Split Personalities

As a second-generation American, I often feel conflicted about my cultural identity. While I want to blend into American society, I still want to preserve some of my South Asian roots. This "split personality" has caused me a considerable amount of angst throughout the years.

But as I've grown older, I've realized that I don't need to choose one or the other. Both aspects of my identity go hand in hand to form my unique personality—one that I've come to cherish. My uncle's jokes in Punjabi make me laugh just as hard as Jon Stewart does each night on TV, and I can savor chicken tikka with as much delight as I do a juicy hamburger. I celebrate my unique blend of cultural connections, and that's what we hope to do at Nirali.

This month's issue features several stories about South Asian Americans who blend their cultural identities to deliver the best version of themselves. Navi Rawat capitalizes on her multi-ethnic looks to play both Indian and non-Indian roles. Sandhya Jain of Xari Couture revitalizes the arts and crafts of South Asia by re-inventing them with a western flair. Shobha Tummala takes an ancient beauty tradition to Manhattan.

But I suspect Navi, Sandhya and Shobha are not in a league of their own. I know Nirali readers master this balancing act each day and give back to the community in countless ways. And that is the best part about my job—learning about these stories and being able to share them with you.

Ismat Sarah Mangla
Editor-in-Chief