I first encountered local writer/activist Hawah last fall at a Subcontinental Drift open mic night. He was performing as a member of ShantiSalaam, a collective of local South Asian American artists who toured 11 cities in India and Pakistan in late 2006/early 2007 to promote tolerance among South Asians of different religious backgrounds. The group's performance used music, spoken word, and audience interaction to address issues of intolerance between individuals and the institutional forces that encourage this mindset. Hawah's writing not only deals with these issues, but also broader global issues dealing with conflict, prejudice, poverty and social justice.

On first glance, Hawah may come across as just another "new agey" type, but even a slight scratch to the surface reveals a man of deep intelligence, passion and commitment to the broader good. In addition to being a published writer of prose and poetry, Hawah's creativity extends to multiple disciplines including painting, performance art, and music. It is more than just the creative process that drives him, as he also has a strong commitment to affect social change. This makes him a notable member of a small but growing group of local artists who do not see a distinction between artistry and activism.

Hawah, who was born Rajeev Kasat, spent a considerable amount of time in India as a child. Seeing the rampant poverty there informed his world view and drove him to work on issues of social justice. As a member of Americorps, he worked as a community organizer and mentor to elementary school students in D.C.'s poorest neighborhoods. Hawah co-founded his first non-profit community organization in 2000, and in 2001 he received a fellowship that allowed him to travel to Geneva, Switzerland and Durban, South Africa, where he worked closely with the United Nations and the World Conference Against Racism and Discrimination. More recently, he has taught in D.C.'s public schools, lectured on college campuses, and is also a certified yoga instructor, a practice he uses as vehicle for change. DCist interviewed Hawah to get some insight into his creative process and his views on this city.

What is the significance of your name and how did you receive it?

The name chosen for me by my biological parents was Rajeev Radhakrishna Kasat. Along the journey, a few years ago, the mountain and wind reclaimed me as one of their own and insisted my name change and remain HAWAH. All the details of this transformation will have to wait for a future interview. The story is way too long for the time we have now. Let me suffice to say, changing your name when you are 27 years old is no easy task, it has required patience and compassion, something I am always striving to develop further in my dealings with others and myself.

Tell us a bit about your background. How does your upbringing and heritage affect your work and outlook, if at all?

My physical body entered the world in the United States. I was raised here with frequent visits to India once every few years. I have had an immensely privileged life, traveling in the past eight years to over 23 countries, and have been given the opportunity to serve others.

Never have I had to worry about going hungry—when or if I would receive food, medicine, or if I could afford to see a doctor if I was sick. Never did I concern myself with where the money would come from for a new pair of shoes or shirt. This was the situation I was born into, access to free education and some of the best universities in the world. It has been through my travels that I have realized I desire nothing more but to share and bring to others who are less materially fortunate the same opportunities that I have.

You have several projects going on including your poetry, performance art, and activism. Tell us about the different projects you have going on and how do they affect each other, if at all?

I’m an Everlutionary. I’ve been a spoken word poet for almost 8 years, although the idea of “performing” and "entertaining" folks doesn’t appeal to me anymore. You’ll find me these days doing more interactive book readings, reading poetry, and facilitating dialogue.

One Common Unity is the name of the non-profit organization I helped start in 2000. Currently, we have two dynamic flagship summer youth programs: 1) A NU View, which is a youth filmmaking initiative that through a lens of non-violence creates documentaries which offer solutions to social problems, and 2) The Young Women’s Drumming Empowerment Project, which provides teenage girls in DC with a space to increase their self-esteem through drumming, poetry, dance, theater and art.

I also have just started a workshop series called, The Poetry of Yoga. During these classes I infuse my poetry with yoga teaching. Also, I co-facilitate an event on the first Wednesday of every month called Yo! Drum, with a friend Kristen Arant. This is an awesome event, one hour of drumming taught by Kristen and then one hour of yoga taught by me. I’m also teaching two “Alternatives to Violence” classes at a public high school in DC.

You have published some of your written work. Tell us about your writing and where can our readers find it?

