Indian-American
This section in dedicated to diverse cultures from India to
which become incorporated into the American
society
Assamese-American
Namaskar নমস্কাৰ
Assam is a part of the Seven Sisters of Northeast India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura + "brother" state Sikkim). The state of Assam is a wonderous state full of natural beauty and diverse culture. In the US, the population of Assamese Americans is pretty unknown, but a rough estimation shows that a couple of thousand people in the US claim their culture in Assam. This is the state where most of my family resides and where I always visit my family members from both my mother's and father's sides every 5 years. The best part about visiting is experiencing the mix of cultures (Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Tribal) and viewing the breathtaking natural beauty of Assam's rivers and tea gardens. Living in the US I love partaking in cooking (and eating!) local Assamese cuisine. A variety of these cuisines include momo (Dumplings filled with meat or veggies), variations of sweet pitha (Inida crepes filled with sweet fillings), and Shidhol Shutki (a chutney dish comprised of dried fish and simple ingredients). Besides food, I also love wearing the traditional saree in Assam. A saree is a traditional drape of clothing found among Indian women and is very unique to each state of India. In Assam, we call our drape the Mekhela Sador. This outfit is very special as it represents my identity through intricate details that are traditional in Assam.
-Sreisti Chowdhury
Bengali-American
Nomoshkar নমস্কার
Bengalis can be found in West Bengal, India alongside the country of Bangladesh. However, as an ethnic Bengali, my family is from the state of Assam. Bordering the area of Bangladesh and India by separation of a river. Within the US Bengalies make up a huge growing population with roughly a 300,000+ population. Within the people of India Bengali is considered one of the sweetest languages and tends to be held at a high position in terms of literature. This is especially due to the many literature, culture, and arts that came during the Bengali Renaissance. Where we had the rise of Rabindranath Tagore, who earned a Nobel Prize in Literature due to his Bengali Poems such as the one created into the song "Ekla Chalo Re" (Meaning "Go by yourself"). In addition to great literature, Bengalis are very well known for the festivities in Durga Puja. During this Bengalis gather and worship the goddess Durga. The goddess Durga to many in India represents strength and divine feminity and many Bengalis have different ways to celebrate the festival. With some celebrating Durga's victory over the demon king Mahisasura as a symbol of good over evil. While others like my family celebrate the festival as the journey Duga makes back to her home on Earth. Traditionally my family DIYs a shrine every year and makes loads of food in honor of the goddess for all the days of the Puja. Marking this festival as one of close cultural connection!
-Sreisti Chowdhury
Rajasthani -American
Rajasthan is a state in northwestern India, with a captivating blend of history, rich culture, and natural splendor. For me, Rajasthan is the place that I was most exposed to when I was younger. There is where my mom's side of the family lives, so when going to India almost every year, we spend most of the time there. In fact, this summer of 2024, I am going again for 2 months, so excited for that! The beautiful region is famous for its palaces and forts like the Amber Fort in Jaipur, the Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur, and the City Palace in Udaipur. Living in America, it is quite difficult to find affordable Indian clothing/ jewelry (I'm sure every desi can relate). That's why, Indian shopping happens in and only in India. In Rajasthan, bustling markets like Johari Bazaar in Jaipur and Clock Tower Market in Jodhpur, have all kinds of vibrant textiles, handicrafts, jewelry, and traditional attire like bandhani sarees and lehengas. Not only is it much cheaper (especially if you're a good bargainer), but the amount of things you have to browse, is a lot more appealing and plentiful than shopping in America. Such so, that my family always packs an extra bag when going, just to barely fit all the dresses and jewelry we buy from there. My love for Rajasthan is beyond the limits of expression. I hope to continue to go even after I graduate and never lose sight of my heritage that stems from the beautiful state of Rajasthan.
-Maansi Pandey
Uttar Pradesh - American
This is the state that my Dad is from. Though I have not visited as much as I have my mom's place, I still hold deep value and a sense of belonging within it. Specifically, my dad and his family are from the capital city, Lucknow. The culture has a blend of kebabs, nawabs, and architectural elegance. The city resonates with poetry, music, and the legacy of the Nawabi era. One thing I love about UP is the soft and romantic element incorporated into the way they speak. To clarify, as early as 1000–30 CE, the Mughal Empire held control over Uttar Pradesh during significant periods of history (estimated to be around 200 years). This dominance led to the merging of several Urdu words and mannerisms of speech within Uttar Pradesh. The beauty of UP's poems and songs have such beauty and comfort with the blend of Urdu and Hindi language. The remnants of their rule can still be seen in architectural marvels such as Fatehpur Sikri, Allahabad Fort, and Agra Fort. My favorite place to be is the place that is well known even in the United States, the Taj Mahal. Though many recognize the beautiful structure, not many are aware of the reason why it was made. The Taj Mahal was commissioned by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1631. He built it in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who passed away while giving birth to their child, Gauhara Begum. This signifies the importance of love within the culture of Uttar Pradesh as Shah Jahan’s deep love for his wife led him to create this magnificent monument as a tribute to her memory. Uttar Pradesh is so depth in its culture and is unique in its own way. Here in America, I have many friends and family who learn the dance, Kathak. It is one of the main genres of ancient Indian classical dance and the Lucknow Gharana of Kathak was founded by Ishwari Prasad, a devotee of the Bhakti movement. It emphasizes both dance and acting. Every time I visit, there is always something I come across that captivates my attention and increases my admiration for the region.
-Maansi Pandey
Telugu -American
Telangana is a part of central India, leading towards the more southern culture. It is known as "the south of the north" and the "north of the south" due its location. Being part of South India, the most commonly spoken language in Telangana isn't Hindi, but instead Telugu with most people living there not being able to fluently speak Hindi. It is the youngest state in India having separated from Andhra Pradesh in 2014 due to political differences. It 's capital, Hyderabad, is known for its great culture and large jewelry trade. You can find the infamous Hyderabadi Biryani there! A lot of famous movies have originally been made there as well. Telangana, specifically hosts majority of Tollywood films (Telugu film industry). Recently, in 2023, one of these films, RRR, won an Oscar for best original song with "Naatu Naatu". This was monumental as Naatu Naatu was the first ever Indian song to win an Oscar. Telangana was where I was born and where I visit my family. I have not been able to visit often, but when I do, I just am in awe of how different the culture is there compared to. The fashion in specific is something I find beautiful with women most commonly wearing Gadwal Sari, Pochampally Silk Sari, and Ikat Sar. Overall Telangana is a beautiful and diverse state that has made a large impact in India and globally as well!
-Anwita Kalyanapu
