Blog: Celebrating South Asian heritage

Written by: Ishika and Anvi

South Asian Heritage Month is celebrated annually during July and is dedicated to highlighting the history and culture of South Asian communities across  the UK. This month honours the heritage of eight nations in South Asia (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, The Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka).

This year’s theme focuses on ‘Unity in Diversity’, celebrating the diversity in languages, faith, and histories between these cultures, while encompassing the shared communities and experiences that bring people together.

At the University of Birmingham, South Asian heritage is an important part of campus and university life for many home and international students. Cultural societies host regular gathering and events to bring people together for cultural celebrations and create a sense of community. Students bring their kitchen resources and spices with them to add their South Asian flavour to their food – a taste that reminds them of home. As a rich cultural city, Birmingham hosts festivities and musical events across town as well, shaping student experiences.

Ishika talks about living in a globalised world and connecting with this year's theme

I have always been a part of South Asian culture. Having been brought up in India, I grew up learning the dances that unite, the songs that connect, the art that resonates, and the literature that brings the South Asian communities together. However, I also witnessed how cultures shape discord – how it breaks communities along the very line of diversity that it celebrates. At the heart of this contradiction, lies this year’s theme “Unity in Diversity”. 

As an international student, this theme touches upon almost every aspect of my life. I have been living, studying, and working alongside friends from different parts of South Asia and it is always fun to bond over common childhood experiences while learning about the variations in similar cultural practices that we share as well as the vastly different customs that we follow. Hearing a familiar language being spoken at work, sharing a homemade meal with a flatmate, or even quietly listening to nostalgic music with a study partner has helped me find a sense of belonging when I felt lost. I have also made friends from other parts of Asia, Europe and the United States who have shared my love for the vibrant jewellery, fashion, cinema, and music from South Asia.  

To me, heritage and culture is less about where we come from and more about how we choose to celebrate it together. It is a globalised world and, in this world, where the currents of culture flow across countries, I believe that the best way to celebrate South Asian Heritage Month is through unity.

Anvi looks at how she has reconnected with her heritage since starting University

Growing up as a British Indian, I never really understood where I fit in. I was too British for my family in India but too Indian to fit in Western culture in London. Somewhere in this diaspora, I grew up eating pasta for lunch but roti and daal for dinner. When I entered Secondary School, I purposely taught myself Western music so that on school trips I could have the same playlists as everyone else on the coach. I became immersed in Western culture to fit in with those around me, forgetting my roots.

Slowly, over the years, I’ve reconnected with South Asian music and films to the extent it is now my preference. There were very few people before university who understood this side of my cultural heritage and its importance to me. When I joined the University of Birmingham, I met some incredible people at Indian society who shared the same interests as me  and from there I got some of my closest friends. I brought my culture with me to my kitchen halls with my traditional stell box of spices – something that I hadn’t seen any of my other flatmates bring with them. I learnt my best to try cooking Indian food for the first time away from home – thankfully I never set off the fire alarm – but it was the best I could do. I’ve been able to visit Bollywood Orchestra concerts in the city centre with my friends as well.

Sometimes, there was an expectation of going into a traditional, STEM career pathway. For me, I understood where that pressure came from in the community, but I wanted something different at university. Now, I’m Liberal Arts and Sciences student, and breaking that cycle meant I was able to pursue other creative interests including marketing and social media.

Everyone’s experience is different but this month, it’s about celebrating those diverse experiences, and learning and strengthening our bonds with each other. At the University of Birmingham, students can celebrate their heritage and feel a true sense of belonging in the community this South Asian Heritage Month.