Our perspectives are always subject to change. We believe in certain things very strongly at some point of time, and later, might contradict ourselves. What doesn't change is our search for identity during both growing up years and as adults.
Being in a foreign land, I have become more sure of myself than before. I know what my roots are. I know where I come from. My culture, tradition, language, etc. During my teenage, I hated the fact that I had to attend functions and family gatherings during weekends. I din't like the people. They always sounded so 'traditional.' My parents were a little strict with me. They never let me go to pubs, discos and the likes till the last year of college. The want to be more 'Western' was very strong. It was the 'in-thing.'
(Of course, I was very rebellious and did whatever I wanted to).
Today, someone said, "we Europeans haven't had to make that choice, as we are the 'western culture', but people from traditional societies must be given a choice. The choice between their culture and the western culture. they should be allowed to choose what they want."
Why should we choose which culture we want? Should there be a choice at all? Isn't the answer obvious?
In the past 3-4 years, I have come to love my people. I have come to appreciate the importance of tradition, culture, history, society, etc. We can never deny the fact that we are a part of the society. We live and interact with these people. Our traditions (most Indian traditions) are quite scientific. We are bound to nature, people and the all mighty, through these traditions and culture.
Now, that I'm an adult and in a different country, I am free to go to as many parties as I want to. I feel bored after and hour or two. The culture is very different. People do not want to talk and contemplate on matters far, far away...
In the 'western world,' I've become what I rebelled against - "Traditional." I feel the connection with my land and people more than ever.
My experiences as a kid in a developing country, a rebellious teenager who blindly aped the west and now, as a woman, strongly connected to my roots; have made me what I am.
I miss subtle things like the enchanting smell of the earth when the first few drops of rain fall on it, the music of the monsoons, the sounds of squirrels, the street wenders yelling, the natural greenery all around, the aroma of the diversity in food, the sun, etc...
All native and traditional cultures, I guess, have had to face this dilemma. Only time can tell what choices individuals make and how it effects the tradition.
The big question is,
"Will our tradition and culture survive?"
"Will our kids be as mature as us and choose our culture?"
Being in a foreign land, I have become more sure of myself than before. I know what my roots are. I know where I come from. My culture, tradition, language, etc. During my teenage, I hated the fact that I had to attend functions and family gatherings during weekends. I din't like the people. They always sounded so 'traditional.' My parents were a little strict with me. They never let me go to pubs, discos and the likes till the last year of college. The want to be more 'Western' was very strong. It was the 'in-thing.'
(Of course, I was very rebellious and did whatever I wanted to).
Today, someone said, "we Europeans haven't had to make that choice, as we are the 'western culture', but people from traditional societies must be given a choice. The choice between their culture and the western culture. they should be allowed to choose what they want."
Why should we choose which culture we want? Should there be a choice at all? Isn't the answer obvious?
In the past 3-4 years, I have come to love my people. I have come to appreciate the importance of tradition, culture, history, society, etc. We can never deny the fact that we are a part of the society. We live and interact with these people. Our traditions (most Indian traditions) are quite scientific. We are bound to nature, people and the all mighty, through these traditions and culture.
Now, that I'm an adult and in a different country, I am free to go to as many parties as I want to. I feel bored after and hour or two. The culture is very different. People do not want to talk and contemplate on matters far, far away...
In the 'western world,' I've become what I rebelled against - "Traditional." I feel the connection with my land and people more than ever.
My experiences as a kid in a developing country, a rebellious teenager who blindly aped the west and now, as a woman, strongly connected to my roots; have made me what I am.
I miss subtle things like the enchanting smell of the earth when the first few drops of rain fall on it, the music of the monsoons, the sounds of squirrels, the street wenders yelling, the natural greenery all around, the aroma of the diversity in food, the sun, etc...
All native and traditional cultures, I guess, have had to face this dilemma. Only time can tell what choices individuals make and how it effects the tradition.
The big question is,
"Will our tradition and culture survive?"
"Will our kids be as mature as us and choose our culture?"
Have been waiting for this quite some time now :)
ReplyDeleteTrue to your nature, a very passionate first post.
Keep blogging!