From The Peopling of New York City
1) Could you tell me about yourself? Your age, current location, ethnicity/race… Were you born here in the U.S. or elsewhere, coming from an immigrant background?
I currently live in East Elmhurst, New York. I am seventeen years old. I was born in Sylhet, Bangladesh, which is for the most part, a mountainous region that borders Bangladesh and India. My paternal grandmother, whom my family never saw, was from northeast India. While my paternal grandfather was from Bangladesh. My maternal grandparents are from a different region of Bangladesh, who speak a different dilect from my father's side of the family. However, my maternal grandfather is an Arab decent who was born and raised in Bangladesh. I emigrated to the United States when I was five years old with my mom and two older sisters. This is the first time I met my father since the age of one, because he lived abroad to financially support us back home.
2) Now, the reason I chose to interview you was because I heard you are an avid listener of Bollywood music. So, how would you describe Bollywood music? Can you compare it to any other genre of music?
Bollywood music like most other music has all types of genres. "Bollywood music" is just a term that broadly identifies the music that is played in the bollywood industry's films, since most songs (not necessarily hindi music and not necessarily music from India) are used as an essential part of bollywood movies. I mentioned that the songs are not always hindi or music from composers and singers of India because the bollywood industry has reached to all parts of the world, which is why bollywood producers are making contract with famous singers from different parts of the world. For example, recently for the movie Gangster, the producers made a deal with a bengali rockstar named James to sing for compose and sing for the music portion of the movie. And similarly, Atif Aslam is a pop singer from Pakistan, who has also worked with few bollywood movies. (By the way, Atif Aslam's bollywood hit albums were Doorie, Pehli Nazar Mein, and Tere Bin.)
It is hard to come up with a general description of bollywood music, because there are thousands of songs from all types of genres. However, Bollywood music is mostly entertaining, though there are many sorrow songs. Mostly all bollywood music are accompanied with an appealing choreographed dance in each and every movie.
3) I see… So when and how were you introduced to Bollywood music? Was it through friends, family, or others? And if it was through friends, are they of the same ethnicity as yourself, or something else?
Well, growing up in a Bengali household with two older sisters made me a fan of Bollywood music. Going grocery shopping with my parents to Jackson Heights, New York (also known as , "little India"), visiting Bangladesh, visting the Middle East, and being around friends from all types of ethnicity who listen to bollywood music have all influenced me to listen to this particular kind of music. It shocked me to see Bollywood music's impact, when I visited parts of Europe and the Middle East. Not only were the songs on different channels, but there were also Bollywood actors and actresses appearing on talk shows, films, and commercials in other portions of the world.
4) OK, since you were introduced to Bollywood music through family and friends, would it be safe to say that you all listen to this music altogether? In other words, is Bollywood music used as a social component in your life? Also, do you find it easier to relate to other people who listen to the same Bollywood music as you, or do you listen to it usually by yourself?
To some extent, Bollywood music is used as a social component in my life and makes it easier to relate to an individual because of the common similarity that is found. But that does not mean that everything is common among us because as I stated before, people of all religions, ethnicity, and race listen to Bollywood music. In both my sisters' Huldi parties, I danced to a few choreographed songs from Bollywood movies that had a wedding theme. (By the way, a Huldi party is like a Bachelorette party, which is held before the wedding. This is a party where everyone sings, dances, and has fun. It’s a party that derives from Hindu culture, which a lot people in Bangladesh follow, even though majority of Bangladesh is Muslim.)
I also watch Bollywood music videos to keep myself updated with the latest fashion trends, so I can buy them and wear my new outfits to an upcoming social gathering. So, these are ways Bollywood music has influenced my life.
5) Where do you get your music from? Do you buy it, get it from friends, for example? But, if you buy it, where do you buy your music?
Now a days, I rarely buy it from the stores. I usually buy them online. However, once in a while I buy them from many of the music stores in Jackson Heights, New York.
6) So, who are some of your favorite Bollywood artists? Songs, albums? Do you have any suggestions?
Yes, I do! [She shows me a couple of YouTube links on the internet]
I love Kal Ho Na Ho’s soundtrack, especially the song, “Mahive” and “Kal Ho Na Ho.”
I love the traditional dance from Devdas's soundtrack. Here’s the video on Youtube…
And this was the first hindi movie I ever watched.
"lal dupatta" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11D77eylgPg&feature=related
"Na Tum Jano Na Hum" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCFTM_RM4YQ&feature=related
"Kajra Re" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1L7IOh2J0cs&feature=related
"Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCNz1nzQB7M&feature=related
"har dil jo Pyar Karega" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvN-vJSTiDM
--Edamasco 00:53, 6 April 2009 (UTC)