named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Skin Deep: Caste Politics and Percussion in South India
Program season examining caste-based inequities in Carnatic and folk music, centering Dalit and oppressed-caste drummers and their contributions to South Indian musical traditions.
Subcontinent on the Hudson
Collaborative series with DRUM (Desis Rising Up and Moving) highlighting South Asian migrations and musical expressions in New York, focusing on diasporic identity, gentrification, and solidarity.
Tawaif: Gender, Power, and South Asian Arts
Series dedicated to the history and legacy of tawaifs—matrilineal female performers—through film screenings, reading groups, and discussions on gender, art, and social stigma.
The Law of Music: Ragas, Rhythms, and Imaginations from Afghanistan
Season highlighting Afghan musical traditions, artist resilience under political repression, and fusion genres, in partnership with Afghan cultural organizations.
Uncovered/Recovered
Curated series formerly known as the Social Justice Series, exploring underrepresented musical traditions from regions including Kashmir, Afghanistan, and South India through concerts, films, and discussions.
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Traditional & Cultural Performing Arts 2 activities
- Curating cross-cultural and diaspora-focused music seriesDevelops and presents event series that explore the intersections of raga music with global traditions and diasporic experiences, including "Subcontinent on the Hudson," Kashmir Valley musical expression, Afghan musical solidarity programs, and collaborations with Tibetan and other displaced artists, often incorporating discussion, film, and advocacy.
- Presenting raga music performances and festivalsOrganizes and hosts public performance series, festivals, and special events centered on raga music, including the annual Ragas Live Festival, Colors of Raga series, and themed multi-day events such as the Rāginī Festival and "24 Hours of Sacred Sound." These events feature concerts, live broadcasts, and multidisciplinary artists, and have been presented at venues including Pioneer Works, The Rubin Museum of Art, and via international livestreams.
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Nonprofit Music Recording and Distribution 1 activity
- Producing and releasing recorded musicProduces and releases albums and EPs featuring raga music and its contemporary interpretations, including compilation albums like "Brooklyn Raga Massive Compilation Vol 1" and "Women's Raga Massive Compilation Volume 1," tribute works such as the "Coltrane Raga Tribute EP," and thematic collections like "Ragmala: A Garland of Ragas."
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Music Education and Training Programs 1 activity
- Providing music education and community learning programsOffers educational initiatives including a 4-week classroom residency program that introduces students to South Asian classical music traditions, raga scales, and their cultural contexts. Also conducts workshops such as playlist curation sessions and community discussions that explore global musical interconnections and diasporic identities.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Facilitating collaborative jam sessions and musician gatheringsHosts regular weekly and monthly jam sessions in New York City that bring together diverse musicians and audiences for participatory musical experiences, fostering a community of over 100 collaborating artists rooted in South Asian classical music and expanded into global traditions.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$212K
Contributions & grants$118K56%
Program service revenue$94K44%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$723
expenses
Total expenses$163K
Program expenses85%
Admin / overhead13%
Fundraising3%
Salaries & benefits$2K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$58K
Cash$52K
Investments$0
Liabilities$15K
Net assets$43K
Liquid reserves3.8 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -34.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neel Murgai | Board Treasurer | 30 | $7K |
| Arun Ramamurthy | Board Member | 1 | $4K |
board members · 3
- Anna Hammond — Board Chair
- Niru Hedge — Board Member
- Seema Pandya — Board Secratary
relationships · 23
Who they work with
- Afghans for a Better Tomorrow Partner — Presenting partner for the "The Law of Music" series on Afghan musical traditions.
- Arun Ramamurthy Trio Partner — Collaborative ensemble within the collective featuring Arun Ramamurthy.
- Brooklyn Arts Council Funder — Supports the Ragas Live Festival through the Brooklyn Arts Fund
- DRUM (Desis Rising Up and Moving) Partner — Co-curated the "Subcontinent on the Hudson" event series focused on South Asian migrations and musics in New York.
- Fotografiska NY Partner — Performance venue for BRM ensembles
- Lincoln Center Partner — Performance venue for BRM ensembles
- National Endowment for the Arts Funder — Supports the Ragas Live Festival
- New York State Council on the Arts Funder — Primary funder supporting the BRM Jam Session series.
- New York State Council on the Arts Funder — Primary funder supporting the Colors of Raga series
- New York State Council on the Arts Government — Primary funder supporting the Rāginī Festival through state arts funding.
- Pioneer Works Partner — Hosted the Ragas Live Festival in 2016 and 2022
- Pioneer Works Partner — Performance venue for BRM ensembles
- Ragmala Go:Organic Orchestra Partner — Collaborative ensemble project involving members of the collective.
- Rubin Museum of Art Partner — Hosted the 2017 edition of the Ragas Live Festival
- Sound Central Partner — Presenting partner for the "The Law of Music" series and organizer of Afghanistan's first alternative performing arts festival.
- The Kennedy Center Partner — Performance venue for BRM ensembles
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art Partner — Performance venue for BRM ensembles
- The Museum of Modern Art Partner — Performance venue for BRM ensembles
- The Rubin Museum of Art Partner — Performance venue for BRM ensembles
- Trina Basu & Arun Ramamurthy's Nakshatra Partner — Collaborative ensemble within the collective co-led by Trina Basu and Arun Ramamurthy.
- WKCR 89.9 FM-NY Partner — Hosted the 24-hour radio broadcast of the Ragas Live Festival in 2012
- We Have Voice Collective Partner — Adopts and enforces the We Have Voice Collective Code of Conduct within the BRM community.
- Yerba Buena Gardens Festival Partner — Performance venue for BRM ensembles
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Art as Resistance and Reclamationmethodology: art-as-resistanceBy centering marginalized voices and positioning artistic performance—especially percussion—as an act of resistance, the organization empowers communities against caste, gender, and class oppression, because creative expression becomes a tool for decolonization and social transformation.
- Cultural Bridging Through Musical Valuesmethodology: cultural-bridging-through-musical-valuesBy fostering openness, generosity, humility, and balanced respect for tradition and innovation, the organization unites artists and audiences across cultural differences, because shared ethical values in music-making create conditions for mutual understanding and connection.
- Diaspora Healing Through Musicmethodology: diaspora_healing_through_musicBy curating music and discussion events rooted in South Asian traditions, the organization heals and unites diasporic communities fractured by global capitalism and ethnonationalism, because shared sonic and narrative experiences restore collective identity and emotional resilience.
- Inclusive Access and Open Collaborationmethodology: open-access musical collaborationBy providing open-access jam sessions and inclusive learning opportunities regardless of background or experience, the organization makes raga music more accessible, because democratic participation lowers barriers to entry and fosters ownership across diverse musical identities.