As of now I have published 3 books. The first book is called TRAILS: Trust Before Suspicion, and was published by Infinity Publishing in August 2001. The author name you will find registered to this book is Rajeev R. Kasat, since this book was published before my name changed. Trust Before Suspicion is a collection of true stories, poetry, photographs, and drawings that was first released in South Africa, during the World Conference Against Racism. It documents my journey while traveling on a boat around the world, hitchhiking across the U.S., and journeying over 2,500 miles alone through Africa.

The second book Everlutionary: Escape Extinction was originally published in October 2003. I am currently working on a revised extended edition that will be complete by year’s end. The book examines major obstacles preventing humanity from achieving peace in the world. It is an analysis of war and peace, love and hate, compassion and violence. zerONEss, my the third book, was independently published in December 2005. A collection of poetry and prose, it is intended for those desiring to dig into the foundation of the universe's patient existence. The book inspires contemplation, challenges traditional understandings about unity and origin, and encourages the reader to meditate upon breaking limits. You can find my first book at Barnes and Noble and other major bookstores. The second and third books may be purchased online through my web site.

How has D.C. affected your varied activities and your creative process? Do you find the community here receptive to what you are trying to accomplish?

I love D.C. I’ve been living here on and off for almost 12 years. I am planting roots here. It’s got lots of open spaces and parks. It’s big enough to always have something going on, but not so big that you feel overwhelmed and that you’re always missing one event when you go to another. The community here is open, supportive, and receptive for sure, but you’ve gotta find your community. You gotta find the folks that appreciate you. That’s the key, no matter where you are. The museums and various art exhibits here in D.C. have definitely left a large impression on the way I view art and create art.

Who are some local artists/individuals that you admire? Are there any people for whom we should be on the lookout?

Be on the look out for a great friend of mine named Omekongo Dibinga. We used to tour together under the title Thunder and Enlightening. Apart from being an unbelievable poet and rapper, he is the founding CEO of Free Your Mind Publishing and the author of two books and three CDs.

Also keep your ears peeled to the ground for Shahid Buttar. I never knew I had a twin brother until we met in front of the Supreme Court during a protest back in 2003. He has just released a new CD called Get out of Your Chair!. He’s an MC, activist, journalist, lawyer, and all around forward looking cat.

Who do you look to for inspiration, both in terms of your community efforts and your creative projects?

The children and teenagers I work with in the schools certainly provide me with the largest gust of inspiration. One of the things that I draw creative energy from and keeps me in D.C. is also Malcolm X [Meridian Hill] Park. I’ve been going practically every Sunday during the summertime for the community drum circles and throwing the frisbee with friends for many years. I’ve been all around the world and only on rare occasions experienced such a diverse collection of drummers and dancers.

When did you start developing your creative and community building tendencies? What inspired you to begin this parallel journey?

I’ve always wanted to help. I believe my lens and commitment to social justice was fueled when I was living with family members in India who had no running water or electricity, then coming back to the U.S. where I would just see refrigerators filled with food simply spoiling. That always caused a sharp pain in chest to witness and something deep inside me wouldn’t accept it as right. I used to volunteer at soup kitchens when I was in middle and high school. By the time I got to college I was caught up in partying, you know the baggage that comes along with that. After 2 years of college I had to drop out, it actually scared the shit out of my mom. I left school, because I wasn’t feeling fulfilled. The friends I had and the way I was living, it just felt like something was wrong. So I joined Americorps after seeing a sign on campus that said help underprivileged children and make money while doing so.

This 1 year experience out of college changed my life. I came back to college focused and sure that I would stop messing around and do something to help heal all the pain that I was seeing around me. First, of course, I had to heal myself. I did this through writing, constantly writing, poetry and verse, journaling, dancing, and painting. I believe my creativity has grown out of my frustration, hope, confusion, and compassion for other living beings.

Do you have any notable upcoming projects in the works?

The release of my second album, CALL, is expected Fall 2008. I’ve been collaborating with amazing musicians and artists to put this one together, so be on the look out. You can also keep on your radar the EVERLUTIONARY Book Series, Book 2, called Survival For All of Us, which is scheduled to drop between 2010 – 2012.

Photo from Hawah's MySpace page