House of Jaya Journal

A Prescription for Thrillers: How Dr. Elizabeth Abraham is Rewriting the Script One Crime Film at a Time

A Prescription for Thrillers: How Dr. Elizabeth Abraham is Rewriting the Script One Crime Film at a Time

Elizabeth Abraham has two names. In her medical practice, she’s Dr. Abraham, a family physician trained in India, now based in Chicago. But in the world of film, she’s simply Elizabeth: screenwriter, actress, and most recently, executive producer of her debut psychological thriller Text M for Murder. Both titles are accurate, but neither tells the full story. “I’ve always had my heart in storytelling,” she says, a smile lingering in her voice. “Even as a kid, I used to read all the time. That was my release.” Her most recent release? A 10-day shoot in Atlanta, where she wrapped production...

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Wearing Two Worlds: How Third Culture Kids in America Dress

Wearing Two Worlds: How Third Culture Kids in America Dress

Growing up between two or more worlds isn’t easy, but it often comes with an unexpected gift: style with soul. For Third Generation South Asian Americans or Third Culture Kids (TCKs), fashion becomes more than self-expression but a form of quiet storytelling. It’s a way to honor heritage, adapt to their surroundings, and sometimes, rebel a little against both. Who Are South Asian Third Culture Kids? They’re the kids of South Asian parents who’ve built a life outside their native countries—often in the U.S. These children are raised on a blend of Bollywood and Beyoncé, biryani and bagels, Diwali lights...

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The New Indian Formal: How to Wear Traditional Motifs and Textiles to Brunches or Boardrooms

The New Indian Formal: How to Wear Traditional Motifs and Textiles to Brunches or Boardrooms

In today’s fast-paced, multicultural world, fashion has become more than just a form of self-expression—it’s a language. For South Asian Americans navigating multiple identities, fusion fashion offers a powerful way to honor where they come from while embracing where they are. At House of Jaya, we believe clothing can carry culture, confidence, and personal history all at once. That’s why our approach to fusion fashion blends centuries-old South Asian craftsmanship with the structure and edge of modern Western silhouettes. Power Dressing in Silk and Brocade Wearing a zari-threaded motif to a client pitch or a brocade crop top to brunch...

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From Bharatanatyam to Hip-Hop: The Power of Fusion Dance in College

From Bharatanatyam to Hip-Hop: The Power of Fusion Dance in College

Across college campuses from the West Coast to the East Coast, a beautiful, highly competitive, and thriving dance culture exists. It blends traditions that have existed for centuries with modern energy, passion, and intense athleticism. This includes schools such as the University of Illinois, Dartmouth, and the University of Southern California, among many other outstanding institutions. These South Asian collegiate dance teams encompass various styles to create dazzling performances that captivate crowds. These teams are more than just performance groups — they are vibrant communities built around shared culture, discipline, and immense creativity. Dancers rehearse and choreograph routines that fuse...

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