Imagine a space where South Asian and queer culture can express their identity freely. Now imagine that space is turned into a theater. That is Tasveer Cinema. 

Tasveer, which was established in March 2002, came onto the scene when it was most needed. The world had just been struck by the 9/11 attack, which had caused a lot of stigma against the South Asian community. Farah Nousheen and Rita Meher established an organization to fight that stigma through uplifting South Asian films. 

Tasveer, which means “picture” in Hindi and Urdu, is a space for South Asian community members to express their culture through film, art and storytelling. The organization recently expanded to a bigger location in Columbia City, taking over an old building acquired from Ark Lodge, giving them access to new cinema screens. 

“We have three screens in the theater, which we have lots of plans and dreams for it. We want to have it accessible to all communities and different world cinema, one for the screens, and then one screen will be dedicated to South Asian cinema and then one could be flexible for community use, rental use. We are still getting the theater ready with all the right equipment and technology. In a month or so, it’ll be ready,” Meher said. 

The new location will be called the Tasveer Film Center and will have its opening May 25, from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. 

“It’ll be a place of community space, and a lot of different cultural events will happen, but specifically it will be a film center,” Meher said. 

Meher decided to opt for a cinema and theater because she feels that film is the best way to unite people. She believes that film puts people under one roof and helps tell the story that we want to tell in an environment that heals.

Some of the movies that the center showed were anti-Islamophobic movies to fight against the stigma and stereotype that erupted during the events of the September attacks. The center would also work with various underrepresented groups, such as the LGBTQ community.

The Tasveer organization is thriving, offering opportunities such as internships and volunteer programs. It serves as a safe space for freedom of expression for those who want to fight against injustice.

Jinks Teli, a second-year master of science in finance student, is the president of the Indian Student Association and has participated with Tasveer in their LGBTQ+ events. He shared how excited he is to see the expansion and the possible events Tasveer will be holding.

“I think the horizon is just expanded, and they might just come up with really nice events and more support to the LGBTQ or South Asian community. I really hope for that and I think expansion is a good thing for them,” Teli said. “I’m an actor and singer, so if given a chance, I would like to associate with them as an actor or a singer any way possible.” 

Tarunika Arun, a third-year marketing and business analytics double-major, is the co-president of the South Asian Student Association at Seattle U and heard about Tasveer through the club. Arun discussed the importance of diversity in media and how it is essential for people to be producing the media in which they are depicted.  

“It’s super cool to hear about [Tasveer], because I feel representation really matters, especially when it’s done right, and from the community themselves. So it’s exciting to hear that there’s a space for South Asian creators to kind of explore as well as express themselves in our culture. It’s just nice to hear that and I definitely want to be more involved moving forward,.” Arun said. 

Tasveer was founded on fighting against racism and the stereotyping of minorities. It’s a space that aims to help people express their culture and community without the fear of being judged or looked at negatively. Tasveer will stay and continue to give people a platform to share stories, films, and art to truly represent their own community.