The startling split personalities
Contrary to popular perception, young Indians aren’t shying away from their roots in a bid to fit into the Kiwi culture. Instead they have found a middle ground which enables them to be ideal Indian New Zealanders with ease, writes Shreya Gejji
For long we have been lead to believe that New Zealand born Indians get the short end of the stick. They’re never really Indian enough, but they’re not quite Kiwi either. They’re stuck in the uncomfortable in-between, suggesting that young immigrants and second generation Indians live in some sort of perpetual identity crisis. Nothing could be further from the truth. In our increasingly globalised world, there is an apparent trend developing - youngsters who are now actively seeking out their roots; a deliberate shift away from the obsessive fascination of the West, to a deep desire to understand the culture that was left behind.
Meet Natasha Trilokekar. Born to Maharashtrian parents, Trilokekar, 23, moved here with her family from Mumbai when she was 10 years old. Trilokekar is a highly accomplished Bharatnatyam dancer, having completed her Arengetram at the tender age of 14. For this youngster, her dance has been the anchor that keeps her firmly rooted in her culture and tradition. “Growing up as an Indian in Auckland has often made me wonder where my cultural identity lies. But my Bharatnatyam training has been integral in developing that identity because it has given me a tangible way to stay in touch with my roots.” Here’s what else, she is also distinctly Kiwi. She moved out of home after University to flat with a few friends with the intention of being independent. Earlier this year she got engaged to her long-term boyfriend Damon, a local from New Plymouth. Trilokekar has allowed these two cultures and worlds to co-mingle in her life with startling maturity. “I’ve never had to choose. It hasn’t ever been one culture over another. I feel extremely lucky that I have the unique opportunity to be a Kiwi without losing out on being an Indian. Both these cultures together define who I am today.” she quips.
Ditto for Siddharth Krishnamoorthy, who spent most of his growing years in New Zealand after his family migrated from India. With his strong Kiwi accent, love for sport and obsession with the great Kiwi outdoors, Krishnamoorthy could well be your quintessential New Zealander. Like Trilokekar though, there is more to him than meets the eye. “Music is my passion”, declares the 22-year-old, adding, “My training in the classical art form has been instrumental in helping me understand a lot of what I know today about Indian tradition – from religion and mythology to popular culture”. As for the cultural melange, he says, “It is inevitable that the two cultures will influence and inform each other, and that’s not a bad thing at all. In fact, I reckon it’s pretty great.”
If it’s performing arts for some, it’s spirituality for others. Take Keshav Vedire for example. Youth leader at Chinmaya Mission New Zealand, his deep interest in Indian spirituality and Vedantic thought is what first brought him to the organisation. He is now an active leader, as well as convening weekly spiritual classes he also leads other youth volunteers to fundraise for the mission through creative, positive action. Vedire, an avid and prolific sportsperson, who coaches school tennis and leads indoor netball teams, is about as Kiwi as they come. Says Vedire “My involvement in Chinmaya Mission NZ, has amongst other things, allowed me to stay firmly rooted in Indian traditions whilst remaining completely Kiwi otherwise.”
Trilokekar, Krishnamoorthy and Vedire are not alone. In fact, they may well be amongst the majority – shining examples of young Kiwi-Indians who haven’t lost touch with their cultural roots. Instead, they have found ways to actively engage with it. For them and many others, their quest for developing their cultural identities has lead them to explore and express their relationship with their roots through a host of different platforms.
Evidently, the proverbial washerman’s dog has evolved. He now makes sure he belongs to both the ghar and the ghaat.
Contrary to popular perception, young Indians aren’t shying away from their roots in a bid to fit into the Kiwi culture. Instead they have found a middle ground which enables them to be ideal Indian New Zealanders with ease, writes Shreya Gejji For long we have been lead to believe that New...
Contrary to popular perception, young Indians aren’t shying away from their roots in a bid to fit into the Kiwi culture. Instead they have found a middle ground which enables them to be ideal Indian New Zealanders with ease, writes Shreya Gejji
For long we have been lead to believe that New Zealand born Indians get the short end of the stick. They’re never really Indian enough, but they’re not quite Kiwi either. They’re stuck in the uncomfortable in-between, suggesting that young immigrants and second generation Indians live in some sort of perpetual identity crisis. Nothing could be further from the truth. In our increasingly globalised world, there is an apparent trend developing - youngsters who are now actively seeking out their roots; a deliberate shift away from the obsessive fascination of the West, to a deep desire to understand the culture that was left behind.
Meet Natasha Trilokekar. Born to Maharashtrian parents, Trilokekar, 23, moved here with her family from Mumbai when she was 10 years old. Trilokekar is a highly accomplished Bharatnatyam dancer, having completed her Arengetram at the tender age of 14. For this youngster, her dance has been the anchor that keeps her firmly rooted in her culture and tradition. “Growing up as an Indian in Auckland has often made me wonder where my cultural identity lies. But my Bharatnatyam training has been integral in developing that identity because it has given me a tangible way to stay in touch with my roots.” Here’s what else, she is also distinctly Kiwi. She moved out of home after University to flat with a few friends with the intention of being independent. Earlier this year she got engaged to her long-term boyfriend Damon, a local from New Plymouth. Trilokekar has allowed these two cultures and worlds to co-mingle in her life with startling maturity. “I’ve never had to choose. It hasn’t ever been one culture over another. I feel extremely lucky that I have the unique opportunity to be a Kiwi without losing out on being an Indian. Both these cultures together define who I am today.” she quips.
Ditto for Siddharth Krishnamoorthy, who spent most of his growing years in New Zealand after his family migrated from India. With his strong Kiwi accent, love for sport and obsession with the great Kiwi outdoors, Krishnamoorthy could well be your quintessential New Zealander. Like Trilokekar though, there is more to him than meets the eye. “Music is my passion”, declares the 22-year-old, adding, “My training in the classical art form has been instrumental in helping me understand a lot of what I know today about Indian tradition – from religion and mythology to popular culture”. As for the cultural melange, he says, “It is inevitable that the two cultures will influence and inform each other, and that’s not a bad thing at all. In fact, I reckon it’s pretty great.”
If it’s performing arts for some, it’s spirituality for others. Take Keshav Vedire for example. Youth leader at Chinmaya Mission New Zealand, his deep interest in Indian spirituality and Vedantic thought is what first brought him to the organisation. He is now an active leader, as well as convening weekly spiritual classes he also leads other youth volunteers to fundraise for the mission through creative, positive action. Vedire, an avid and prolific sportsperson, who coaches school tennis and leads indoor netball teams, is about as Kiwi as they come. Says Vedire “My involvement in Chinmaya Mission NZ, has amongst other things, allowed me to stay firmly rooted in Indian traditions whilst remaining completely Kiwi otherwise.”
Trilokekar, Krishnamoorthy and Vedire are not alone. In fact, they may well be amongst the majority – shining examples of young Kiwi-Indians who haven’t lost touch with their cultural roots. Instead, they have found ways to actively engage with it. For them and many others, their quest for developing their cultural identities has lead them to explore and express their relationship with their roots through a host of different platforms.
Evidently, the proverbial washerman’s dog has evolved. He now makes sure he belongs to both the ghar and the ghaat.
Leave a Comment