Bridging Cultures – Responsibility of the Next Generation

As a young Indian girl growing up in America, my parents and organizations like STICA has helped me understand and bridge cultures in various forms. I am hoping to see the future generations continue accepting the Indian values and bridging it with the American culture.

Dance has been a passion since my childhood. I have been learning western dance forms such as Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop etc. from the age of 4 and I have been learning Bharatanatyam for the past 4 years. Bharatanatyam is one of the many Indian classical art forms. This year at my Bharatanatyam dance school, my teacher wanted to include a performance at the annual recital combining Bharatanatyam and Ballet. I was given the opportunity to perform Ballet with my Bharatanatyam group, as I was the only student at her dance school who has been learning Ballet. I thought this was an amazing way to combine cultures!

Clothing & jewelry, especially for young girls like me is a fashion statement. Both are very popular in India and America. One thing I hear from a lot of people in America is that Indian clothes are so beautiful and so colorful. Wouldn’t it be nice to wear a pair of jeans with some Indian designs on it? Adding some essence of both cultures in clothes and jewelry will be so beautiful. I once bought a pair of earrings that have peacock feathers on them. The reason I bought them is because it reminds me of India. There are so many peacocks at my grandmom’s house and these earrings bring back those memories for me. I love to pair those earrings with my western outfits.

Living and growing up in America has taught me to respect both cultures and I am grateful to people who put efforts to bring everyone together.

India & America – Two culture, one Identiity

India and America are two very different countries with their unique traditions, cultures, and lifestyles. India is known for their colourful festivals and their rich and unique culture, history. America on the other hand inspires creativity, innovation through freedom to express. India a mosaic of languages, religions and believes. America is like a melting pot or a salad bowl, welcoming global cultures. With strength of both countries is through ‘unity in diversity’. Indian culture is now part of American fabric, through Yoga events, Diwali celebrations, and music/ Bollywood. American hip-hop, Hollywood, technology driven lifestyle shaping youth culture in India. Indian cuisine is one of the fastest growing in America, and American fast food & coffee culture is growing Indian cities. The two vibrant democracies; world’s largest having shared values and bring guided by the constitution.

Indian community is one of the most educated, impactful communities; with student groups, technology leaders, startups living a blended identity. Second generation Indian-Americans balance both identities; celebrating Diwali and Halloween in the same household. From tandoori dishes to Barbeque; both are bringing families, friends together to share food, thoughts, and blessings together. Digital world is helping youth connect with instant sharing across people, cultures, beliefs, traditions and adapting a way where all can live together. As I have started living between these two worlds over last seven months; I will get to learn, know about, and celebrate two different types of traditions (4th July, Holi, Thanksgiving, Diwali, Christmas, Vaisakhi...) all under one Identity which will give me some nice experience that would help me shape as an individual and human being. Two rivers flowing from different origins but meeting at shared oceans bringing their cultural currents in to one global tide- diverse, dynamic, and united.