When one thinks of reconnecting with one’s culture, their first thought is probably grand cultural celebrations and traditions. While I do agree that these things are important, for me personally, it was simply the little things: being there with my family when it really mattered.Â
This summer I had the privilege of visiting my family in India after five whole years. Being overseas comes with its own challenges in terms of culture. Sometimes there is this boundary between my American and Indian identity which I must balance. However, returning to India gave me a chance to seek a new perspective. I was finally old enough to really understand and appreciate the cultural experiences that I had taken for granted previously and explore my culture more in depth in my motherland. Through uniting with my relatives in Hyderabad, India, here are some core subjects I emphasized during my five weeks in India that have helped me reconnect and appreciate my South Asian culture.Â
Traditional food
It’s no surprise that it’s stated that Indian food is one of the best cuisines in the world. However, besides the taste, it stands as one of the first ways that I became more acclimated to my culture. Though I often eat traditional homemade food at home, experiencing authentic food in India felt completely different. From Hyderabadi Biriyani (a mixed rice dish), pani puri (a tangy hollow shell filled with toppings), and countless dosas (a savory Indian crepe), each dish came with its own sense of familiarity that is hard to find back in the States. One of my favorite memories was mornings spent sharing cups of masala chai (a spiced milk tea) and biscuits with my grandparents. Though this experience was just a simple everyday tradition we held, it was yet one of the most meaningful ways we bonded together throughout the entire trip.
In my family, it’s also common for everyone to sit together and enjoy meals for dinner. I haven’t seen many of my relatives in five years, including my little cousins who have grown faster than I expected them to. With that, these meals were something I looked forward to every night because they gave us the opportunity to catch up with each other’s lives and strengthen connections that were harder to maintain considering the distance apart.
Fashion and Cultural Style
Growing up in the United States, I often only wear traditional desi clothing for special occasions and gatherings. However, in India, I noticed that it’s expressed daily and casually. Nowadays, people take a modern turn on Indian fashion by casually wearing the kurta (loose tunics), jhumkas (bell-shaped earrings), and baggy jeans. Seeing everyone represent the beauty behind traditional desi clothing (even if it was in a modern way) provided me the confidence to express my culture publicly. I have grown to adore the accessories/jewelry that India has displayed, including the various styles of bangles, earrings, and necklaces that are glammed up with stones. Coming back to the States, I have decided to express my culture subtly in my own way by wearing kajal (a traditional eyeliner) and a bindi (a decorative jewel or dot worn on the forehead) daily.Â
Travel
Visiting different places and landmarks has helped me deeply connect with my culture. For instance, it has made me appreciative of my motherland geographically. My mother’s and father’s side of the family takes an overnight trip to travel from, so taking a sleeper bus or coach train wasn’t out of the ordinary. Through the windows, I was able to see breathtaking views that aren’t as common back in the States, such as rice fields and even a rural village. In terms of national landmarks, I visited Charminar (a large palace located in Hyderabad) a few times. Seeing the monument a couple of times in person helped me appreciate the history surrounding the palace. Walking through the many stalls and vendors in Charminar has allowed me to view the traditional accessories, snacks, and trinkets that made me feel more connected to my culture.
Family
Ultimately, the heart of my trip goes to my family, which consists of my grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles. Since I haven’t been back in India in nearly five years, many of my relatives have changed in ways that were hard to read off of a single WhatsApp call. Whether we shared traditional meals, travelled together across the country, or stayed up late at night catching up, these memories became one of the most meaningful ones from my trip. Simply being together felt special and served as a collection of memories that I will cherish forever.
My trip to India was much more than a vacation. It was a chance to redeem myself by being more appreciative of my unique culture. Through traditional food, fashion, national landmarks, and most importantly, my family, I was able to not only gain some core memories but have an even stronger connection to my culture by growing the confidence to freely express it.