Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Yeh Desh Hai Mera




Growing up in India and moving here in your teenage years is an experience unlike any other. You are old enough to learn so much about the Indian culture and young enough to adapt to your new environment. I feel like its such a blessing the get to see both countries so up close and personal. You can never get the feel for either by just visiting. Whats hard though, is feeling 100% faithful to both or balancing your love for either.

Its hard to be in America and not want to be American. To live the American Dream, a life full of luxuries and minimal expectations, an "easy" lifestyle. But then there is the love for everything Indian. Food, people, fashion, culture, drama and emotions. Life would just not be right without those.

I was listening to a Bhangra song the other day that I had danced to a few years ago. The beats gave me goosebumps. I felt an emotion that is unlike anything else. This feeling of closeness to a culture that is so me regardless of how americanized my life gets. Its amazing how a small thing like a dhol beat can stir you up and shake the ground. Make you feel the love for the other part of you that is so often not as in touch.