International District residents demand voice at development hearing

by Kamna Shastri
Chinatown/International District residents wonder whose voices are being heard when it comes to changes that could reshape the historic neighborhood.
Jul 24, 2017

Local Koreans hope for nuanced peace between North and South

by Kamna Shastri
While local Korean Americans hope for peace, they also call for a nuanced resolution to the decades-long struggle on the Korean Peninsula.
May 10, 2017