From The Peopling of New York City
Interview Questions - Bollywood Music 2
1) Could you tell me about your background? Your name, age, current location, ethnicity/race, school.. also, can you indicate whether you were born here in the U.S. or elsewhere, and/or if you come from an immigrant background (you and/or your parents) if this is true for you?
I am an Indian/South Asian. I'm 18 years old, I live in Valley Stream, NY and I go to CUNY Queens College. I was born in the US and have lived here all my life, visiting India every few years. My parents are immigrants from India.
2) How often do you listen to Bollywood music? Do you listen to it more or less than other genres of music?
I listen to Bollywood music all the time, every day. I listen to it the most than all other genres of music.
3) How were you introduced to Bollywood music? (friends, family, etc.) Does it act as a social component in your life, or would you rather listen to it by yourself?
I was introduced to Bollywood music when I was very young. My family use to watch movies in which the songs were played. Additionally, every time we went to a family get together, a party, a wedding etc. there would be Bollywood music playing. I listen to Bollywood music all the time, whether it is with friends and family or alone so yes it can serve as a social component as well. Since I am a teenager, just like all American teenagers, Indian teenagers can also make friends and meet one another by listening to similar types of music.
4) Do you feel obligated to listen to Bollywood music as part of your culture? If not, what attracts you to it?
I do not feel obligated to listen to Bollywood music at all. The fact that it is music is the attractive quality itself I guess. I've been listening to Bollywood music ever since I was young so I feel very comfortable with it. I think the attractive qualities of Bollywood music are the same as attractive qualities of general music. I listen to music to get my mind away from things, to simply enjoy the music and the lyrics and relax. It gives me a sense of comfort and familiarity.
5) Can you compare Bollywood music to any other type of music? Is there anything that truly distinguishes Bollywood music apart from other types of music?
I think that Bollywood music is really just like every other type of music. The only thing that would distinguish it in my opinion, is the obvious, the fact that it is in Hindi. One thing though, often, the songs are played in Bollywood movies with their own separate scenes. American movies don't exactly have that. It's just singers coming out with albums. In Bollywood though, not only do different singers come up with their own albums, but songs are also played in Bollywood movies so they become very well-known.
6) What types of messages/themes do you get from listening? Do you often agree with the music's message?
Most messages and themes of Bollywood music deals with Love. It's the typical guy fell in love with girl and vice versa with each expressing their feelings toward one another through a song.
7) Whenever I hear about bollywood music/movies, I automatically think about South Asian and Indian culture. Why do you think South Asians, I guess Indians specifically, give rise and feed into this Bollywood industry of music and movies? What is it that boldly defines it commercially and/or culturally, do you think, even in the western world?
I think that most South Asians give rise and feed into the Bollywood industry because they take pride in their culture and want to see it go far, like entertainment industries in other countries such as the US. Additionally, I feel that American South Asians feel more connected with their culture when they listen to music and watch movies from their own homeland. What I think defines it boldly in the Western World is simply the fact that it is foreign. It is in a different language and contains different looking people than your average white Americans. Additionally, there are many more South Asians in the Western world now than there were before, so if a significant amount of the population gets crazed about something, it often attracts attention from others to see what they're so crazed about. This is one thing that would help the Bollywood industry become more defined in the Western world. Additionally, these days people are more open to foreign things, things from different countries. In their explorations of different cultures, I believe that there are many who find the Bollywood industry interesting and so they spread the word around, attracting more attention to it and making it even more well-known.
8) I've learned so far that Bollywood music is a significant part of South Asian culture, even here in NYC where there are neighborhoods like "Little India" in Jackson Heights that have special music/movie businesses selling primarily Bollywood merchandise. How important is it for you to have this culture a part of you life in new york?
Having a special community that follows the Bollywood industry right here in New York is actually a very good feeling. They are all people I can relate to as we are all attached to India in some sort of way and we all know about Bollywood. It's nice to be able to talk about your own culture with someone who follows it and understands it.