From The Peopling of New York City
Interview Transcript
What is your name, age, nationality, and neighborhood of residence?
My name is Samantha Shetty. Im 21 years old and from India. I live in Kendall Park, New Jersey.
Where you born in America? If not, when did you (or your family) immigrate?
My parents were born in India. Im first generation American.
What is your role in this club? How long have you been a member?
Im one of the many members that uses this meeting place to relax and hang out, but I play an very active role in the team’s dance team. I started being part of this club freshman year… and now I’m a senior. I spend about an hour a day here after classes.
What drew you to this organization? Why do you feel comfortable hanging out here? I had other Indian friends who were part of it, and it was almost a guaranteed group of friends for me. The club room always has some kind of music playing, and people playing games, eating, or talking. I guess I feel comfortable ‘cause its become a little community where you know everyone.
What are the common ties that the members share? Well, technically, you can say we all share the same background. But really, it comes down to the fact that we deal with the same issues at home, listen to similar music, and enjoy each other’s company. We often talk about where to find the real good Indian food in New York.
What common activities does the club organizes/ take part in? We have annual events. Were planning for the formal at the beginning of May. Everyone pitches in for that. Its really a collaborative event. People recommend food, cheap places to buy costumes, and most importantly, everyone shares their music. The formal’s really all about the music and dance. Its cool to see it all pull together.
Tell me more about what your expect this formal to come out? The 3 clubs, the India, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi clubs are setting up the event. They did it for the last 3 years so its become kind of expected here at Hunter. Its just a way to get a lot of people from the community together, as far as colleges. We have people from Baruch, Stony Brook, and obviously Hunter coming. Its just a day to have fun.
So would you consider the formal a celebration of your ethnicity? Oh yea, of course. Its all about pride. But the DJ plays both western and cultural stuff. We do have some performances that are fusion. We have the North Indian Punjabi dances, Bollywood and Western hip-hop.
Do you or your friends spend time in Jackson Heights? What do you do there? I used to go there a lot more when I lived in Queens. Mostly to buy clothes. That’s the best place to go. But when I did go there, it was with my family. We would always eat dinner at one of the restaurants, and look through the clothing shops all day.
Are you exposed to traditional South Asian music? Where do you encounter it mostly? I took classical dance growing up (along with other dance genres of course). So that’s where most of my exposure came from. Also, at home, my parents and their friends listen to classical music whenever they get the chance. You also have times that friends are talking about a movie that just came out…and the songs that come along with it of course, both classical and more dance-like tunes. Oh, and there’s the internet too.
Do you enjoy the fusion of contemporary and classic ethnic music? Yea, I think that its important to fuse the times and styles together. As long as people don’t lose touch with the original pieces of art. I like classical music the most, personally. I’ve had the best experiences performing it on stage. Ive done a lot of shows in my life, and sat through many hours of costume and makeup in preparation. There’s so many layers to the traditional clothes you perform in...the hair…and the flowers…and eye makeup…bangles… it all adds to the look and feel. I don’t mind it at all.
What are some of your favorite artists? I don’t know if I have a favorite artist, but I love Indian music from the 50’s and 60’s. They use a lot more of sitar and have a lot more classical beats, instead of the fusion you hear now. I tend to like more classical songs, and classical composers which are no longer alive. There music is still very much alive though, its epic music.
Are you familiar with any dance or music lessons offered at temples or community centers in Jackson Heights? Not specifically in Jackson Heights, but I took dance classes at a couple of centers in Flushing and Hillside, Queens. They were more dance studios, than religious centers. I knew one of the teachers at one studio, who was actually an actress back in India. She started this little studio and I was one of her first students. Im really happy I stayed with her a long time…there is this authentic feel about her choreography.
So do you know of any youth centers in Jackson Heights, where community kids can spend their time? Not any that I was personally part of, but there is SAYA (South Asian Youth Association) that’s based in Elmhurst. I remember in highschool (I went to Cardozo High School in Bayside), a couple of my friends were part of that. Most of the people there were high school age.
Do you think its important to have centers such as these, and organizations that center around a common ethnic identity, such as your club? Of course. Its part of the appeal that attracts so many Desis to Jackson Heights in the first place. To try to gain their culture back and be around people. You wouldn’t want to lose that. I wouldn’t say that Jackson Heights is the best place to regain your culture (It’s a little too crowded, and too many stores), but if you do want cultural jewelry, that IS the place to go. I mean, in NJ, there’s Oak Tree Road, and there’s a similar thing going on there… so Jackson Heights isn’t the only option for that kind of exposure.
Do you ever feel any pressure from your parents or relatives to participate in ethnic activities? Well, my mom was very into classical dancing. So as a kid, she wanted me to start that too. But I wasn’t forced at all. I ended up loving it, and just stuck with it. I guess if she didn’t give me that initial push, I wouldn’t have found out I was good at it (laughs).
Do you play any instruments? Yes, I play two actually, the guitar and piano.
Are you a fan of Bollywood productions? If so, who do you usually see them with? I definitely am. Thats probably because I’ve been learning Bollywood dancing since I was a young girl. My parents usually rent them on video, so I see the films with family or friends at home.
How do you feel about the song sequences in Bollywood movies? If there were no long songs, it wouldn’t be a Bollywood movie. Its as simple as that. I have people ask me how I could sit through that, but it makes the film genre unique. No one complains about American musicals like Moulin Rouge, and Bollwood films are just Indian versions of those. Some times there are way to many songs, and they’re just unnecessary, but most of the times, the songs are what make the movies box office hits.
Do you feel like music creates a common ground for you and your peers? Oh yes, defiantly. It’s a release for a lot of things. For me personally, Im not a party person, so I get rid of tension that way.
(Interview conducted by Julita Mienko)