WeLcome to the Treehouse
Berkeley, CA
The Banyan Tree is a space to celebrate the beauty of South Asian Art.
Our Font
Our typeface was created by The Typecraft Initiative. In their own words: “We work with craftswomen, indigenous artists, refugees and other marginalized people to create beautifully designed display typefaces, in a way that engenders dialogue, mutual respect, authorship and a safe space to fail, learn and share with each other.”
The Baiga Tattoo Typeface is inspired by Baiga tattoo art, known as godna, an ancient tradition among the Baiga tribe of Central India.
Geometric, nature-inspired designs are created using soot-based ink—believed to be the only adornment that accompanies a person into the afterlife.
The tattoos are traditionally applied by women called godharins who pass the practice through generations.
The Baiga tribe has faced decades of forced displacement from their forest homelands, often because of government tiger conservation initiatives. As younger generations face discrimination for their tattoos and assimilate into urban life, the number of women still practicing godna has dwindled to just dozens, with artists warning the tradition may vanish within decades. The Typeface Initiative works to employ artists and preserve their art through type. If you appreciate their work, please consider supporting them!
Our Colors
Our colors are a poem of real memories that we hold dear.
Pink is the pomegranate your grandmother carefully peels, feeding you with her own hands so she can tell you she loves you without words.
Orange is the flowers staining your fingertips as you string garlands with your aunties, the scent of cardamom, ginger, and hot chai fills the room.
Yellow is the haldi paste smoothed onto your face by your mother, and her laughter as you squirm away.
Green is the banyan leaves pattering in the monsoon rains, as your grandfather tells a tale.
Our Space
Our light-filled space is a living collection of South Asian art prints, books, board games, and music, each with its own history and story to tell. We want to show you just a few of those stories.
Remove Nazar
Before we can go further, we just have to pause for a quick nazar check!
Our Kali Pillow from People Tree, an art studio based in Goa.
South Indian mask to scare away malice and envy.
Marapachi Dolls given from mother to daughter in Karnataka with the power of maternal protection.
Our Fun
We love music, games, and books of all sorts. But here are a few of the things we are playing and reading at the Banyan Tree right now.
The Mandolin Sisters who proved that Carnatic Music is the original Rock. Sabri Brothers Qawwali dedicated to the Persian poetry of Jami. Rupa Biswas whose forgotten 1982 Bengali Disco Jazz will make you see granny coolness with new eyes.
Masala Mix is truly hilarious fun for Desi families of all ages and mixtures! The PODI Life playing cards fill classic card games with cute, mouth-watering illustrations of South Indian food/cooking. SHASN will make you think deeply about what causes political corruption.
Ahmed Aziz is having a tough year in Minnesota, but could learning from family history unlock the secret to turning this year around? Bhimayana is a graphic novel about BR Ambedkar’s life and thought. VANNI is another graphic novel that shares a family’s journey through the Sri Lankan Civil War.
Our Prints
We love South Asian art of all periods, but here are a few postcolonial prints.
Film Poster of Mother India, released in 1957. This poster is a reminder of the labor-centered, socialist themes of post-independence Indian cinema. It is also a reminder of the importance Muslim Indians have played in India’s film industry, with Nargis (born Fatima Rashid) playing Mother India.
There he is — it’s the Maharaja himself, next to a Kabuki dancer. Before Air India was known for… well you know… it was known for its hilarious little mustachioed Maharaja. He traveled the world, and he made sure his posters showed it. This one for Tokyo was made by Rajesh M. Kharat in the early 1960s.
Maria Qamar is a first-generation Canadian artist, born in Pakistan. Their South Asian pop art rocks our walls. Some of the first things you see when you enter the Banyan Treehouse are these friendly ladies who just wish to kindly remind you — the aunties are watching… so make sure you eat seconds and thirds!
The Cats
We have 3 cute, shy cats - and every kind of allergy med at the door for those who need it!
