About Us

Since 2014, AADI has brought movies, music, reading club, artist talks, and literature in an effort to bring South Asian culture to educate and entertain the fast increasing South Asian population in Austin. AADI has also shared information and collaborated with other cities in an effort to spread the word about the presence of South Asian talent.

In 2012, Pakistani artists, students of creative arts, film makers and journalists started coming to Austin at the invitation of the South Asia Institute at UT Austin. For community outreach and engagment, the institute began inviting the South Asian diaspora to events at the University that were open to the public. Like-minded friends who eventually formed AADI started spreading the word and providing community support to the artists. They drew in a crowd to a music concert showcasing South Asian artists at UT Austin. At the same time, South Asian artists started taking part in SXSW Fest, an annual festival that draws people from all countries of the world. It became visible that Austinites of South Asian back grounds craved for their arts. So the friends decided to establish a non-profit in 2014 to provide such opportunities, spread the word and organize cultural events for entertainment and at the same time education of the next generation to keep them abreast of the colorful heritage they are a part of.

Since then, AADI has brought free concerts, Pakistani movies, Austin Desi Limits, provided research for Koop Radio 91.7 FM episode about Pakistan, drawn crowds towards South Asian events in the city, book readings and author talks, hosted Shop South Asia at a local boutique and started a Reading Room. The journey continues…