On September 14th in West Berkeley, under bright sunshine, the South Asian Women’s History Mural project took a big step forward and brought so many people together.

By 3 pm, Vik’s Chaat was buzzing. Grandparents with grandkids, young parents with toddlers, neighbors walking their dogs, people stopping by after lunch—all ages showed up, brush in hand, with Bollywood music blasting in the background. The smell of fresh paint mixed with the smell of chaat drifting from inside.

ARTogether’s team and volunteers had set up everything: stations for brushes, buckets for paint mixing, and plenty of wipes for little “oops” moments. Many first-time mural painters jumped right in after a quick demo on how to stay in the lines and keep brushes clean. The energy was easy and joyful. Kids laughing as they tried their hand at painting, elders pointing out patterns that felt familiar, friends comparing paint splatters on their shoes.

One passerby, Amir, told us, “I came for food and had no idea this was happening. I’m canceling my afternoon plans to stay here and paint!” With Amir and more than 90 other volunteers pitching in, the bottom section of the mural came to life. By the end

 of the day, we had color blocks, floral designs, phulkari-inspired embroidery patterns, and the hems of the women’s clothing all shining on the wall. As the evening sun hit the fresh paint, the design started to stand out in bold, beautiful ways.

For anyone new to Vik’s Chaat, it’s not just a restaurant—it’s a community landmark. Since 1989, the Chopra family has been serving chaat and regional snacks, making it a home away from home for the South Asian community in the Bay Area. It’s a place of flavor, gathering, and connection, and now, it’s also the canvas for this important mural.

The day wasn’t just about painting. Community historians Barnali Ghosh and Anirvan Chatterjee shared stories about the women who will appear on the mural. Leaders like Kala Bagai, Kartar Dhillon, Iqbal Bano, Dakshayani Veluyudhan, and Rokeya Begum. Barnali talked about the ways that South Asians have shaped local history in the Bay, even if they weren’t in the textbooks. Anirvan connected these stories to bigger themes of immigration, exclusion, labor, and resistance, reminding us that these histories still echo in our lives today.

By the end of the day, we left with paint on our hands and smiles on our faces. The foundation of the mural is set, and we can’t wait for what’s next—more color, more faces, more stories, and many more paint days. Stay tuned for the unveiling when the full mural is ready to be seen.

If you’d like to help keep this project moving, you can support by donating to the mural fund here.