Julie opened so many creative doors for me. She first came to see me and my father Rajen Sukhadia perform Bollywood songs together at the Machine Project in Echo Park, LA in 2007. At the end of the event, she encouraged me to think bigger and to come to LACMA to meet with her colleagues. Over time, she helped me to believe that I could adapt my ideas about music, Bollywood, history and film to present at the Bing Auditorium. She introduced me to brilliant people like Bindu Gude, her dear colleague, and the three of us imagined all kinds of interesting programming ideas to support LACMA exhibitions. We wanted to do something different, something fresh, and creative. When the Lucknow exhibition was at LACMA in 2011, it was Julie who encouraged me to think about a capstone musical performance focused on tabla maestro Swapan Chaudhuri. That too had to be unique and progressive...not just a concert, but educational and insightful, with multi media. It was a major undertaking, and she kept encouraging me every step of the way. That event was a tremendous success, that opened up the exhibition and the gallery to new audiences, and elevated my confidence to do even more. We had so much fun just brainstorming, and most importantly, actually manifesting ideas. I am forever grateful for her belief in me, and her ability to connect dots that I couldn't see. Where would I be without Julie? She was so innovative in her thinking, and understood the importance of connecting the ancient with the contemporary, and doing it in accessible and fun ways. She deeply loved all South Asian art, and that is why we resonated. The museum world needed and still needs spirits like Julie's to show them new and more relevant pathways to the future. I will miss you so much Julie, and I am so grateful I got to meet you in this lifetime. Thank you for inspiring me, inspiring us all. Dha Dhin Dhin Dha Dha Dhin Dhin Dha Dha Tin Tin Ta TeTe Dhin Dhin Dha...the beat goes on. Love, Robin
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